The collective outdoor community is built on the same thing: that amazing feeling of freedom. Whether it’s taking your electric scooter around town, a day-hike in the mountains, or an expedition around the world, outdoor enthusiasts like to push limits. So, clearly, staying home is a tall order.
But, in the midst of the largest public health crisis in modern history, our collective behavior needs to change, and change quickly. Politics aside, a near consensus of epidemiologists (experts on the spread of disease), agree that we necessarily
need to isolate ourselves to stem the spread of COVID-19, for weeks if not months. The only exceptions to this rule are significant others and housemates. And that’s it. These limitations come with
massive economic implications, among other complicated challenges. Many people are hoping to stay healthy and still get outside within the sedentary constraints of the current lock-down. Responsible adventuring and electric scooters are trending, but what does it really mean? Here are our three new rules to stay ethically active in the outdoors, helping to keep you and others safe in the age of the coronavirus.
Whether you use your electric scooter, walk, hike, bike, or ski, the important caveat is that you should enjoy the activity by yourself or with just one other, and only if you live with that person. Running shouldn’t be an excuse to catch up with a friend or a good way to date your Bumble match. Just a healthy break from reality that still requires you to stay six feet away from everyone, even while outside.
Stay local
Now is a great time to try exploring your own neighborhood. Travel increases our ability to spread an infection, often putting smaller communities with fewer resources at risk. Even driving to a state park an hour from your house increases the chance you run into others on the trail. The best thing we all can do is keep it ultra-local for the time being.
Avoid crowds
This means avoiding popular trails, parks, and running routes, and trying to run, walk, or bike at less busy times. The purpose for avoiding crowds is pretty clear: staying six feet apart from everyone else is impossible when a destination is crowded, regardless of the effort to get there. That advice extends logically to popular climbing routes and bouldering crags. While you’re at it, try to avoid trailhead railings, benches, and public water fountains, because they likely have been touched by hundreds if not thousands of others. So when you jump on your electric scooter or pack your gear for a day outside, don’t forget that hand sanitizer too!
