Boris on a bike 7 miles from home – Is it a sign?

Boris on a bike 7 miles from home - Is it a sign

Though not on a visit to a castle to test his eyesight, as his recent advisor DC was, Boris has been seen with his bicycle clips at the Olympic park some seven miles from home. The questions raised are, did he cycle there, or was he driven, and what constitutes local exercise?

And in a sense that is the problem, interpreting the rules, as the pandemic is changing the normal flow of our daily activities. When there seems no defining rule book, with over eager bobbies now looking to slap £200 fines on ladies two looking to exercise together.

In the context of the estate agent and letting agent world, the never-ending changes in government edicts, and the interpretation of these rules is adding further strain to a very challenging period.

Real estate is ‘business as usual’ but with the opposition in government questioning the logic of strangers waltzing around other stranger’s properties in the pursuit of a new place to live, versus the alarming rate of new infections, I think that tightening of the confusion of rules will ratchet up a pace, and real viewings may soon be off the menu.

Maybe Boris just needed some quiet ‘me time.’ Many schooling from home again would certainly like to get on their bikes and be seven miles from home, for a few quiet minutes, but the reality is we are all very much in the thick of it now.

Another element I now see creeping into the pandemic / real estate vector is a worrying stillness, as if everyone is gently holding their breath, there is a perceptible gravity and lack of fun, and many of my extrovert agency friends are very much in hibernating bear mode.

I try to get their spirits up, but I sense that this time around pandemic fatigue, 24/7 News fatigue about the pandemic and a diminishing of their normal privilege’s is taking its toll. On a positive the roll out of the vaccination programme is moving apace, and the days will start to be full of more daylight.

Returning to where I began, like Boris I like to cycle too; though I got a puncture three days ago and have not sorted it, blaming my hectic work schedule.

Maybe tomorrow will be a bit brighter, and maybe tomorrow I will get back on the bike – once I have re-inflated. The question then will be how far can I travel, should I travel and who knows what the rules really are?

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Residential projects remain under pressure

Infrastructure keeps UK construction moving through a sluggish spell Residential and non-residential projects remain under pressure, while infrastructure and utilities work give the industry a much-needed lift The value of underlying work starting on-site during the latest three months declined 2% and stood 18% below last year’s levels. Residential construction starts fell 8% against the…
Read More →
Breaking News

Homebuyers hold tight ahead of Autumn Budget

but should they wait to make their move?   The latest research from Yopa has revealed that mortgage market activity has reversed in recent months, with approvals falling at an average monthly rate of 3.9% over the last four months, having previously increased by an average of 1.5% per month over the previous four months, suggesting…
Read More →
Breaking News

House price growth accelerates in Q2

The latest Property Market Index Review by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that the property market continued to build momentum during the second quarter of 2026, with UK house prices increasing by 1.1%, while London recorded a second consecutive quarter of positive growth.   The Benham and Reeves Market Index Review…
Read More →
Breaking News

House prices hold steady despite impact of higher interest rates

House prices were unchanged in September (0.0%), following a -0.3% fall in August The average property price is now £298,441, compared to £298,395 in August Prices were also unchanged annually (0.0%) compared with September last year Northern Ireland continues to lead UK annual growth, at +7.4% Latest first-time buyer prices reveal what a 2.5% deposit…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 5/10/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Architect-founded KnowYourNest brings property scores into the home search, with a free 1–10 score and full KnowYourNest reports from £9.95 By Author Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR NestLink today launches free NestScore checks and KnowYourNest property intelligence reports for buyers and homeowners across England and Wales.…
Read More →
Breaking News

Gap between house prices and earnings narrows

Gap between house prices and earnings narrows – but higher borrowing costs limit affordability gains UK’s house price to income ratio falls from 7.6 to 7.3, an 11-year low, as earnings continue to outpace house price growth For first-time buyers, homes now cost less than six times earnings, falling from 6.1 to 5.9 However, monthly…
Read More →