"When man invented the
bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine
of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike
subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used
it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product
of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used
it, and of no harm or irritation to others."
- Elizabeth West, Hovel
in the Hills
Overcoming
the Obstacles of Commuting
By Monica Leo, from the monthly
publication of the Austin Cycling Association
A growing number of people who
ride a bike for transportation have figured out ways to overcome
obstacles which prevent many potential bike commuters from giving
it a try.
Obstacle 1: Safety
Route Selection is key to
feeling safe on your ride to work. The safest and most enjoyable
route for you to take on your bike is probably not the route you
use when driving your car. Generally, avoid streets on busy bus
routes. Playing leapfrog with a bus is not only irritating but potentially
unsafe. Alleys make bad shortcuts, known for poor surface conditions
and unpleasant odors. And drivers are not looking for a bicycle
to come out of an alley on to the street.
The Austin
Bicycle Map is a great tool for route selection because the
streets are color coded based on factors like traffic volume, availability
of shoulders or bike lanes, and incline. Another resource is other
bicycle commuters. Ask people for their suggestions!
Visibility is about wearing
wearing reflective clothing, using those blinking lights, and positioning
yourself while you're riding to increase the probability that drivers
will see you. At intersections, stop behind a car where you can
see the driver's face in the driver-side outside rearview mirror.
In addition to ensuring that the driver can see you, that position
also makes you visible to cars on the opposite side of the intersection
who might otherwise not see you before starting a left turn through
the intersection.
Make eye contact with drivers.
Don't ride where people are not
looking.
Don't ride against traffic.
Following the Rules of the Road
will possibly have the greatest impact on your overall safety.
If you don't already know the Texas bicycle laws, please take the
time to learn them before you start riding in traffic. Several local
organizations provide traffic cycling skills courses and resources
to refresh your knowledge of road rules (See links below).
Obstacle 2: Distance
There is no rule saying that you
must ride your bike the entire distance.
"Multi-modal transportation"
describes the practice of using two or more forms of transportation
to get to your destination. You could drive part of your trip to
work and bike the rest of it. Over time you could gradually drive
less, increasing the distance you ride to work, and eventually bike
the entire way. Another option is to use the bus to transport you
and the bike part of the way. All full-size Capital Metro buses
now include bike racks. For more information, visit Bikes
on the Bus.
Obstacle 3: Hygeine and "How
am I going to carry all my stuff?"
Many large office buildings or
complexes have showers somewhere on the premises; it's just a matter
of finding out where thay are and getting permission to use them.
Ask building management or the maintenance personnel if there might
be a shower available for your use.
Consider joining a fitness center
near your office to use their shower facilities. Depending on how
often you ride your bike, you may be able to offset the cost of
the membership by reduced parking fees and the cost of gas.
Another option is to shower at
home and use a showerless personal hygiene product, like a toner
or astringent.
For clothes, lunch, and other essentials,
some bike commuters prefer panniers or other bags designed to attach
to racks mounted over the rear tire because it frees the rider from
the weight and heat of a backpack or courier. Which form of bag
you choose may depend on your bike. If you sit upright, a backpack
may be most suitable. Courier bags are designed to hold the bag
in place and manage the weight distribution, even as the biker leans
over.
If you have that gym membership,
or lockers in your office, the ideal set up is to keep a pair of
shoes and several changes of clothes there. Taking the time to bring
clothing to the locker one day will prevent a lot of hassle and
coordination for the rest of the week.
Resources
for Bicycle and Pedestrian Commuting
The links below provide tips for
a safe and healthy start as a bicycle or pedestrian commuter. You'll
find tips like help with assessing your neighborhood's "walkability,"
planning a safe and efficient bike route, and packing office clothes
in a bike bag.
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A
non-profit organization with the mission of furthering bicycle
access, safety, education, and enjoyment in Austin and Central
Texas. |
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A non-profit
with the mission to develop and steward the future of bicycling
in Texas by encouraging bicycle use as a healthy and mainstream
lifestyle. |
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An online magazine for
cycling culture with articles concerning every cycle, from roadie
to BMXers to bike commuters. |
| The
Bike Hub - National Bicycle Safety Network |
Hosted
by the Center for Disease Control and is an outstanding guide
to bicycle safety issues. |
| Bicycle
Federation of America |
Provides resources for bicycle
and pedestrian planning and advocacy. |
| Austin
Cycling News |
A news blog for the transportation
cyclist, including Texas bicycle laws |
| City
of Austin Bicycle and Pedestrian Program |
Includes
general bicycling information as well as Austin bike route maps. |
| Bicycle
Austin Forum |
Discuss commuting routes, justice issues
(like collisions), and upcoming rides and events |
| Pedestrian
and Bicycle Information Center |
Current news and information
about health and safety, advocacy, policy enforcement, and mobility
for pedestrians and bicyclists. |
| The
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center |
Provides technical information
on non-motorized transport planning and programs. |
| Perils
for Pedestrians |
A monthly cable television
series that promotes pedestrian awareness. The website includes
links to other pedestrian advocacy sites. |
| America
WALKS |
A coalition of advocacy groups
across America. |
| Walkable
Communities |
Helps people create more people-oriented
environments within their communities. |
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Austin
Bike Zoo
|
The artistry
and theatre of puppetry combined with the strength of human
movement, and bikes, to create 70' rattlesnakes and 15' butterflies.
Awesome! |
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