New COVID-19 Riding Guidelines for motorcyclists have been published by the Coalition of Motorcycling Organisations.

With lockdown restrictions relaxing, the guidelines provide advice on group riding, and include advice on COVID-safe incident management.

The Vintage Motorcycle Club’s, Roger Bibbings, and IAM RoadSmart’s Head of Riding Standards, Richard Gladman, were lead authors of the updated guidance.

“As the COVID restrictions begin to relax it is important we remember how close we could be to further lockdown restrictions if the infection rate escalates,” said Gladman. “We as motorcyclists are duty bound to help in any way we can, the relaxation has allowed us to gather in small groups as long as we adhere to social distancing rules. The guidance document we have prepared helps with best practice and is intended to help us court the right sort of publicity. Motorcycles are a safe viable form of socially distanced transport but also a great support for mental wellbeing”

Bibbings added: “Although the initial peak has now passed, COVID-19 remains a potentially deadly infection that can be passed on unknowingly to others. These guidelines are designed to help motorcyclists play their part in getting on top of the pandemic. They are relevant even to group rides that happen quite informally but which in practice still need to be led by someone. So ‘decide who is in charge’ and ‘stay COVID safe at all times’ are the two key messages for all motorcyclists who are riding together”.

A full copy of the updated guidance can be found at https://bit.ly/COVIDRideV2