Bicycle Commuting in the Metroland (Comments: 1)
Author: Ethan
Date: 4 September, 2008
Category: Albany, Bike news, Commuting, Ethan Georgi, NYBC
There’s a pretty big, and rather well written, article about bicycling in the Capital Region in this week’s Metroland. Pick that up, or read it here.
Tips for bicycle commuting
Wear a helmet. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Obey all traffic laws and be predictable. Bicyclists have a right to the road, but they are also responsible for following the same rules as cars.
Decide your route ahead of time and ride it on a weekend before you commute into work. You can use this test run to judge the amount of time it will take, your level of fitness, and potential problems.
Have a bicycle shop tune up your bicycle. Learn basic maintenance, such as repairing flats and fixing chains.
Bring a change of clothes into work before riding in, or keep multiple sets of clothing in the office.
Bring a water bottle, or even two. In the summer, it is easy to become dehydrated.
If you are nervous about traffic, or will be cycling through a heavily trafficked area, take a beginner class with the League of American Bicyclists. Certified instructors can teach you the basics of navigating traffic and solving common commuting problems.
Wear appropriate clothing that is brightly colored or reflective. If you are wearing long pants, use ankle straps to prevent them from catching in the gears or bicycle chain. Bring rain gear in case of bad weather.
Invest in a quality lock and lock your bicycle to an immovable object in a visible area. If available, park your bicycle indoors.
Take the route at your own pace. “You don’t have to be Danica Patrick to drive to work,” says League of American Bicyclists president Andy Clarke, “so you don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to bike to work.”
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