Pandemic Safety for Bike Racks and Amenities

Physical distancing measures are key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. But some of us still need to get to work, and all of us have essential errands to run—to the grocery store, or to drop off food for a sick friend, for instance. Done with care, bicycling offers a safe and healthy way to get where we need to go, as well as a way to bolster your physical and mental well-being, including boosting your immunity.  The following is a list of steps to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 through the shared use of bicycle storage facilities.

Bike Storage Areas

• Convert any doors cyclists must use to self-opening, preferably non-touch systems (keycard / fob).
• Provide signage indicating the maximum number of people that should be in a bike room at any time, based on the ability to remain 2 metres apart.  If cyclists outside the storage area can't see in, advise them to look or ask to confirm how many are there before entering. 
• Mark distances on the floor near the bike room entry where people should stand while waiting to park their bikes.
• Provide hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes, in bike parking rooms so people can disinfect their hands, handlebars, helmets, locks, other things they may touch which may be touched by others.  Post clear signage advising users to clean items they touch, and that others may touch, after facility use.  
• Include bike storage and change areas in high frequency COVID cleaning routines, especially racks,  non-automatic doors, and other high-touch items.    

Cyclist Change Rooms

• Implement COVID policies for cyclist changing areas as you do for washrooms, per Workplace BC guidance. 
• Provide signage indicating the maximum number of people that should be in a change room at any time.  
• Have auto door openers for cyclist change areas, and install hand sanitizer near the door.  
• Label items which should be disinfected before and after use (eg: Hair Dryers), and provide sanitizing wipes and information on how best this is done.

Bike Commuting Tips

• Carry sanitizer for your hands, handlebars, and lock (after it contacts a bike rack), especially if you use a shared bike. Hang a bottle of sanitizer on your bike.  
• Be mindful while bicycling about avoiding touching your face—a challenging task when cycling with factors such as sweat and dust.  Wear cycling gloves.  
• Keep 2 metres of distance from pedestrians and other cyclists as you pass, and don’t “draft” (ride closely behind) other cyclists. Choose less crowded routes if possible.
• Cyclist-operated crossing light buttons are touched a lot - protect yourself when using.    
• When you get home, wash your hands, and throw your gloves in the laundry.
• Enjoy the physical and mental well-being that cycling brings.  

General COVID Safety Guidance

• Provide a written COVID plan for all staff, including HUB Cycling's information about cycling.
• When implementing COVID high-frequency disinfecting plans for your building, include cycling amenities.
• For more and regularly updated general COVID workplace safety information, see Workplace BC's website
• If you need an asssement and recommendations on improving cycling amenities for your building, contact HUB Cycling's Bike Friendly Business program: BFB@bikehub.ca

To download a PDF of this article, click here.

HUB Cycling’s Bike Friendly Business services can guide the expansion and improvement of your building’s cycling facilities. See bikehub.ca/bike-friendly-business-solutions, and contact us at BFB@bikehub.ca.

HUB Cycling thanks the BC Centre for Disease Control for advising this document.