I asked a neighbor who works in bio-tech if he knew Susan Watson, the 62 year-old researcher who was recently struck and killed by a big rig truck at 5th and Market in Oakland while riding her bike home from work. He works in the industry, but didn't know her. But mentioning her death sparked a discussion about the responsibilities of cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. Standing on the sidewalk in front of his house, my neighbor made two interesting assertions: Bicyclists never obey traffic regulations and if cyclists want safer roads, they should be taxed. Two fascinating ideas that indicate just how far market values have penetrated our everyday view of life, ethics and morality (a topic explored in depth by Michael Sandel).
I was about to respond with "No one obeys the rules of the road any more ..." when it occurred to me: The unifying element in this discussion about car, pedestrian, and bike safety is obvious. It doesn't really matter what sort of vehicle a person is operating, more and more of us are doing whatever we please: California stop, Idaho stop, texting, talking on their cellphone without a hands-free device, applying make-up, eating, reading, and so on. Pedestrians make risky choices, too: Walking against the light, jay walking, blundering into the street while texting, talking on their cellphone, reading and so on. The unifying element is us, We the People, aka human beings.
If dividing the world into equal parts crazy drivers, crazy cyclists, and crazy pedestrians doesn't move the debate forward, perhaps asking why people engage in risky behavior will add some clarity. One factor in risky behavior is what those in aviation refer to as external pressures and most of us have plenty of pressure in our lives. One good example? Step outside my front door between 7:45am and 8:05am on a school day: Stressed out parents driving their kids to the school down the block doing all the things they know they shouldn't do: They speed, cut off other drivers, fail to give pedestrians in a crosswalk right-of-way, and they put those few parents and kids who cycle to school at significant risk. Hell may have no fury like an angry parent, but it's not just parents who are stressed out.
All of us are going too fast and it's clear we are pushing the limits of our primitive neurological abilities. Most of us are in denial about this. We try to squeeze too much into the available time, we work long hours, and we don't sleep enough. These factors leave us cognitively impaired. And consider that research indicates chronic stress can cause mental illness and you have an even more complete, albeit sobering picture. So we think we're smart, but we make poor decisions. We think we have lightning fast reaction time, but we miss important events due to distractions. And we fail to recognize the hazards that our impairment brings to something as simple as trying to parallel park or crossing the street to a catch the bus.
We know that trying to reason with a stressed out driver, cyclist, or pedestrian doesn't work. You have to wait until they've calmed down, the adrenaline has subsided, and they have collected their wits. Even then, it's difficult to get most Americans to do something we should all be better at, given the number of errors we make every day: Admit our mistakes and apologize. We could also do a better job of respecting the lives of those around us, whether they were in a car, on a bike, or traveling on foot.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Carrying things on a Bike, on a Bridge
If you want proof that engineers and designers who come up with bike routes are often not bike savvy, consider that 2nd Street is a designated bike route through Oakland's Jack London Square: It cuts right through the wholesale produce market, there are stop signs at virtually every intersection, and the street is lined or blocked with forklifts and delivery trucks. Even when a bike route is through a quiet residential neighborhood, what's with all the stop signs? The idea behind biking is to keep your momentum going, not to be forced to stop and start dozens of times. That's why I avoid designated bike routes and boulevards due to the greater amount of traffic and the preponderance of stop signs that seem to crop up at every intersection.
With the early part of today free, I spent time running errands and doing laundry before cycling to Sweet Maria's to pick up some green coffee. I threw one pannier on the rack and began winding my way through the back streets of Berkeley and Oakland. I won't tell you the route I took since, frankly, doing so might increase the number of bikes on my little bit of asphalt heaven. So stick to the bike lanes and the main thoroughfares or stay in your car and drive on the freeways, nothing to see here, move along ...
With three pounds of green beans loaded, I lamented the fact I'd be driving to the airport later. Since I'd be sitting in a car (undoubtedly in traffic), why not take the long way home on this bike ride? So I rode 7th Street to Maritime and cycled the eastern span of the Bay Bridge. I've cycled the bridge a half dozen times or so, but each time there seems to be something interesting going on with the deconstruction of the old cantilever section. This day was near perfect as the path was mostly empty. If you haven't cycled the bridge and gotten a close look at the old span, I suggest you do so before it's gone. At the rate they are going, it won't be long before the old bridge is history. And once the old span is gone, work will begin on completing the bridge path to Yerba Buena/Treasure Island.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Searching for Fred
KRAMER: Well my swimming pool problems are solved. I just found myself miles and miles of open lanes.
JERRY: What is that smell?
KRAMER: That's East River.
JERRY: You're swimming in the East River? The most heavily trafficked, overly contaminated waterway on the eastern seaboard?
KRAMER: Technically Norfok has more gross tonnage.
JERRY: How could you swim in that water?
KRAMER: I saw a couple of other guys out there.
JERRY: Swimming?
KRAMER: Floating, they weren't moving much, but they were out there.
Arriving at work the other day, a coworker approached me, gave my commuting bike the once over and said something like: "Look at this bike. You are so 'Fred!'" Having not heard this descriptive term, I asked for a definition. He provided his interpretation of "Fred" as a cycling term. I decided to dig deeper. What I discovered is that there are at least three competing definitions for "Fred" commonly used by cyclists.
To his credit, my coworker said he believes that there's a little bit of Fred in each of us. Given the variety of definitions for "Fred," I'd say that's a safe conclusion. The category I identify with most would be #3 because at this stage in my cycling life, I'm all about commuting efficiency. This wasn't always the case.
Years ago I purchased a Vitus 979 aluminum bicycle frame. At the time it was pretty much state-of-the-art. I outfitted that frame with Campagnolo components, a lightweight drive chain, very light wheels, pretty damn narrow tires, and the first generation Profile aero bars. I was too cool for school. When I used this bike to commute from my apartment on the peninsula to Santa Clara, I liked to ride fast. A coworker at the time decided to buy a bike with the goal of making it even lighter than my Vitus. He gradually bought more and more lightweight components, a seat with titanium rails, tubular tires, you name it. Yet with each lighter component he put on his bike, his ride became even heavier when compared to the Vitus. Not sure how that could have been, but I swear it was true.
Fast-forward 25 years, bike technology has changed in big ways and my priorities have shifted, too. Instead of lightweight, competition, and speed, I'm more biased toward durability and reliability. Instead of weighing in at less than 19 pounds (8.6 kg), my commuter weighs in around 34 pounds (15.4 kg). By the time I've loaded on the panniers, the whole production tips the scales around 45 pounds (20.4 kg). Okay, I admit I still get the urge to chase down younger riders on fixies and give them a run for their money.
The biggest improvement in the past two decades would have to be lighting systems. I had one of the original NightSun headlights and it was pretty awesome back in the day. The LED lighting available now is significantly more advanced both in lumen output and battery life. I wear a helmet, as I did in the old days. And brightly colored clothing, much to the amusement of the hip, ninja cyclists I encounter each day and night that I ride. So did I used to be cool and now I'm a Fred, or is it the other way around? Beats me ...
Near as I can tell, the main reason to use a term like "Fred" (or "Doris" for female riders) would seem to be to differentiate one group of cyclists as being better than or above the rest. The way I look at it, no matter how fashionable, unfashionable, or individualistic you may or may not be, the important thing is that you are on your bike and you are out there.
JERRY: What is that smell?
KRAMER: That's East River.
JERRY: You're swimming in the East River? The most heavily trafficked, overly contaminated waterway on the eastern seaboard?
KRAMER: Technically Norfok has more gross tonnage.
JERRY: How could you swim in that water?
KRAMER: I saw a couple of other guys out there.
JERRY: Swimming?
KRAMER: Floating, they weren't moving much, but they were out there.
Arriving at work the other day, a coworker approached me, gave my commuting bike the once over and said something like: "Look at this bike. You are so 'Fred!'" Having not heard this descriptive term, I asked for a definition. He provided his interpretation of "Fred" as a cycling term. I decided to dig deeper. What I discovered is that there are at least three competing definitions for "Fred" commonly used by cyclists.
- A neophyte, inexperienced, or bumbling cyclist
- A poser who buys expensive, state-of-the-art cycling gear, but is more interested in being seen that actually riding
- A utilitarian cyclist who outfits their bike and themselves in a way that is at once practical, yet unstylish to serious racing cyclists
To his credit, my coworker said he believes that there's a little bit of Fred in each of us. Given the variety of definitions for "Fred," I'd say that's a safe conclusion. The category I identify with most would be #3 because at this stage in my cycling life, I'm all about commuting efficiency. This wasn't always the case.
Years ago I purchased a Vitus 979 aluminum bicycle frame. At the time it was pretty much state-of-the-art. I outfitted that frame with Campagnolo components, a lightweight drive chain, very light wheels, pretty damn narrow tires, and the first generation Profile aero bars. I was too cool for school. When I used this bike to commute from my apartment on the peninsula to Santa Clara, I liked to ride fast. A coworker at the time decided to buy a bike with the goal of making it even lighter than my Vitus. He gradually bought more and more lightweight components, a seat with titanium rails, tubular tires, you name it. Yet with each lighter component he put on his bike, his ride became even heavier when compared to the Vitus. Not sure how that could have been, but I swear it was true.
Fast-forward 25 years, bike technology has changed in big ways and my priorities have shifted, too. Instead of lightweight, competition, and speed, I'm more biased toward durability and reliability. Instead of weighing in at less than 19 pounds (8.6 kg), my commuter weighs in around 34 pounds (15.4 kg). By the time I've loaded on the panniers, the whole production tips the scales around 45 pounds (20.4 kg). Okay, I admit I still get the urge to chase down younger riders on fixies and give them a run for their money.
The biggest improvement in the past two decades would have to be lighting systems. I had one of the original NightSun headlights and it was pretty awesome back in the day. The LED lighting available now is significantly more advanced both in lumen output and battery life. I wear a helmet, as I did in the old days. And brightly colored clothing, much to the amusement of the hip, ninja cyclists I encounter each day and night that I ride. So did I used to be cool and now I'm a Fred, or is it the other way around? Beats me ...
Near as I can tell, the main reason to use a term like "Fred" (or "Doris" for female riders) would seem to be to differentiate one group of cyclists as being better than or above the rest. The way I look at it, no matter how fashionable, unfashionable, or individualistic you may or may not be, the important thing is that you are on your bike and you are out there.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Milestones and Changes
Somewhere on Adeline Street, between San Pablo Avenue and 12th Street, it happened. I completed my 6000th mile of cycling for 2013. My goal was to see how much commuting I could accomplish with my bike as opposed to using a car and to reduce my CO2e contribution to the Earth's atmosphere. Based on previous research, I calculate my cycling contributed 445 pounds (202 kg) of carbon dioxide. Driving those 6000 miles in a car would have not only been less fun, it would have contributed 5,714 pounds (2592 kg) of carbon dioxide. Keeping 5270 pounds (2390 kg) of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere is, well, ... a start.
I didn't have any students at KOAK today, but needed to go there anyway to pick up some cycling gear I'd left behind when I flatted the other night. A beautiful day, blue skies as far as the eye could see, calm winds, warm temps, and the San Francisco Bay waters were mostly still. On my way home today, I decided to take the long way and ride the eastern span of the Bay Bridge. This was my sixth trip across the bridge and even though it was Christmas Eve day, there were fewer pedestrians and cyclists than expected.
It had been over a month since I last rode the bridge and this time I saw obvious signs of the slow, methodical demolition of the old cantilever span. If you haven't made time to ride or walk the east span and you want to see the old bridge, you still have time.
Once the old cantilever section has been removed, completion of the ped/bike path to meet Treasure Island will begin. That's currently slated to be completed sometime in 2015.
All these changes and milestones got me to thinking about next year. What should my CO2e goals be for 2014? I haven't finalized them yet, but one goal is to sell one of our cars. I'm biking so much that eliminating one car wouldn't be a hardship. Quite the opposite, it would save us money on insurance, license/registration, fuel and maintenance. Another goal would be to log more miles and while that is possible it will require thoughtful discipline: Less chasing down and dropping youngsters on fixies, a slower and more efficient riding speed, continued emphasis on riding safely, staying injury free, and avoiding illness. Perhaps 7000 miles of cycling for 2014 is achievable, but the main goal is to continue to keep my CO2e down and set an example for others: You can drive less, get more exercise more (walk or bike), be healthier and happier, and generate less CO2e to boot. Think about it ...
I didn't have any students at KOAK today, but needed to go there anyway to pick up some cycling gear I'd left behind when I flatted the other night. A beautiful day, blue skies as far as the eye could see, calm winds, warm temps, and the San Francisco Bay waters were mostly still. On my way home today, I decided to take the long way and ride the eastern span of the Bay Bridge. This was my sixth trip across the bridge and even though it was Christmas Eve day, there were fewer pedestrians and cyclists than expected.
 |
| Construction on the new bike/ped path approach seems to be progressing |
 |
| Mist on the water |
 |
| Upper deck being methodically removed, bracing added ... |
 |
| A section close to the new span, debris shield installed .... |
All these changes and milestones got me to thinking about next year. What should my CO2e goals be for 2014? I haven't finalized them yet, but one goal is to sell one of our cars. I'm biking so much that eliminating one car wouldn't be a hardship. Quite the opposite, it would save us money on insurance, license/registration, fuel and maintenance. Another goal would be to log more miles and while that is possible it will require thoughtful discipline: Less chasing down and dropping youngsters on fixies, a slower and more efficient riding speed, continued emphasis on riding safely, staying injury free, and avoiding illness. Perhaps 7000 miles of cycling for 2014 is achievable, but the main goal is to continue to keep my CO2e down and set an example for others: You can drive less, get more exercise more (walk or bike), be healthier and happier, and generate less CO2e to boot. Think about it ...
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Realizing Your Potential
With a long day ahead and few lunch choices near the airport, I made a sandwich detour. The woman behind the counter saw the cycling garb and asked where I had started and where I was headed. She was shocked, thinking it impossible or impractical to ride 16 miles to work in the morning and 16 miles home in the evening. I offered that I hadn't jumped into riding that sort of mileage, I eased into it. She claimed she could never ride a bike that far and I reminded her that each of us is capable of more than we realize.
Reaching the end of the 2013 and having completed my 56th lap around the sun, I find myself above my goal of 4500 cycling miles for the year. I've upped that goal to 6000 miles and with just under 5600 miles and a few weeks left to log the remaining 400 miles, I stopped to consider how far I'd come. With age comes wisdom and as I've grown older, my focus has shifted from my own needs to helping others. That sandwich shop chat got me thinking about what to suggest to readers who might want to undertake a bicycle commute, reduce their dependence on fossil fuel, shed some weight, improve their health, and generally feel more energetic about life.
1) Start Incrementally
First a disclaimer: Verify you are healthy enough to begin cycling by checking with your doctor or by getting a physical examination.
My commute routine started with a mile or so of cycling to BART, riding the train to a station near work, and cycling the remaining five miles. 12 miles round trip was tiring at first, so I'd alternate one day riding, one day driving. Often the train home was delayed and it began to dawn on me: If I could work up to cycling the whole way, I'd get home sooner. Occasionally I'd ride the whole way home. Then I began cycling to and from work and before I knew it, I had mostly abandoned BART. The key was starting with an intermodal solution and then gradually increasing my mileage. Try to do too much, too soon and you may give up before you've established the all important exercise habit pattern.
2) Find a Route
Most people say the number one reason they don't consider bicycling is the lack of separation from motor vehicles. Bike lanes, sharrows, and green lanes are great, but they don't guarantee protection from a collision with a car or truck. Mapping software like Google Maps or the interactive New York Times bike maps can help you discover a good route. Don't put your faith in any suggested route until you've verified it yourself. You may find that designated bike routes are actually less suitable than a routing you find yourself.
3) Form Good Habits
Exercising every day is a good way to ensure success, but realize that it can take as long as two or three months to work out the logistics and for the cycling habit to become engrained. Once you've established a pattern and worked out the kinks, driving to work will seem less and less appealing. If you have to spend time getting to work, why not spend some or all of that time doing something that will make you feel better?
What about arriving at work all sweaty? A lot depends on your circumstances, but with some planning and ingenuity those issues can be worked out. I carry two panniers: One is my flight bag containing my iPad mini, headset, and various supplies. The second pannier holds a change of clothes, a sweater, and my lunch. I use panniers because I don't like carrying things on my back while riding, but these solutions are individual in nature. Experiment and find what works for you.
4) Measure Your Progress
Regardless of your goal (sleep more, eat less, exercise more), you're more likely to succeed if you have a way to measuring your progress. I find the MapMyFitness iPhone app useful for tracking my weekly mileage and time spent riding. There are other apps and they all seem to have historical measurement and graphing tools. If, for example, you see your mileage increasing by more than one standard deviation, you're probably increasing your workouts too quickly.
5) Set Achievable Goals
Nothing will scuttle you faster than setting an overly ambitious goal. Better to set a less aggressive goal that you can meet or exceed. In my own case, I set a goal of riding 4500 miles for this year even though I suspected I could do more. When I met my goal early, I adjusted it upward. Time will tell if I make the 6000 mile mark, but I'll have fun in the process.
6) Pace Yourself
Once your exercise habit pattern is established, avoid being too aggressive with your routine. Americans live in an increasingly competitive, some might say militaristic, society. Don't fall victim to the mentality of "If a little exercise is good, then more must be better." Unless you're a comic book hero, over-training will lead to burn-out, injury, illness or just a bone-tired feeling that you can't shake. The flip side of exercise is rest: We all need rest. If you have entered your fourth decade or beyond on planet Earth, you're aware that you don't recover from injury as quickly as you used to. So be wise and avoid getting injured in the first place.
7) Expect the Unexpected
Regardless of your well-laid plans, illness, injury, saddle sores, over-training, and countless obstacles crop up for cycle commuters. If you've set a reasonable goal, you shouldn't have any trouble taking a few days off when you don't feel right or if you need time to heal.
You'll also need to be prepared for unexpected bike maintenance, usually a flat tire. Install puncture resistant tires, carry the necessary tools and supplies to fix a puncture, and have the skills to do the work. Knowing how to make simple repairs in adverse conditions will serve you well.
What about rain, snow, and other icky weather, you ask? California generally has benign weather compared to where I spent my formative years (Chicago area), but things can still get nasty. Rain, strong winds, and cold temperatures with high relative humidity provide plenty of reasons to throw in the towel and just drive. My motto: "There's no such thing as poor cycling weather, only poor preparation." Fenders, shoe covers, riding tights, insulated gloves, helmet covers, and good cycling lights (front and rear) are excellent investments. Get equipped, get over the hump, get out the door, and you'll find things are not as bad they seem.
A side benefit of cycling is that you will regularly encounter unexpected moments of beauty and awe. It could be wildlife, a breathtaking sunrise or sunset, the stillness of a gentle snow fall, or the mystery of a thick fog. Consider carrying a camera and recording what you see, share these inspiring moments with others, but by all means slow down, appreciate, and enjoy.
8) Manage Risks
Reducing risk on a bike boils down to being visible, wearing a helmet, and riding responsibly and defensively. It may not be fashionable, but bright clothing and lights (front and rear) reduce the risk you'll collide with a motor vehicle or pedestrian. If you find yourself resistant to wearing a helmet, ask yourself this: Do you want to experience a traumatic a brain injury when your noggin hits the pavement? Will you enjoy relearning the alphabet in a rehab facility while your significant other feeds you soup from a spoon? In addition to wearing a helmet, ride responsibly and follow the rules of the road. There's a difference between executing an Idaho Stop at a deserted intersection and acting like a selfish jerk in heavy traffic. Don't ride like a jerk!
9) Care for Your Ride
Once a week, clean your bike, check your tire pressure, oil your chain (if you're still using a chain), and check the condition of your brakes. A little preventative attention now can prevent a roadside repair at an inopportune time and location. I've learned this the hard way. Few things match the unwanted excitement of making a tire repair on a dark and lonely urban street in a pouring rain.
10) Be an Example for Others
When people you know or work with see you have adopted bicycle commuting, they may question your mental health. There's no need to try to sell others on the virtues of using a bike as transportation. The very fact that you arrive by bike and that you look and feel great is all the evidence others will need to adjust their commuting priorities.
Reaching the end of the 2013 and having completed my 56th lap around the sun, I find myself above my goal of 4500 cycling miles for the year. I've upped that goal to 6000 miles and with just under 5600 miles and a few weeks left to log the remaining 400 miles, I stopped to consider how far I'd come. With age comes wisdom and as I've grown older, my focus has shifted from my own needs to helping others. That sandwich shop chat got me thinking about what to suggest to readers who might want to undertake a bicycle commute, reduce their dependence on fossil fuel, shed some weight, improve their health, and generally feel more energetic about life.
1) Start Incrementally
First a disclaimer: Verify you are healthy enough to begin cycling by checking with your doctor or by getting a physical examination.
My commute routine started with a mile or so of cycling to BART, riding the train to a station near work, and cycling the remaining five miles. 12 miles round trip was tiring at first, so I'd alternate one day riding, one day driving. Often the train home was delayed and it began to dawn on me: If I could work up to cycling the whole way, I'd get home sooner. Occasionally I'd ride the whole way home. Then I began cycling to and from work and before I knew it, I had mostly abandoned BART. The key was starting with an intermodal solution and then gradually increasing my mileage. Try to do too much, too soon and you may give up before you've established the all important exercise habit pattern.
2) Find a Route
Most people say the number one reason they don't consider bicycling is the lack of separation from motor vehicles. Bike lanes, sharrows, and green lanes are great, but they don't guarantee protection from a collision with a car or truck. Mapping software like Google Maps or the interactive New York Times bike maps can help you discover a good route. Don't put your faith in any suggested route until you've verified it yourself. You may find that designated bike routes are actually less suitable than a routing you find yourself.
3) Form Good Habits
Exercising every day is a good way to ensure success, but realize that it can take as long as two or three months to work out the logistics and for the cycling habit to become engrained. Once you've established a pattern and worked out the kinks, driving to work will seem less and less appealing. If you have to spend time getting to work, why not spend some or all of that time doing something that will make you feel better?
What about arriving at work all sweaty? A lot depends on your circumstances, but with some planning and ingenuity those issues can be worked out. I carry two panniers: One is my flight bag containing my iPad mini, headset, and various supplies. The second pannier holds a change of clothes, a sweater, and my lunch. I use panniers because I don't like carrying things on my back while riding, but these solutions are individual in nature. Experiment and find what works for you.
4) Measure Your Progress
Regardless of your goal (sleep more, eat less, exercise more), you're more likely to succeed if you have a way to measuring your progress. I find the MapMyFitness iPhone app useful for tracking my weekly mileage and time spent riding. There are other apps and they all seem to have historical measurement and graphing tools. If, for example, you see your mileage increasing by more than one standard deviation, you're probably increasing your workouts too quickly.
5) Set Achievable Goals
Nothing will scuttle you faster than setting an overly ambitious goal. Better to set a less aggressive goal that you can meet or exceed. In my own case, I set a goal of riding 4500 miles for this year even though I suspected I could do more. When I met my goal early, I adjusted it upward. Time will tell if I make the 6000 mile mark, but I'll have fun in the process.
6) Pace Yourself
Once your exercise habit pattern is established, avoid being too aggressive with your routine. Americans live in an increasingly competitive, some might say militaristic, society. Don't fall victim to the mentality of "If a little exercise is good, then more must be better." Unless you're a comic book hero, over-training will lead to burn-out, injury, illness or just a bone-tired feeling that you can't shake. The flip side of exercise is rest: We all need rest. If you have entered your fourth decade or beyond on planet Earth, you're aware that you don't recover from injury as quickly as you used to. So be wise and avoid getting injured in the first place.
7) Expect the Unexpected
Regardless of your well-laid plans, illness, injury, saddle sores, over-training, and countless obstacles crop up for cycle commuters. If you've set a reasonable goal, you shouldn't have any trouble taking a few days off when you don't feel right or if you need time to heal.
You'll also need to be prepared for unexpected bike maintenance, usually a flat tire. Install puncture resistant tires, carry the necessary tools and supplies to fix a puncture, and have the skills to do the work. Knowing how to make simple repairs in adverse conditions will serve you well.
What about rain, snow, and other icky weather, you ask? California generally has benign weather compared to where I spent my formative years (Chicago area), but things can still get nasty. Rain, strong winds, and cold temperatures with high relative humidity provide plenty of reasons to throw in the towel and just drive. My motto: "There's no such thing as poor cycling weather, only poor preparation." Fenders, shoe covers, riding tights, insulated gloves, helmet covers, and good cycling lights (front and rear) are excellent investments. Get equipped, get over the hump, get out the door, and you'll find things are not as bad they seem.
A side benefit of cycling is that you will regularly encounter unexpected moments of beauty and awe. It could be wildlife, a breathtaking sunrise or sunset, the stillness of a gentle snow fall, or the mystery of a thick fog. Consider carrying a camera and recording what you see, share these inspiring moments with others, but by all means slow down, appreciate, and enjoy.
8) Manage Risks
Reducing risk on a bike boils down to being visible, wearing a helmet, and riding responsibly and defensively. It may not be fashionable, but bright clothing and lights (front and rear) reduce the risk you'll collide with a motor vehicle or pedestrian. If you find yourself resistant to wearing a helmet, ask yourself this: Do you want to experience a traumatic a brain injury when your noggin hits the pavement? Will you enjoy relearning the alphabet in a rehab facility while your significant other feeds you soup from a spoon? In addition to wearing a helmet, ride responsibly and follow the rules of the road. There's a difference between executing an Idaho Stop at a deserted intersection and acting like a selfish jerk in heavy traffic. Don't ride like a jerk!
9) Care for Your Ride
Once a week, clean your bike, check your tire pressure, oil your chain (if you're still using a chain), and check the condition of your brakes. A little preventative attention now can prevent a roadside repair at an inopportune time and location. I've learned this the hard way. Few things match the unwanted excitement of making a tire repair on a dark and lonely urban street in a pouring rain.
10) Be an Example for Others
When people you know or work with see you have adopted bicycle commuting, they may question your mental health. There's no need to try to sell others on the virtues of using a bike as transportation. The very fact that you arrive by bike and that you look and feel great is all the evidence others will need to adjust their commuting priorities.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
In Praise of the Bell
There are unfortunate trends in bicycling such as wearing dark clothing, cycling at night without lights and without a helmet, riding on the wrong side of road, and rude disregard for traffic laws, but few are as disturbing as cyclists who eschew the use of a bicycle bell. Some cyclists may feel that having a bell on their bike is emasculating or childish, but that's simply not true. Bike bells come in a dizzying array of sizes, shapes and timbre and more cyclists should be using them because bells are powerful.
Bikes and pedestrians often share pathways in European countries and they have bicycle regulations requiring bicycles have certain equipment. In Germany the Straßenverkehrszulassungsordnung, or road traffic permit regulations, requires certain equipment, including a helltönenden klingel or high-toned bell. In the US, bicycle regulations vary from state to state. Compared to the StVZO, California doesn't require much bicycle equipment at all. And California law does not require a bicycle bell.
What is so important about a bell? When riding on multi-use paths or in the city, ringing a bell to alert pedestrians and other cyclist to your presence is good etiquette. Okay, many people young and old can barely spell etiquette and even fewer know what it means, but the power of a tiny bell can change all that.
With a bell, there's no need to yell "passing on your left" or "heads up" or "haul ass!" Instead, you let the sound of the bell speak for you. The pleasant, ringing isn't at all like a honking horn and carries few of the negative connotations. The bell says, politely, "I'm behind you and would like to pass." With more bike bells in the US, more Americans would remember or come to understand what the sound means. With more bike bells, Americans could become more cooperative and less contentious. If you don't have a bell on your bike, why not get one and start a re-evolution?
 |
| StVZO required equipment |
Bikes and pedestrians often share pathways in European countries and they have bicycle regulations requiring bicycles have certain equipment. In Germany the Straßenverkehrszulassungsordnung, or road traffic permit regulations, requires certain equipment, including a helltönenden klingel or high-toned bell. In the US, bicycle regulations vary from state to state. Compared to the StVZO, California doesn't require much bicycle equipment at all. And California law does not require a bicycle bell.
- Helmet for persons under 18 years of age
- Handlebars
- An attached seat
- For Night Riding
- White headlamp, attached to the bicycle or your body
- Red rear reflector
- White or yellow reflectors on front and back of each pedal
- White or yellow reflectors usually mounted on wheel spokes
- If you have tires front and rear with reflecting sidewalls you do not need side reflectors
What is so important about a bell? When riding on multi-use paths or in the city, ringing a bell to alert pedestrians and other cyclist to your presence is good etiquette. Okay, many people young and old can barely spell etiquette and even fewer know what it means, but the power of a tiny bell can change all that.
With a bell, there's no need to yell "passing on your left" or "heads up" or "haul ass!" Instead, you let the sound of the bell speak for you. The pleasant, ringing isn't at all like a honking horn and carries few of the negative connotations. The bell says, politely, "I'm behind you and would like to pass." With more bike bells in the US, more Americans would remember or come to understand what the sound means. With more bike bells, Americans could become more cooperative and less contentious. If you don't have a bell on your bike, why not get one and start a re-evolution?
Monday, November 18, 2013
Funny Symbols on Pavement
Struggling through the latter stages of a cold, I went for an easy bike ride that led to an unexpected encounter with an irate, shouting driver. My transgression apparently was choosing to use the rightmost lane of Northbound Buchanan Street in Albany that was recently marked with sharrows rather than use the crowded multi-use path that parallels Buchanan. Why I chose to use the road rather than the path may not have been obvious to a non-cyclist, but the driver's indignation was anything but subtle. Cutting to the core of these sorts of encounters requires that we recognize the auto-centric nature of our transportation system.
Most states have laws that give pedestrians and bicycles specific rights to access our nation's roads. Some portions of the interstate system even allow bikes limited access in order to bridge gaps in cycling infrastructure. Yet drivers, including the person I encountered, assume that motorized vehicles have priority over pedestrians, and bicycles.
Markings and signs that alert drivers to the presence and rights of bicyclists and pedestrians can help educate the non-cycling driver, but these don't always work. In my case, perhaps the pavement markings were too subtle for the driver in question or maybe he didn't know the markings mean bikes can share the lane with cars. For many drivers, greater mass and speed are all that matter: Might makes right.
If there's any doubt about our automobile obsession, consider the virtual absence of criminal prosecution of drivers who collide with and injure or kill pedestrians and bicyclists in many of our major cities. A recent New York Times opinion piece pointed out that if you want to kill someone without any criminal repercussions, just run over them with your car while they are walking or riding a bike. If you are not under the influence of alcohol and you don't flee the scene, you'll probably walk away without any charges. In Holland, a driver who collides with a bicyclist is assumed to be at fault unless it can be proven otherwise. Maybe explains why you're 5 times less likely to be hit by a car while cycling in Holland than in the US.
Do cyclists make overweight drivers feel angry and do these drivers then lash out at cyclists for their own lack of fitness? Or is it that we're trying to do too much, or we're late getting the kids to school, or we need to stop at the dry cleaners before heading to work, or we overslept and are in a bad mood Maybe we're stuck in heavy traffic because everyone around us is trying to get to the same concert, ball game, or celebration. These interrupted intentions create stress and often lead us to do and say things that we're later ashamed of, or at least should be ashamed of. So take a deep breath, try to get the big picture, and don't do anything stupid. To that end, enjoy this informative and clever video on ... sharrows!
Most states have laws that give pedestrians and bicycles specific rights to access our nation's roads. Some portions of the interstate system even allow bikes limited access in order to bridge gaps in cycling infrastructure. Yet drivers, including the person I encountered, assume that motorized vehicles have priority over pedestrians, and bicycles.
Markings and signs that alert drivers to the presence and rights of bicyclists and pedestrians can help educate the non-cycling driver, but these don't always work. In my case, perhaps the pavement markings were too subtle for the driver in question or maybe he didn't know the markings mean bikes can share the lane with cars. For many drivers, greater mass and speed are all that matter: Might makes right.
If there's any doubt about our automobile obsession, consider the virtual absence of criminal prosecution of drivers who collide with and injure or kill pedestrians and bicyclists in many of our major cities. A recent New York Times opinion piece pointed out that if you want to kill someone without any criminal repercussions, just run over them with your car while they are walking or riding a bike. If you are not under the influence of alcohol and you don't flee the scene, you'll probably walk away without any charges. In Holland, a driver who collides with a bicyclist is assumed to be at fault unless it can be proven otherwise. Maybe explains why you're 5 times less likely to be hit by a car while cycling in Holland than in the US.
Do cyclists make overweight drivers feel angry and do these drivers then lash out at cyclists for their own lack of fitness? Or is it that we're trying to do too much, or we're late getting the kids to school, or we need to stop at the dry cleaners before heading to work, or we overslept and are in a bad mood Maybe we're stuck in heavy traffic because everyone around us is trying to get to the same concert, ball game, or celebration. These interrupted intentions create stress and often lead us to do and say things that we're later ashamed of, or at least should be ashamed of. So take a deep breath, try to get the big picture, and don't do anything stupid. To that end, enjoy this informative and clever video on ... sharrows!
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