Ride Your Bike!
6 December 2005

Few commutes are more enjoyable than a bicycle ride in the morning. It's possible to live car-free when you live in a dense urban neighborhood and you own a rad bike. Bicycling as transportation is already popular in many European and Asian cities, and is gaining in popularity in America. But being a good city biker means more than knowing how to ride a bicycle; you should know urban traffic flows and conventions. You can the own streets of your city if you acknowledge the details of successful urban bicycling.

First: wear a bike helmet. Do it. Every time. You may be the best biker in the world, just going on a short outing, but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t hit you. Don’t wait until after your first bicycling accident to buy your helmet. And, no, a small-brimmed Italian biking hat is not the same thing as a helmet. Some technical details: your helmet should fit your head without slipping, and should be replaced after any impact it incurs, even if it appears intact.

Once you have your bike and your helmet, there are few limitations to where you can go on your bike. Any road that carries car traffic must legally accommodate bikes. This is occasionally true for freeways, and almost always true for highways. Don't let unenlightened car drivers make you think otherwise, they can honk all they want because biking is your right! Additionally, your local public transit probably accommodates bikes; for example, bike racks on buses, or bike parking in subway stations. You can take your bike on a train, Greyhound, and airplane, often for free.

Of course, just because you're biking doesn't mean you can slack off on traffic laws (maybe a little bit). When biking in the city, obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicles (versus pedestrians). This means biking on the sidewalk is illegal. Honestly, there will be times where the road is too hazardous and you must ride on the sidewalk for your safety. Just remember that pedestrians have the right of way and that you should return to the street as soon as it is safe.

The bike lane will always be on your right hand side, right next to parked cars, and this is true whether or not it is marked. If your city is very bike friendly, they may also include bicycle lanes on the left (for turning), or separate signal lights for bikers at frequently biked intersections. If not, then follow the same rules as a car while biking in the right-most lanes you can. Pay attention to right lanes that become right-turn only lanes, and if you are not turning right, then move over to the next lane so you aren’t conflicting with car traffic. When changing lanes, it helps to signal (with standard hand signals) but it's better to try to make eye contact with nearby drivers to be sure they see you. Most near-accidents are a result of the biker and driver not making eye contact. If you can't catch the driver's eyes, then assume they don't see and that they will hit you-so back off until the coast is clear. Motorists don’t want to hit you, and will yield to you once they understand your intention.

There are some unique dangers of city biking that you want to know about before they happen to you. Firstly, watch out for parked cars that may open their driver’s side door into your bike lane. Getting ‘doored’ is common; even bike-friendly drivers occasionally forget to check for bikes when exiting their car. Watch for cars that have just turned off their brake lights, and prepare to swerve if it seems even a remote possibility. Better yet, bike at a three foot distance from parked cars, and ignore the cars honking at you to move over.

Potholes are another biking hazard. Though a pothole will rarely knock you off your bike, they’re a common cause of flat tires. Unfortunately potholes are most common in the bike line because their creation is dependent upon rain water weakening the asphalt, and the bike lane is right next to the drainage curbs. Likewise, a train track can pop your tire, so avoid crossing a train track at less than a 45 degree angle to the track. Your wheel could get caught in the track. If this happens, remain calm and if possible, ride the track out, and if not, slowly decelerate, stop, and walk your bike back out of the track.

Your pant leg can be hazardous too. If your cuff is long, it will get caught in the gears or derailleur as your ride, and will tear your pant and possibly harm the delicate shifting mechanisms of the bike. Roll your pant legs, or rein them with fashionable ankle straps, or use the opportunity to show off your socks by tucking in your pant leg. For the ladies, when riding in a skirt, consider wearing shorts under longer skirts, and hike up your long skirt for the same reasons you’d cuff your pant leg. Be sure to unroll your pants when you get to where you’re going, unless you’re proud and you want everyone to know you’re a cyclist.

If you happen to be commuting to work, remember that you can carry a change of clothes with you if your ride will rumple your pressed pants or make your silk shirt all sweaty. Eagle Creek Outfitters sells a folding shirt carrier that will easily fit into your laptop or Timbuk2 bag. It will only take a couple of minutes to refresh yourself for a day at the office—less time that it takes to park and dig for quarters, and you can ride right up to the door. Your place of business may have a secure indoor employee bike parking area to take advantage of. Remember also to consider how the weather might change throughout the day, and bring along extra rain or cold weather gear. Furthermore, you may need lights at night that you didn’t use for the morning ride.

Always prepare for the worst. Carry a small emergency bag that includes, at minimum: a spare tire and patch kit, a small hand pump (which can often be mounted on your bike—but don’t leave it there to get stolen), an allen wrench, screwdriver, and plastic tire removal tools. Know how to use these tools ahead of time, don’t wait for an emergency. Remember that under-inflated tires are most prone to flats, but so are severely over-inflated tires.

Lock your bike, even when you will only be apart from it for a short while. Bike thievery in urban areas is a profitable and sophisticated racket. A U-lock is the most ideal locking mechanism. Buy one big enough to encircle your frame, one wheel, and whatever it is you are locking to. You may also want another lock that will lock your second wheel to your frame; someone desperate will steal even the cheapest of wheels. This can be done with a mini U-lock, or a cable lock, depending on the desired level of security.

It is possible to lock to anything that is securely footed, and that your lock and bike can’t be pulled up and over. If you are in doubt, ask your local bike store owner what would be an appropriate lock for your bike and your city. And don’t be surprised if it costs you $100 to secure your bike—it’s cheaper than buying a new one.

There are so many benefits to bike riding, and luckily, living in an urban environment makes it convenient too. Biking is a great way to familiarize yourself with a new city; you’ll move slowly enough to take in your surroundings. Even if you are intimidated at first, soon the hazards that frightened you will become part of the enjoyable challenge of a grown-up obstacle course. And commuting to work by bike will give you energy for your day and help you work the stress off at night (especially when you’re whizzing by gridlocked cars during rush hour). You’ll save money on gas, parking tickets and meters, car maintenance, and the gym and you’ll save the earth too. But most importantly, biking is fun (even more fun than when you were a kid).

More information on safety tips, traveling tips, and recommendations can be found at League of American Bicyclists.
In the San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco Bicycle Coalition provides maps, classes, and membership discount at local bike shops.

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