COVID-19: Can I ride my motorcycle?

We’re currently living through a very strange time. The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has resulted in unprecedented changes to the way we live our lives.

The good news for Australians, is that the curve is beginning to flatten, which is the first step towards getting our lives back on track.

In the meantime, however, we need to follow government and health advice to help stop the spread. This means staying home as much as possible and only venturing out for essential tasks.

But for us two-wheel enthusiasts, there is one big question – can we ride our motorcycles? It is a murky question, with very vague answers. Each state has its own guidelines and regulations in place during the COVID-19 crisis, so getting a clear answer is difficult.

Based on each states restrictions, here is what we can gather, although be aware that it is a fluid situation and rules and restrictions change daily.

Victoria

It is currently compulsory for Victorians to stay at home unless they have a valid reason not to. The Victorian government lists only four valid reasons to leave home. These are to:

• Shop for food and other necessary goods and services
• Access medical services or provide caregiving
• Attend work or education where you can’t do these from home
• Exercise

As motorcycling is a form of transport, riding your bike for one of the first three reasons is acceptable. Social visits are not accepted, so you can’t go for a ride to visit your mates.

It is unclear whether motorcycling can be considered a form of exercise, but it is unlikely. And while you may be able to ride to an exercise location, keep in mind that some Victorians have been penalised for ‘exercising’ too far from their neighbourhood.

If you are riding on private property, or you don’t ride too far from your house, then you may have a case to argue. But we don’t recommend testing that. In addition, motorcycle parks and tracks are not considered essential and are currently closed. Caravan and holiday parks are also closed, and camping is off limits too.

If you are still working and your job involves riding a motorcycle (i.e mechanics, posties, food delivery etc.) then it is acceptable.

For more information, visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au.

New South Wales

The regulations in New South Wales are much the same as Victoria. You can only leave home for one of the given valid reasons. These are to:

• Work (where you can’t work remotely)
• Attend school or an educational institution
• Shop for food and essential services
• Get medical care or supplies
• Exercise

You can ride if it is for one of the valid reasons. The Premier of NSW stated on April 27 that motorcycling is a form of exercise.

Recreational motorcycle facilities are now closed, as are camping grounds and caravan parks.

If your job involves riding a motorcycle, then it is acceptable.

For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au.

Queensland

Queensland’s restrictions are similar to Victoria and New South Wales. You can only leave home for absolutely essential reasons, including:

• Obtaining essential goods and services
• Receive medical treatment or health care services
• Exercise
• Work or volunteer where it can’t be done at home

One key difference is that Queenslanders can make social visits, provided there are no more than 2 people that aren’t residents in the house.

You can ride your motorcycle for one of the valid reasons. Various sources have suggested that motorcycling is considered exercise in Queensland, although it is still a very grey area and we don’t recommend it.

Recreational motorcycle facilities are closed.

Once again, if your work involves riding a motorcycle, then you are free to continue.

UPDATE: From May 2, the Queensland government will easy COVID-19 restrictions. As part of this, motorcycling for leisure purposes will be allowed. The distance you can travel from home has been extended, although its not clear what this distance was in the first place. Social distancing rules still apply.

For more information, visit www.covid19.qld.gov.au.

South Australia

South Australia requires anyone entering the state to self-isolate for two weeks, but while many business and services are closed, there doesn’t appear to be any specific restrictions on leaving your home.

The state government strongly advises people to stay at home other than to exercise and obtain essential items and services, but this isn’t enforced like the above states.

Travel within the state is discouraged but it isn’t banned. Camp grounds and caravan parks remain open, but people are encouraged to limit non-essential travel.

Motor racing has not been banned, but Motorcycling Australia has postponed or cancelled all of its sanctioned events. Outdoor motorcycle facilities can remain open provided they follow social distancing measures.

In essence, you are free to continue riding your motorcycle, but it is strongly recommend you do so only for essential reasons.

For more information, visit www.covid-19.sa.gov.au.

Western Australia

Western Australia has strict border closures. No one can enter Western Australia unless an exemption has been granted by the government.

Travel outside your regional boundary is also restricted. You are not permitted to leave your designated region without an exemption. These regions are: Perth and Peel (one region), South West, Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid-West, Wheatbelt, Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley. Stronger restrictions apply for the Esperance, Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

The state government strongly discourages leaving home for non-essential reasons, but the police are not targeting those who maintain good social distancing.

You can ride your motorcycle within your regional boundary if you have a reason to, and are practicing proper social distancing. Public gatherings have been restricted to no more than two people. Most recreational motorcycle facilities are closed.

There are hefty on-the-spot fines for individuals and business who do not comply with social distancing measures or are in breach of government restrictions.

UPDATE: Restrictions in WA have eased. You can now go camping where no other accommodation options are available. Groups of 10 people can now gather. Motorcycling is not specifically mentioned under the new relaxed restrictions, but you are perfectly fine to go for a ride, provided you don't leave your regional area.

For more information, visit www.wa.gov.au.

Tasmania

Like Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Tasmania has issued an order to stay at home unless leaving for a valid reason. These reasons include:

• Shop for essential food, supplies or services
• Receive medical care
• For compassionate needs or social support
• Exercise
• Attend work, volunteering, school and study, where it cannot be done remotely
• Take a pet to the veterinarian
• Perform essential maintenance on another premises owned by them

You can ride your motorcycle for one of the valid reasons, but it is prohibited to gather with more than one other person not from your household.

However, unlike the other states, Tasmania specifically says that motorcycling is considered a form of transport and cannot be used for exercise.

Caravan and camp grounds are closed, as are recreational motorcycle facilities.

If your work involves riding a motorcycle, you are free to continue.

For more information, visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au.

Northern Territory

All Northern Territory borders (road, rail, sea and air) have strict controls. Non-essential travellers must quarantine for 14 days in a location designated by the authorities. If you arrive after April 3, you will have to cover accommodation expenses. NT and Federal police are enforcing these restrictions.

Travel within the Territory is strongly discouraged and non-essential travel through remote communities is restricted. But you can travel main roads and stop in townships for essential reasons, provided you supply a travel plan (template found online) to a police officer at the entry point. More information about this can be found online.

Many businesses and services are now closed, although there doesn’t appear to be any specific stay-at-home restrictions within your local area. It is strongly recommended you stay at home though except for essential reasons. You can ride your motorcycle for essential reasons and for work purposes.

It is not clear is motorcycling can be considered exercise, but most recreational motorcycling facilities are now closed. Campgrounds, multi-day walks, swimming spots and high-use day areas are also closed.

For more information, visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT strongly advises staying at home unless you are shopping for essentials, receiving medical care, for compassionate reasons, exercising or for work and education if they can’t be done remotely.

You can ride your motorcycle for one of those reasons, although it’s unclear if motorcycling is considered exercise.

Non-essential businesses and services have been closed and non-essential gatherings are forbidden.

For more information visit, www.covid19.act.gov.au.

In Summary

The bottom line is that you shouldn’t be riding your motorcycle unless it is for essential reasons. Not only will staying home help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, but reducing the risk of injury will ensure health services are not overwhelmed. The more we do now, the sooner we can get back to normal operations.

If you do have to ride, please follow social distancing measures, and check out our guide to safe riding during the COVID-19 crisis.

If you’ve got a case of the no-motorcycle blues, then there is plenty you can do to keep yourself sane during lockdown. There are also plenty of motorcycle-related documentaries you can watch.

And bikesales.com.au is still powering ahead, so why not look for your dream bike, so you have something to ride when it’s all done?

If you are unsure about whether any restrictions affect you, refer to the information provided by your state or territory. And if you are feeling unwell, or suspect you may have coronavirus, follow government advice and seek medical help.

Related Reading:
Safe motorcycling during COVID-19 crisis
Keeping sane during lockdown
Motorcycle related docos to watch in lockdown
Buying second-hand during COVID-19 crisis