Disclaimer: This diary isn't for experienced gearheads, racers or veteran bicycle commuters (but your advice and experiences are appreciated!) Inspired by this excellent post on Firedoglake.
This is for those who are just now considering making the bicycle a primary mode of transportation. Times are changing. Our way of life is changing, as it must. A buddy of mine takes Cal-train to work every day and he tells me that the commuter train was practically empty a few months ago. Now it's full, with many, many bicyclists taking their bikes on the train with them. I expect this trend will continue. It looks like we're moving toward a more European way of getting around. I'm all for it.
I was a bike messenger in San Francisco for 4 years (and lived!) I continue to use a bicycle as my primary mode of transportation. Below are a few basic survival tips.
Choose Your Rig
If you live in an urban area or college town, you've probably noticed the trend of "fixies" - that is, fixed-gear bikes. These bikes are all the rage right now. Don't buy into it. They are overpriced, dangerous and inefficient (especially if you have hills to climb or groceries to carry). Your bike should be suited to your local geography and weather conditions.
The are road bikes, mountain bikes, cruisers and touring bikes to choose from. Beginners might find the slightly arched-over sitting position on some of these bikes to be uncomfortable at first, but there are good reasons for it: it reduces wind resistance, which can slow you down and tire you out, and you get more leg power. Do your research and choose wisely. It's worth spending a chunk of money if you're serious. A good bike, properly maintained, will last a lifetime.
Some other things to consider are weight (lighter is better), frame size and security (bike theft is a cottage industry where I Iive. Rule of thumb: don't leave your bike locked up outside if you can help it, and never overnight).
Here's the deal with frame-size/seat height: your butt should be high enough so that your knee is just short of fully extended at the bottom of each spin. Straight, but not locked. It's a little scary at first because you can't touch both feet to the ground while sitting on the seat, but you only need one foot to steady yourself, and your knees will thank you! This also ensures that you're using your whole leg as you spin (or pedal), using the power of all those leg muscles - some of the largest and strongest muscles you have.
Weather
As a cyclist you'll find that you are more in touch with the elements than before. Ah, the great outdoors. It's a wonderful feeling, once you get past being cold and wet once in a while. Keep in mind that wind is what makes you cold, not moisture or even cold air itself. Wear a water resistant wind breaker, or a standard rubber raincoat in serious rain. Wool retains water, but it also keeps your skin warm. Wool socks and gloves are good (pop 'em in the microvave to warm them up). There's a whole list of hi tech fabrics out there to keep you warm, if not dry.
Some dont's: don't wear jeans in the rain! Cotton becomes very heavy and cold when wet. Don't worry about your legs being cold so much, they'll be all right (unless you're wearing jeans). Worry about your torso, hands and feet.
Some sort of visor - even a baseball cap under your helmet - is a must to keep rain out of your eyes. Also, make sure you have a back fender! Otherwise your rear tire will send a stripe of gritty slush right up your back. Anything will do, I've seen people cut plastic bottles for fenders. A rear rack works too.
Safety
There are 2 rules that you must observe above all else:
- You are invisible! Don't ever, ever assume that a motorist or pedestrian can see you. Assume at all times that they don't see you. Try to make eye contact, but even then, assume you are invisible! It's up to you to avoid them. Don't expect anyone else to follow the rules of the road. They won't. If you have to hop onto the sidewalk, do it. If you have to go the wrong way down a one way street, do it. Assume that every car is driven by a sociopath or a 6 year old.
- Look Both Ways Before You Cross The Street! Just like your momma told you... she was right. OK, this may cause some controversy because the conventional wisdom is to follow the same rules as the death machines (cars). Experience has taught me otherwise. Don't ever assume people will stop at stop signs. Don't think for a minute a green light means go. Use your eyes, and make sure you are aware of what's going on at all times. Look both ways. This simple rule is far more reliable than traffic signals, which are only as good as the potentially homicidal maniac speeding toward you. Stay focused. Use your eyes and ears.
Some other tips: Beware the door! No one looks in thier rear view before swinging their car door open. They should, but they don't. A row of parked cars is just as dangerous as moving traffic. Ride past with your eyes peeled, move into the street or get on the sidewalk (if there aren't any pedestrians). Watch out for cabs in traffic. People jump out of cabs without warning. Beware of trucks (those high doors will take all your teeth out) and double parkers. Look for heads. If a stationary car is occupied you know that door is gonna fly open any second. See rule #1.
If there are bike trails or lanes where you live, it's worth going out of your way to use them. They are much safer!
Brakes Your front brake is the one that really stops you on a dime. The rear brake will slow you down. Use them in harmony and try not to ride your brakes. For sudden stops or descending hills, move your center of gravity (your hips) toward the rear wheel as you apply the brakes. Always make sure your brakes are in good shape. Note: wet weather eats your brake pads, change the pads once in a while if you deal with a lot of rain.
Tires I like fat tires, but "knobbies" slow you down and cause extra work on asphalt. Get some slicks or hybrid tires. Keep them fully inflated. You shouldn't be able to dent them by squeezing with your fingers. Riding on low tires is like riding up a hill or into the wind. Get a patch kit and a small pump. Fixing a flat is easy, and can be done in 10 minutes or less.
Practice! Get in the habit. Use your bike for everything. Groceries, errands, trips to the corner, whatever. Your goal is to be as sure on 2 wheels as you are on 2 feet. Skill and confidence reinforce each other. Once you get good, you will want to go faster, and in many cases it's actually safer to be up to speed with traffic. You'll get the hang of it...
Carrying Stuff It's amazing how much stuff you can fit in the standard, over-the-shoulder messenger bag. (Homage must here be given to the originator of the classic messenger bag, Erik Zo). I've carried cases of beer, computer monitors etc in these bags. Timbuk2 and Crumpler make the best bags. Unfortunately I cannot endorse Chrome bags because of a serious design flaw: the seatbelt clip rests right in the middle of your chest and can be poked by anyone or anything, sending your bag and it's contents (your laptop -gasp!) crashing to the ground.
Saddle bags are good, front and rear racks are good too. Try to distribute weight evenly with these things or it will mess with your steering control.
Watch out for...
- Busses. Bus drivers hate cyclists.
- Pedestrians, see rule #1. Don't hit anyone!
- American flag stickers. Why is it that the more flags the worse the driver? I swear to god I'm not making this up.
- Cabs. I already mentioned cabs, but it bears repeating.
- And most of all: tow trucks. Tow truck drivers are
nuts. Flee them.