Yes.
At the time
Cycling Weekly discussed the government rules & guidelines which was more in terms of time, distance,etc which was appropriate for road riders. (
Cycling Weekly does not address MTB riders).
The FRA guidelines were more in terms of risk of injury on fells and subsequently needing rescue and hospital treatment ...and the impression this would give to the public.
The infamous "hour" of exercise was only ever uttered in a live TV programme by an unthinking Michael Gove who waffled when he answered a question he was unprepared for.
The use of "area" and "local" is deliberately vague because the government know that the more specific they are then the more problems they cause for themselves with people pointing out the problems of being too specific.
I recognise "exercise" suggests going out (although I have a rowing machine!) but the spread of Covid is more because of people going out and
meeting other people who have Covid than going for long walks on their own in the country side but avoiding cliff edges.
I only ever cycle from my garden gate but once people start driving to their exercise that really is a slippery slope