May 13, 2009
Ever thought about riding your bike to work?  Friday is National Bike To Work Day and is promoted as one of the events to raise awareness of the benefits of bicycling.  Bike Month, celebrated each year during the month of May, is a time set aside to educate the public about the health, economic, and environmental benefits of bicycling as well as to promote bike safety.  Biking to work, events and for short errands is a great way to improve your health, save money and reduce automobile pollution.

As part of the National celebration, Arab Mayor Gary Beam has proclaimed May as Bike Month in Arab.  Beam met with a group of local riders for the proclamation signing on Wednesday.  The annual event is promoted by the  League of American Bicyclists.  Events promote cycling while educating riders on bike safety and drivers on sharing the road.

Nearly 85 million adults and children ride bicycles each year in the U.S., with an estimated one-half million people bicycling to work each morning.

For those who don't want to ride on the roads, off road trails such as mountain bike trails, greenways, designated bike trails and the national Rails-To-Trails project offers good alternatives. The Chief Ladiga Trail, Alabama’s first extended rails-to-trails project is a good example of converting old abandoned railroads to use as biking and walking trails. It wanders 33 miles through the countryside of Calhoun and Cleburne counties and it connects the municipalities of Piedmont, Jacksonville, Weaver and Anniston.

Bicyclists and motorists should remember to Share the Road

To keep safe on the road, bicyclists should:

Always wear a helmet that is comfortable and fits properly

Always ride with traffic and follow the rules of the road.

Forget what you might have heard in the past, you are better off riding with the flow of traffic, not against it. You are much more predictable and visible to motorists, especially at intersections and driveways.

Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars, and use hand signals when turning and stopping.

Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings and yield to traffic when appropriate, including pedestrians.

Don't ride on the sidewalk. Although you might think it's a safer option, motorists are simply not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk, especially those riding against traffic.

Ride on the trail, paved shoulder, bike lane, or bike route. But, you still need to follow the rules of the road and watch out for your fellow travelers. Ride to the right, signal your turns, obey traffic signs and signals.

Be predictable and visible.  Try not to be hesitant or do things that motorists and other travelers may not be expecting.

Make sure everyone can see you and knows where you are and where you are going.

If riding in the dark, use headlights, taillights and reflectors, and wear reflective materials and brightly colored clothing.

Do not wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while bicycling.

Watch for stuff on the road or trail that might make you fall or swerve. Rocks, trash, storm grates, wet leaves, potholes, gravel, railroad tracks, and even wet pavement markings can all send you flying.

Also watch for parked cars, doors opening, and cars pulling in and out of driveways.

Watch for turning traffic. Most car/bike collisions happen at intersections and driveways when motorists or bicyclists are turning.

Ride at least three feet from parked cars to avoid opening doors and people stepping into traffic.
 

Motorists should remember to:

Watch for Bicyclists at all Times. Bicycles are vehicles and bicyclists may take the entire lane.

Scan for bicyclists in traffic and give them the appropriate right-of-way.

Children and beginning riders can be unpredictable; expect the unexpected.

Watch for bicyclists before opening car doors.

Don't drive distracted or after consuming alcohol or other drugs.

Drive the Speed and Avoid Aggressive Maneuvers. Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at stop signs.

Allow extra time for bicyclists to traverse intersections.

Recognize hazards that bicyclists may face and give them space to maneuver.

Pass Bicyclists with Care. Treat bicyclists as you would a slow-moving car-don't tailgate, and do wait until traffic conditions allow you to safely pass the bicyclist.

Reduce speed when passing bicyclists and allow at least 3 ft of passing space.

Check over your shoulder after passing a bicyclist before moving back.

Don't blast your horn in close proximity to bicyclists.  Honking can startle a bicyclist and cause a crash.

Never throw anything at a bicyclist from a moving car.

Click here for more detailed safe riding tips.

Getting Ready To Ride:

Adapted from an article provided by Trek Bicycles.

The Bike:
If you don’t already have one, get a bike. There are all kinds of bikes available: road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, recumbent bikes, and even commuter bikes. Some are better suited for commuting than others, but don’t worry if you don’t have the latest and greatest model. As long as it rolls, and as long as it’s safe, pretty much any bike will work as a commuter.

Bike Gear:
Make sure you have the biking essentials. To ride safely and comfortably, you’ll need things like a helmet, pump, tool kit, and water bottle. While not absolutely necessary, cycling-specific clothing will help make your ride more enjoyable. Cycling clothing is designed for on-bike performance and offers the latest in moisture-wicking, technical fabrics. You can ride in jeans and a t-shirt, but you’ll be more comfortable in a pair of cycling shorts and a jersey.

The Route:
You might be able to ride on the same roads you drive to work on, or you might need to find a more bike-friendly way to work. Once you have a route plotted, keep in mind that it generally takes about twice as long to ride as it does to drive, so plan accordingly. You may want to ride your bike to work and back over the weekend to gauge the time and distance that will be required. A test run will also help you understand your route and make any necessary changes. If you can’t commit to a long commute, consider cutting the route in half. Drive half-way and ride the rest. Or, drive to work with your bike and then ride home. The next morning, ride to work and then drive home at the end of the day.

Packing:
If you’re riding to work, you’ll likely need to bring a few things with you: a change of clothes, lunch, possibly a lap top. One of the most popular options is a simple backpack. Another option is a bike messenger bag. If your bike’s compatible, a rear rack is a great way to carry a load.

Knowledge:
It’s important that you’re safe when you ride, so make sure you understand the rules of the road. Bicycles are required to follow the same road rules as cars, so make sure you obey traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings.

Preparation:
Before you hop on your bike, make sure that your tires are properly inflated and that your brakes are adjusted properly and are working. Adopting a simple bike-check routine before each and every ride will help make sure your bike is safe and operating at peak efficiency.

Enjoy The Ride:
Riding a bike lets you see the world at a different speed that you’re probably used to and you’ll probably start to notice the things you’ve been missing sitting behind the wheel. Birds singing. Flowers blooming. Quaint neighborhoods and intriguing little shops. Soak it all in as you save money, get in shape, and help cut pollution.

Make It A Way Of Life:
Now that you’ve started, don’t stop. Set a goal to ride a certain number of days a week or a month. Before you know it, you’ll be riding more than you drive, and you’ll feel better than ever.

To learn more about bike commuting click here to download the Bike To Work Commuters Booklet

Click here for League of American Bicyclists website.