Bike Commuting Tips

Most of the people I know-my family and friends-travel by means other than the bicycle. In other words, they are still internal combusters. In a society such as ours, where more money is spent advertising automobiles than is spent on the entire national mass transit system, where everyone's innate bias equates travel with driving, it isn't easy to make the shift to bicycle commuting. I can attest to that. When I began, I did it all wrong. Here are some tips to make your cycling experience more enjoyable:

WHY COMMUTE BY BICYCLE?

Cycling is fun, healthy, stress-reducing exercise; cheaper than driving, in a traffic-clogged urban environment, it's often faster. And bicycling is still the transportation choice for most people on the planet.

GETTING STARTED: THE BIKE

Most importantly, get a bike that suits your needs. Try a variety of bikes before you buy and ask the shop to make adjustments for your size and body type. Mountain bikes are fine for dirt trails but can be heavy and inefficient for commuting. Look at hybrid bikes or road bikes for the best balance between weight, comfort, and durability. Narrower, smooth tires offer less road resistance.

WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?

Consider comfortable riding clothes and a change of attire at work. Good raingear means a waterproof jacket and pants, or "breatheable" waterproof shells over layers. Neoprene booties which fit over your shoes keep your feet dry in the rain. For cold weather, thin layers keep you warm and can be removed easily. Cotton t-shirts are comfortable, but in cold weather they can freeze to you-a combination of wool, silk, and/or synthetics is warmer. Fenders keep the puddles and muck from splashing up while you ride, and remember that in wet weather, metal manhole covers, train rails, and construction plates become as slippery as ice.

GETTING STARTED: THE ROUTE

Plan your commute route in advance. Consider streets and routes with fewer hills; side streets have less traffic and often afford trees, scenery, and friendly pedestrians. Avoid large or dangerous intersections if possible. Share tips on good routes with other cyclists-it's a good way to make new friends. Bike route maps are available at bike shops and local bike coalitions.

GETTING STARTED: CARRYING CAPACITY

A bike rack is indispensable, and bungee cords are an easy way to attach items to your rack. Backpacks or messenger bags are quick and easy to take with you but may be uncomfortable if you have bulky or heavy things to carry. Panniers mount on bike racks and provide better balance because the weight is carried lower to the ground. For very large loads, consider detachable bike trailers such as B.O.B., Burley, or Fresh Aire.

PARKING, LOCKS, AND SECURITY

Some parking garages provide bike racks or have available storage areas; or, if you have room where you work, you may be able to bring your bike inside with you. Be sure to lock your bike to a solid bike rack, sign post, or other solid object. Locking to chain-link fences or small trees is not very safe and may damage young trees. Locking up in a well-lit area with many pedestrians helps deter thieves. Small Kryptonite Evolution U-locks, which leave no extra space within the lock, are hardest to break. Cable locks and chains with combination locks are the least safe. A seat leash is a good way to keep your saddle.

BICYCLING SAFETY

Avoid sidewalks, which are cluttered with obstacles such as signposts, parked cars, garbage cans, and endangers pedestrians. Know your rights and responsibilities for the Vehicle Code where you live. Ride outside of the "door zone," where doors on parked vehicles may suddenly be swung open. Collisions with doors are the most common accident for urban cyclists.

In California, you have the right to take the lane if you need to avoid potholes, car doors, debris, or anything that you consider a danger in riding your bicycle. You're far safer having the cars behind you than crowding you while they pass. Give yourself a cushion. Define your space. Don't be timid. Assert your right to the road.

INTERMODAL ACCESS

What if your workplace is farther away than you want or are able to ride? Many bus lines such as Golden Gate Transit, AC Transit, and Muni now have bike racks. On other systems, folding bicycles such as Bike Friday or Brompton are usually permitted. BART allows bicycles except during peak commute hours, and CalTrain has dedicated bike cars for bike commuters. Consider leaving your bike in a locker at a BART or rail station, so you don't have to carry it with you.

OTHER EQUIPMENT/ACCESSORIES

A helmet is your most important safety accessory. A headlight and reflectors are required for night riding; inexpensive blinking LED flashers are very visible and have different colored lenses for front and back. Use a bell to let a pedestrian or cyclist know you are approaching, but to signal drivers who can't see you, you'll need a horn.

REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE

Flat tires are the most common repair but surprisingly easy to fix. Carry a pump, patch kit, and spare tube for your wheels. Many people simply switch to a good tube and patch a punctured tube later at home. Practice fixing a flat or have a fellow cyclist teach you before you find yourself stranded. Keep your chain and gears oiled and free of dirt and grit buildup.

BEYOND COMMUTING

Expect to experience some sore muscles when you first start bike commuting. Eventually you'll gain strength, improve your balance, enhance your breathing, sleep better and on and on. In short, your fitness will improve, simply by commuting to and from work every day. As you become more aware of safe cycling issues, consider local bike advocacy groups, which work for better cycling conditions. Cyclists should expect and demand safe accommodation on our public roads, just as does every other user. Nothing more is expected. Nothing less is acceptable.

-Paul Dorn, Mark Motyka, and Greg Howard

For the full length version of this piece by Paul Dorn, go to http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~pdorn/Commuting/commuting.html

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