As someone who has been cycling for as long as I can remember, I like to think of myself as a cycling enthusiast and possibly somewhat of expert as it pertains to riding bikes. Over the last 50 years (yikes), I have biked to school, to my friends’ house, biked to work, biked to store, biked to restaurants, and even to the movies
The obvious reason to choose to go by bike vs. car. Bikes are good for the environment, they don’t pollute or consume fossil fuels. Going by bike can reduce your monthly fuel bill, automobile maintenance, and extend the life of your car. You may even be able to reduce your auto insurance, with the reduced annual mileage. Less obvious advantage of commuting by bike is it can sometimes be faster to than by car or public transportation, as finding parking is not an issue, and bike lanes keep you out of waiting in traffic.
I ride all year long, When my daughter was younger, I would take her to preschool by bike trailer, and then on a tandem when she got older. Later, she would ride her own bike to school. Over the last 15 years, I would say that I have gotten pretty good at getting around by bike, enough to provide some advice and possibly a little inspiration.
Going by Bike Essentials / Best practices
A bike – any bike in good working order, that fits you properly.
Test ride your bike several days before your first ride, to see if your bike needs repair.
Check your tires to make sure they don’t have a flat.
If your bike has been in the garage for a long time sitting idle, most likely it will need some adjustments, part replacements (tubes, tires, brake pads, worn chain). Not sure what to look for? Zach’s Bikes will do a free bike inspection to let you know what if anything is needed to get your bike running safely.
Minor changes in seat height and a new bike seat can make a big difference.
Ability to carry stuff
Backpack/messenger bag
Rear rack and/or front rack to allow you to carry panniers (bike bags) and/or basket (carrying your stuff off your back, is easier, and will reduce your sweat level)
Safety Gear – essentials (I never ride without these):
Helmet – If you crash, protecting your head is a good thing. To quote my mom, “accidents are never planned”. Did you know that Oregon state laws requires helmets for riders under the age of 16 years old?
Lights - front and rear red blinking lights - ALL the time! Choose “daytime” running lights that are designed to be seen from far distances during the day. I recommend choosing rechargeable, to reduce the need for constant battery replacement.
Visible clothing and accessories – daytime = bright colors/ nighttime= reflective features. Did you know that you are more noticeable if these visible elements are moving? Tires and pedals with reflective features get noticed when moving.
Bell – Use that bell to make sure pedestrians, other cyclists, even cars hear you.
Flat Prevention
Keep tires inflated at the suggested air pressure listed on your tire
Replace worn or weather checked tires
Flat repair kit - Extra tube/tube patches/tire levels/small pump or CO2 cartridges
Multi-tool for quick adjustments - Bicycles are simple machines and basic tools can really bail you out of common problems.
Lock – ALWAYS lock your bike if unattended for any amount of time. It takes less than 30 seconds to ride off with your bike. Lock your bike in a visible place.
Fenders – a nice to have to keep dirt and road grind off your clothes. If there is moisture on the road, it will find its way on to your clothes, and will keep your bike cleaner.
Safety
·Plan your route ahead of time – use Google Maps directions and select the bicycle icon for a bike appropriate route. If you have to ride on the road, choose roads that have less traffic.
Be visible! Most accidents occur because the other party didn’t see you (see Safety Gear – in previous section)
Bicycles are vehicles and share the same laws as cars.
Ride in direction of traffic! Cars when entering the road, look at the direction that cars are going. They don’t look in the opposite direction.
Riding on the sidewalk isn’t always the safest option on busy streets. Drivers don’t see or expect bikes riding at high speeds
Obey traffic laws – stop signs, traffic lights, traffic direction.
Assume cars do not see you. I always look to see if the driver sees me by waving hello, or a simple smile to establish eye contact and recognition.
Be predictable; use hand signals to signal turns and stopping.
How to make commuting by bike a lifelong habit
Set a small obtainable goal; try to replace car trip a week. Replace car trips less than 3 miles.
Commute by bike part of the way – this is ideal if you need to drop off kids at school or to avoid dangerous roadways, or you have a long commute. Bring your bike with you, then park your car, and ride the rest of the way.
·Try riding a pedal assist E-bike. These can make a longer commute faster, less sweaty, and assist with you when your route involves steep hills and challenging headwinds. You get the benefits of riding a bike, with less fatigue, allowing you to ride faster and/or longer than a traditional bike.
Commute on the weekend, ride with the family, make it a fun outing – a perfect way to try out riding as a transport option, when there is no time constraints and less traffic to worry about.
Ride to brunch
Ride to the park/playground
Ride to get frozen yogurt
Ride to Church
Ride to the Grocery Store
Ride to your kids’ sporting event
Other Benefits to Commuting by Bike
Cycling is great exercise
Arrive at work refreshed and full of energy
A way to destress and decompress after work
Easier to turn the ride home into a recreational ride by extending your commute. Take a detour through Moore Park’s mountain bike trails or take the OC&E trail as the long way around.
Feeling of accomplishment that you got in some exercise and did something good for the environment.
It can remind you of the time when you were younger, when you rode your bike because it was fun and symbolized your first feeling of independence.
