Committed to keeping you safe. Committed to the event. Committed to our community.
Bike to the Beach's Socially Distanced Bike Ride Supporting Autism and Disabilities.
As an organization that prides itself on bringing people together, we face a unique challenge at this unprecedented time of social distancing. We are committed to our Bike to the Beach events for two principle reasons:
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- Our non-profit partners need the funding our events provide. We are determined to be a fundraising resource to the autism and disabilities community. Our non-profit partners rely on our events to meet their operational funding needs, and this year, more than ever they are relying on that funding. Many local spring and summer fundraising initiatives were cancelled at a time when service providers were restructuring their service model. We are committed to hosting our charity rides to meet those providers’ needs. Learn more about our partners’ needs and the impact COVID-19 had on fundraising at our blog.
- We believe we can put on a safe, sterile, and top rate event. Modified outdoor events are conducive to social distancing. Our participants are stretched out over 100 miles of open roads, in fresh air with ample ventilation. The natural timing and spacing at our events allows us to focus on the few times and places where groups congregate. We will provide the best and safest strategies available.
As we approach our 2020 season, we will continue to finalize details and expectations of the event, but we want to share some of the strategies we are exploring. We hope these details will help you envision how we can safely Bike to the Beach.
1) Contactless Packet Pick-Up:
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- We will extend pick-up times, mitigating the need for all participants to converge in one time slot.
- We are offering packet mailing the week of the event, at the cost of shipping.
2) Personal Protection Equipment for Every Rider
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- We will provide participants with a reusable facemask and a personal hand sanitizer bottle.
- We will provide additional facemasks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant at each rest stop and gathering area.
3) Socially Distanced Starting Line
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- The start will have safety precautions similar to hospitals and doctors’ offices: required hand sanitizer and facemasks, symptom questionnaire and infrared temperature scan.
- We are exploring numerous starting line crowd mitigation practices:
- Waves –2 different starting line times or 2 different locations, reducing gathering size in half, quarters or more
- Rolling – extended starting windows allowing participants can check in and launch without waiting for one official starting time
- Scheduled –groups of 10-25 riders starting in 15 to 20-minute windows
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4) Socially Distanced Rest-stops
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- Color-coded groupings – Each rider will be given a colored-coded wristband at each rest stop. Participants in each color group will only use designated areas and supplies. This limits the number participants congregating and interacting with any set of supplies.
- Hand sanitizing – Each rider will be given personal hand sanitizer for use on the open road, and each rest stop will have additional hand sanitizer available when riders enter the rest stop.
- Sanitizing wipes – All drink coolers will have sanitizing wipes next to them.
- All volunteers will be provided with facemasks, gloves, and sanitizing equipment.
5) “Mask Required” Locations
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- Riders will be required to wear masks at the Starting Line, Finish Line, and bus transfer locations. There will be ample space to spread out supplies so that individuals may self-distance.
6) A Socially Distanced Finish Line
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- We are exploring larger finish-line locations (such as the beach or large fields) that will allow participants and supporters to spread out.
- A socially distanced finish-line sequence, similar to the starting line
- Family and friend limitations at the finish line
- Family and friend will engage in the same percautions offered at the starting-line, similar to hospitals and doctors’ offices: required hand sanitizer and face masks, symptom questionnaire and infrared temperature scan
- To limit the number of individuals who will be on buses, participants will be encouraged to coordinate their own transportation away from the finish-line.
- If provided, busses may operate at limited capacity and in accordance with state-law or local ordinances.
7) Bay Bridge Transfer (DC and MD Only)
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- The Bay Bridge transfer will only occur if state-law or local ordinances allow groups of 25 or more gather. If groups of 25 or more are not permitted, we will offer 100-mile, 50-mile and 25-mile routes that will all begin on the Eastern shore. If such gatherings are permitted, …
- Large loading site or multiple loading sites for the transfer
- Each bus loading station will have its own food and water supplies so that groups do not need to cross or share items
- School busses will be the mode of transportation
- Only one participant will be allowed on each bench seat.
- All windows will be fully opened
- All participants will be required to wear a mask and sanitize their hands before boarding
- Individuals utilizing their own transportation will have their own designated pick-up and drop-off areas.
- Large loading site or multiple loading sites for the transfer
- The Bay Bridge transfer will only occur if state-law or local ordinances allow groups of 25 or more gather. If groups of 25 or more are not permitted, we will offer 100-mile, 50-mile and 25-mile routes that will all begin on the Eastern shore. If such gatherings are permitted, …
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We will continue to make changes to our event protocol as CDC, state and local guidelines are released. The safety of our participants and volunteers is always our primary concern. It is because of your commitment to the cause that we can support families touched by autism and disabilities.
If you have any questions about this year’s ride or how we plan to create a safe, socially distanced Bike to the Beach: