After a few months of strict lockdown laws, the NSW government has moved to clarify COVID-19 social distancing guidelines for motorcycling.
After Queensland and Victoria announced they would permit recreational drives and activities by the end of the week, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian followed and clarified the state’s restrictions this morning.
The Premier told 2GB radio NSW would not need to make any changes to its COVID-19 laws on driving and riding.
“[The police] haven’t booked anybody for riding a motorbike, because that is akin to riding an exercise bike,” she said.
“We’ve chosen not to define what an essential thing is to buy – it’s up to you.”
This statement was met with confusion from NSW residents, especially those who had been pulled up by NSW police and questioned on why they were driving.
The ‘Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 under the Public Health Act 2010’ did not list motorcycling riding and casual driving as a reasonable excuse.
(Source: NSW Health, 2020)
Yamaha Australia media communications manager Chris Dobie said the change may be good news for the Australian motorcycle industry.
“A lot of businesses have been struggling late, whilst we were lucky enough to still be able to sell motorcycles, the show rooms who have to abide by the COVID-19 rules have been struggling a little bit,” Mr Dobie said.
“With the green light to go riding again, it will be good to see people out riding their motorbikes again stimulating the economy, buying fuel and coffees from local cafes whilst out on their rides.”
While it is permitted to ride your motorcycle, bike riders have been reminded that Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops remains partly blocked to deter large numbers of people converging on the popular tourist spot.