In Australia this week a mountain biker was fined $1,652 AUD (about $1,000 USD) for driving to go mountain biking. Police stopped the solo mountain biker, with his bike on the back of his car, on the freeway and issued the fine on the spot.
The rider was charged with “unnecessary travel,” though the fine was later rescinded after the incident was made public. Police in Victoria, Australia have issued 114 fines for similar violations so far, and it appears in cases such as this one they may be making examples of violators to deter others.
In other news, a mountain biker in North Carolina had to be rescued after a crash on the popular Kitsuma mountain bike trail in Pisgah National Forest. More than 30 first responders spent three hours assisting in the emergency. The male rider was eventually transported to Mission Trauma Center in Asheville with non-life-threatening injuries.
Finally, a preliminary Dutch study found that the stream of breath and other bodily fluids left behind by a cyclist riding hard along a line (like on singletrack) persists for at least 20 meters (65 feet). As such, study authors advise leaving much more than the recommended six feet of separation when biking, and passing oncoming riders at an angle whenever possible. The study also notes this stream of particles could stick to clothing and build up with each person passed, suggesting it could be helpful to avoid wiping one’s face with a shirt for example, and taking care when removing and washing clothes.
Note, however, that the Dutch study was not about Coronavirus specifically and it’s unknown exactly how this might affect transmission of the virus.
Sheesh, I get the ticketing and limiting unnecessary travel (which mountain biking kind of is now), but a thousand dollar fine at a time of economic instability is extreme.
Gunnison County is prepared to issue a $5,000 fine and up to 18 months in jail to out of town tourists entering the county. https://www.westernslopenow.com/news/local-news/gunnison-county-non-residents-tourists-must-stay-out-violators-receive-jail-fine/?fbclid=IwAR2qgS_3Te94vZMurSh4hPfmBxxyYUkPVXkHc–bTqwDUO5wdOn3xH5QHP0
I can’t speak for Australia but in the US, it’s all government overreach that will almost surely be proven unconstitutional under review. I worked in law enforcement for 31 years and for the life of me, I can’t figure out how this is legal. I obviously have numerous friends still in law enforcement here in SoCal and even their department orders regarding the “lockdown” have stated to enforce the law with “compassion and education” as it is NOT enforceable by police action.
@Greg heil – at a time when we’re all told to be less selfish, while needing to get as far from others as possible, it’s pretty jarring to read a line like “Officials are also worried about out-of-county residents from lower elevations isolating at their vacation homes, preferring most people to stay away from the county entirely.”
I guess not all of us have to make allowances for the greater good.
A lot about ego amongst leaders in some tourist communities.
Speaking as an Australian, the Victorian Police have erred in judgement a few times. The first and one that received the most press, was when they pulled over and fined a learner driver who was out with their parent (in Aust you have to undertake a certain amount of driving hours under supervision of a licensed driver before you can obtain your driving license) having a driving lesson, they called it non-essential travel, some heavy press and they dropped the offence!