Yes, You Can Ride Your Bike

As expected, today the governor announced much stricter quarantine rules to fight the spread of the coronavirus in Wisconsin. The rules cover almost every aspect of daily life, and collectively they amount to a Stay at Home order. Activities deemed essential—going to the grocery store to buy food, for example—are expressly permitted.

So, too, is cycling. Section 11 of the governor’s order defines Essential Activities. Paragraph C reads as follows:

Outdoor activity. To engage in outdoor activity, including visiting public and state parks, provided individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined below. Such activities include, by way of example and without limitation, walking, biking, hiking, or running. Individuals may not engage in team or contact sports such as by way of example and without limitation, basketball, ultimate frisbee, soccer, or football, as these activities do not comply with Social Distancing Requirements. Playgrounds are closed.

State parks and trails are not closed. In fact, you can use them for free.

Washington County parks and trails are not closed. In fact, you can use them for free (though county trails remain off-limits to bicycles because of an old, ill-conceived rule that has nothing to do with the pandemic).

Bike shops are not closed. You can’t use them for free, of course, but Section 13, Paragraph K recognizes them as essential businesses:

Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation. Gas stations; auto and motorcycle supply, repair and sales; boat supply, repair, and sales; and bicycle supply, repair, and sales.

Yes, you can ride your bike. Get outside and engage in healthy activities to keep your body strong, your head clear, and your spirits high.