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Safe Commuting by Bike

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Safe Commuting by Bike Safe Commuting by Bike Bike Metro Website: http://www.metro.net/bikeweek Safe Commuting by Bike Page 2 BICYCLE SAFETY Richardmasoner, flickr.com Inexpensive, healthy, sustainable, fun. These adjectives have all been used to describe getting around by bike. Events like CicLAvia, critical mass rides, and others have shown an expanded interest in biking as a leisure activity, but cycling also presents a viable mode for transportation. While riding a bike can expose a rider to a number of dangers, it also offers a number of health benefits when done in a safe manner. This guide gives safety tips for those with an interest in biking for transportation or pleasure, or both. The topics covered in this guide include the necessary components for safe riding including issues surrounding the bike itself, traffic skills and route selection, and equipment. Properly Functioning Bike and Maintenance Having a properly working bike is essential to getting around. If you have not ridden your bike in a while and are concerned about the safety of the bike, go to your local bike shop and ask them to do a safety check. Another option is to go to one of the various bike collectives in LA County. Bike maintenance, London Cycling Campaign Safe Commuting by Bike Page 3 If you decide to check the bike yourself, it is important to know the ABCs. For ensuring your bike is ready to ride, the ABCs are: Air pressure in tires: Tires should be inflated according to the manufacturer’s specifications and should feel hard. Not having tires inflated enough can expose a rider to needless flats. Also, check to see that there is not excessive wear on the sidewalls and tread of tires. If there is a lot of wear, it may be time to think about getting new tires. Brakes: Before getting on the bike, make sure that the brakes respond. If you ever take the wheels off to transport the bike, make sure that you re- engage the brakes. Cranks and Chain: The crankset is the object to which the pedals attach and should be solidly in place and not movable from side to side. Repairing a flat. Bruce’s Bike Blog In addition, it is necessary to make sure your wheels and seat are tightly secured to the bike, especially in cases where you are taking them off to lock or transport them. Starting your ride slowly will allow you to catch other abnormalities before you reach full speed. Knowing basic bike maintenance principles like how to adjust aspects of the bike and how to fix a flat tire is an important skill, though it is not imperative. This does not require a cyclist to be anywhere near a professional mechanic, but knowing simple fixes can save you major headaches. For those who are not mechanically Safe Commuting by Bike Page 4 inclined, bike shops occasionally offer classes that can teach you the most important things you need to know. The following maintenance equipment takes up very little space in a bag, but can help out in the event of mechanical problems: An inner tube or patch kit (replacing the tube is generally easier than patching) Tire levers for removing the tire in the event of a flat A small bike pump (also known as a micro-pump) certain models attach to the frame of the bike Flat tire kit including (L to R) pump, tire levers, patch kit and tube, instructables.com A bike multi-tool Lights For those intending to ride during dusk hours, making yourself visible to other motorists is crucial. State law requires that any bike on the road during darkness be equipped with yellow reflectors on the backs of the pedals, a red reflector on the back of the bike, and a white light on the front of the bike. This is the minimum – lights are generally a Head and tail light set better option than reflectors. Lights can be bought at a number of price points, costing a few dollars and up. Flashing patterns are a fairly standard feature and can enhance your visibility to others on the road immeasurably. Lights can be attached to the bike, to clothing, to helmets, or to backpacks and bags. Since most bike lights are battery-powered, one should check them occasionally or consider carrying a set of back-up batteries. If there is even the chance that you may be riding at dusk or in the dark, having a good set of lights is the simplest, most effective way of announcing your presence on the road. Gear Storage The manner in which you carry your belongings is usually a matter of preference, but a good rule of the thumb is that your items should be secure and not capable of throwing off your balance. Placing grocery bags around handlebars, for instance, is not a good idea because the swinging of the bags can throw off one's balance, get caught in the front wheel or onto your leg as you are pedaling. The Safe Commuting by Bike Page 5 simplest solution is to put your stuff in a regular backpack or other bag, such as a messenger bag. More specialized ways of carrying your cargo usually require additional hardware installed on the bike, which may be worth it depending on the cyclist. One option is a bike rack, to which you can attach your gear with bungee cords. Another option is a basket. Panniers are popular among commuter cyclists. If you regularly carry a large number of items, a specialized type of bike, such as a cargo bike, may be appropriate. None of these options is clearly better or offers more safety than the others - it is up to the rider to decide about issues of functionality, comfort, and style. One option: carrying gear in panniers Helmet Commuters with backpacks in San Jose. Richardmasoner, flickr.com When thinking about bike safety, an important piece of equipment is the helmet. California state law requires any rider under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. When purchasing a helmet, the following are the most important characteristics: Certification: The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) certifies helmets for safety, which is required for retailers to sell any helmet. The nonprofit Snell Memorial Foundation also endorses helmets that exceed federal safety standards. Fit: Helmets should fit snugly on the head but should not be uncomfortable. The helmet should cover a good portion of the forehead. They should stay in place when a rider moves his or her head. Newer helmet technologies include adjustable inner ring that can accommodate a range of different head sizes and add comfort. Safe Commuting by Bike Page 6 In terms of price, one can generally find a good helmet in the $30 range. More expensive helmets may add marginally more comfort, but the main difference is that higher-end models are lighter in weight and have better ventilation. Although they seem indestructible, helmets do not last forever. See the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s specifications for replacement. Road-style helmet Clothing Cyclists are well-known for sporting form-fitting spandex shorts and brightly- colored jerseys, but for those not interested in competitive cycling, these are not necessary. Riders traveling longer distances might consider them, as they can add a degree of comfort, but cycling does not require these types of clothing. The coloration of clothing, however, is important, especially in darkness. Wearing light-colored clothing increases your visibility to drivers and can increase your safety on the road. Clothing that is reflective is another good way to ensure that you are seen by cars in the dark. Parking Inverted U style bike rack, Steven Vance, flickr.com Finding a secure location to park your bike can be a significant challenge to commuting by bike. Perhaps the most secure option is to bring the bike into the office or building where you work. This is not always possible due to space constraints. Bike lockers are another good option. Lockers located at rail stations can be rented through Metro’s website. While not nearly as secure as other parking options, bike racks and poles located on sidewalks can be used to park bikes. Look for signs that may be posted prohibiting bicycle parking. Safe Commuting by Bike Page 7 Besides the location of the parking, the type of lock used is important. There are two general types of locks: U-locks and cable/chain locks. Of the two, U-locks are more secure and make stealing a bicycle more difficult. Cable locks are easier for bike thieves to cut, but they are flexible and can be used to secure removable parts such as seats. Use of a U-lock in conjunction with a cable lock or chain is perhaps the best way to lock the bike because with these two locks, you are able to secure the wheels, the frame, the seat, and other removable components. The wheels and seat are parts of the bike that are commonly stolen, partly because owners overlook these items when parking. If you do not have enough locks and chains to secure the entire bike, the biggest priorities should be the frame and the back wheel, as these are the most expensive items to replace. U-Lock Cable Lock Chain Lock There is a range of quality and prices for locks, but buying the best lock (or locks) you can afford is recommended. Although locks can get fairly expensive (in the $50 range and above), buying a good lock is preferable to having an important component or the entire bike stolen.
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