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Join Forces. Is there a bicycle club in your area or, even better, a bicycle-activist organization? Getting together with other cyclists is a good way to learn about routes, improve your skills and technique, and find fellow commuters. There's greater safety in numbers. Plan Your Route Carefully. Don't assume that the shortest, most direct route is the best - quality beats brevity. Look for quieter streets that aren't packed with buses and trucks. If you must ride on busy streets, use those with bike lanes (if you can find any), or at least wide lanes. Multiple-lane, one-way streets are often good. And stay off sidewalks - it's usually illegal and always dangerous.
Be Aware. Assume that drivers don't see you. Constantly check traffic all around you (a rearview mirror helps) so you can spot trouble before it's too late. Do everything you can to make yourself visible. The greatest danger is from drivers who don't see you. Equip Yourself. You've heard it before, but considering how many cyclists continue to tempt fate, I'll say it again: wear your helmet. In an accident, it might keep your skull from cracking like an egg. For shorter commutes, fat, knobby tires are less likely to slip on wet ground or get caught in metal gratings. For night riding, bicycle regulations vary state-by-state, but it is common for local regulations to require both a headlight and a tailight. A flashing red light on the back of your bike can get a driver's attention. A good halogen headlight will not only help you avoid painful potholes but also make you extra visible to oncoming cars and cars at intersections. Also, use white reflective tape liberally, especially on the wheel rims. MassBike (the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition) maintains a web page with links to laws concerning bicyclists for most states.  Photos courtesy www.freefoto.com Up to Top |
Almost
everyone thinks that it would be nice to ride a bike to work, and
the health benefits to both the rider and the environment are undeniable.
Unfortunately, many people find the logistics (especially dealing
with traffic) daunting or downright frightening. Here's how to make
riding to work less nerve-racking and more enjoyable.
Claim Your Share of the Road. It's important to create a space cushion between your bike and other vehicles, both moving and parked. Give yourself enough space -- about four feet -- to avoid being "doored" by people getting out of parked cars. This way, drivers can also easily see you and have enough room to pass safely. If there is more than one lane in your direction, just ride down the middle of a lane; drivers can change lanes to pass you.