A Practical Peacemaker Ponders . . .

This is the second of two posts with tips on riding your bicycle around town to save money, keep our air clean, and stay fit. Often when I talk to people about urban cycling, they bring up issues of safety and comfort, so here are some suggestions.

The first rule of urban cycling safety, as I see it, is to be sure you are seen by car drivers. Always wear a bright yellow or gold shirt or tank top. Gold is easiest to see in all kinds of weather. Second best would be fluorescent green, orange or pink, but definitely do NOT wear dark or white shirts, as they blend into the landscape and cannot be seen by inattentive drivers. If you’ll be riding at dusk or after dark, wear reflective gear and have a good headlight and taillight. I’ve found that a flashing light worn on my helmet is one of the best ways to be visible at night.

While we’re on the subject of safety, I hope it goes without saying that you need to wear a helmet at all times. Don’t think, as I did when I began, that only cyclists riding at high speeds need helmets. Your head is more vulnerable than you might think. A cycling expert I heard gave this example: if you could take your head off your neck while you’re standing still, and simply drop it from that height, your skull would crack. How much more likely it is to sustain damage when you are moving forward!

Ride on bike paths or side streets. Bike and walking paths are often heavily used, not only by cyclists, but by pedestrians who may be elderly or have small children and thus be going more slowly. To avoid obstacles as much as possible, I prefer side streets which, at least in my neighborhood, have very little traffic. To avoid getting “doored,” look inside parked cars as you come up to them to be sure there’s no one inside on the driver’s side who might be about to open the door. If there is, swing out to allow space for the door. Cross busy streets only at traffic lights and crosswalks, and obey lights and traffic signs just as you would if you were driving a car. Be sure to look over your shoulder at an intersection to see if any cars are about to turn right; more often than not, drivers in that position don’t see cyclists.

Be sure to dress for the weather. Carry a raincoat in your pack so it’ll be there when you need it. Wear gloves and an earband or cap under your helmet when it’s cold. A nylon windbreaker keeps you warmer than a sweatshirt in a chill wind. Wear tights or nylon pants that fit closely around your ankles, lined ones when it’s cold. I’ve found the ones with zippers at the ankles are convenient because you can get the pants on and off over your shoes. If you can afford to buy bike shop clothes, pants with the padded crotch increase your comfort on the ride. In hot weather wear shorts and sleeveless cotton tank tops. One bike advice book I read said, “Don’t wear cotton if the temperature is below 70 degrees.” 

Get some kind of pack or trunk to carry your lunch, extra clothes, the odd item you may need to pick up on your way home from work. I use a Topeak bike trunk with panniers and can stash a surprising amount in it. For me a trunk, handlebar basket or panniers are superior to a backpack or messenger bag because the weight of your stuff is on the bike, not on your shoulders. Always carry a water bottle, an energy bar or two, and a tire pump. Spend a little more for the best tires and tubes so you’ll have fewer flats—I recommend Michelin bike tires.

These suggestions are only a beginning. Once you start riding, either to work or on nearby errands, you’ll discover your own “must haves.” The important thing is to get out there and give it a try!