Can you ride your bike in counties with shelter-in-place orders?

Biking is allowed with shelter-in-place orders in six Bay Area counties. Biking is allowed with shelter-in-place orders in six Bay Area counties. Photo: Erik Isakson/Getty Images/Tetra Images RF Photo: Erik Isakson/Getty Images/Tetra Images RF Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Can you ride your bike in counties with shelter-in-place orders? 1 / 48 Back to Gallery

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After shelter-in-place orders went into effect at midnight in six Bay Area counties, many people are now trying to sort out what they can and can't do.

Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties are asking residents to stay home except for essential needs, such as to get food or go to the doctor. Stepping outside for fresh air or to get some exercise on a walk or run is also allowed as long as it's not done in a group, and you stay at least six feet apart from others.

SFGATE has heard from many readers wondering if they're allowed to ride a bike, and we set out to get the answer.

"Biking is OK since it maintains social distancing," Andy Lynch, a spokesperson for San Francisco Mayor London Breed's office, said. "You can do it for exercise or essential needs. But it's the same policy for other outdoor activities. Yes, people should exercise for mental and physical health, but they should maintain social distance of at least six feet from others and not do it in a group. You should wash your hands after the activity."

Lynch added that if you go on a bike ride with another person, it should be someone you're self-quarantining with at home. If it's a person outside your household, you should maintain a distance of six feet.

The shelter-in-place order will remain in effect through April 7. Lynch said while each jurisdiction had to write their own orders, they are all generally the same in each county with a few exceptions that don't impact resident's daily lives. For example, in San Francisco some construction projects have been allowed to resume despite the order.

Find more answers to frequently asked questions about the shelter-in-place orders on SFGATE.

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