The Bicycle as a Means of Transportation

The Bicycle as a

Means of Transportatio

n

BIKE COMMUTING

This presentation is courtesy of the League of Michigan Bicyclists. LMB is a member supported not-

for-profit organization dedicated to the

promotion of bicycling and the safety of bicyclists on the roadways in Michigan

since in 1981.

Bike Commuting

Assumptions:

• You own a bicycle

• You know how to ride a bicycle

• You know that bicyclist are to ride with traffic … contrary to what you may have been taught in school

Bike Commuting

Why do you want to Bike Commute?

• Save money on gas• Health • Environment

Bike Commuting Myths

MYTH: Only the fit and trim among us have enough

strength and stamina to Bike commute.

REALITY: REALITY: Bicycling Bicycling is one of the is one of the

easiest activities easiest activities because of the because of the

gearing of the bike. gearing of the bike. In addition, there is In addition, there is

no rule that says no rule that says you must commute you must commute

the entire route. the entire route. Something is better Something is better

than nothingthan nothing.

MYTH: One cannot be professional looking and a

bicycle commuter.

REALITY: Many professionals in all

levels of industry bike commute. It just takes a little extra planning

and adaptation.

MYTH: I become too "wet" MYTH: I become too "wet" or "smelly" from riding so or "smelly" from riding so

I need a shower when I I need a shower when I get there.get there.

REALITY: Very few days in Michigan are

hot in the early morning. Save the race speed for the

trip home!

MYTH: You need a MYTH: You need a great bike to commute.great bike to commute.

REALITY: Many bicyclists use a REALITY: Many bicyclists use a very ordinary bike to commute, very ordinary bike to commute, and keep their fancy ones for and keep their fancy ones for

tours, or racing. The more tours, or racing. The more ordinary the bike is, the less ordinary the bike is, the less

likely it is to get stolen.likely it is to get stolen.

MYTH: One needs MYTH: One needs sidewalks, bike paths and sidewalks, bike paths and trails to safely ride, even trails to safely ride, even

to work.to work.REALITY: Sidewalks are statistically more dangerous. Bike paths are only useful if they go to where you are going. A little planning will put you on backstreets and parallel routes that are safe.

It’s the Law!It’s the Law!

A bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a motor vehicle

Ride to the right ... Exceptions include:o Turning Lefto Passingo When unsafeo Straight at right turn laneo One way street

Signal Turns

Obey Traffic Signals

Rider Etiquette• Hand signals





• Trail/sidewalk o When passing – call out “on your left”o Yield to pedestrians

• Communicationo Greet other bicyclists with a hello and a

wave

Sharing the Road

Bike lanes & striped shoulderso Middle of lane – leave room to

escape

Sharing the Road

No bike lanes (shared roadway)Don’t hug the edge

Rule of thumb – ride in car’s right tire path

Sharing the Road

How to safely traverse intersections

• Straight

Sharing the Road


• Right

Sharing the Road


• Left

Sharing the RoadHow to deal with

right turn lanes

Shared Roadway Bike

Lane

Sharing the Road

• Bicyclists should ride straight, not dodging between parked cars

• Bicyclists should ride 3-4’ from car where door may open

Car B crosses sidepath, turning right:

Rarely stops at stopline, usually in crosswalk or at street edge

May not even stop Often will only look left Might see Cyclist 2, Less likely to see Cyclist 1

Sharing the RoadTrail/Sidewalk Cautions at intersections

Car A turning right:

Might see Cyclist 1 Less likely to see Cyclist 2

Many will not yield right-of-way

Faster turning speeds increase the chance of a collision

Trail/Sidewalk Cautions at intersections

Car C looks ahead, not where the cyclist is on the path, waits for gap to turn left, accelerates through turn

• Might see Cyclist 4, • Unlikely to see Cyclist 3• If traffic gap is short,

sudden stops would be difficult

Trail/Sidewalk Cautions at intersections

Traffic Signals

Many traffic signals are triggered by electrically charged wires buried under the pavement.

When a vehicle stops over them it disrupts the current.

Most bicycles contain enough metal to trigger the light.

You need to know where the most sensitive spots are.

How to make traffic signals turn green

Traffic Signals Look for cut lines in the pavement.

The most sensitive spots are:

Diamonds: just inside one of the points

Traffic Signals Rectangles: up front in the middle

Traffic Signals• Circles: about a quarter of the way in

Traffic Signals The most sensitive spots are:

Diamonds: just inside one of the points

Rectangles: up front in the middle

Circles: about a quarter of the way in

Some signals are tripped by motion sensors, which can easily sense a bicycle.

Where to Ride

Precautions• Pedestrians• Wind• Rain• Wet roads• Snow/ice• Dogs

Where to Ride

Where to Ride

• Alternatives to busy roads• Resources to map your route

o Local bike route maps o State Maps:

o http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9615_11223-22734--,00.html

o Mapping Program:

o http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

Multi Modal Trips

Bus

Multi Modal Trips

Train

Multi Modal Trips

Airplane

Multi Modal Trips

Ferry

Bike Fit

Bike Fit

• Seat Height

Bike Fit• Weight distribution (Rule of thumb -

2/3 on saddle and 1/3 on handlebars)

Adjust seat distance to handlebars

Basic Maintenance

• Local bike shop • A-B-C Quik Check• Fixing a flat

A is for “air”

•Tire Wear

•Air pressure

•Spokes

•Rims

•Adjustment

•Cables

•Pads

•Crud build up

B is for “brakes”

•Lubricated

•Cranks & Chainring

•Cassette

•Drive train shifting

C is for “chain”

Quik

•Quik releases and axle nuts

Check

•Check to make sure everything works properly within the 1st block of your trip

On Road Repairs

Basic tools to carry

How to fix a flatRelease Brakes

Remove Wheel

Remove Tire

Remove Tube

How to fix a flat

Install new tube

Put Tire Back on Rim

Inflate tube to pressure on side of tire

Check tire for embedded objects

How to fix a flat

Put Wheel Back on Bike

Re-attach brakes

Basic equipment you will need for your bike

How to carry “stuff”

Back pack

Messenger bag


Rack pack


Panniers

Handlebar bag


Basket


Trailer


Automobile

How not to carry “stuff”

YES

NO

Lighting for night riding

Tires

• Knobby vs slick (semi-slick)

• Narrow vs wide

• High pressure vs low pressure

• Lightweight vs heavy duty

Personal choice based on type of bike you are riding and conditions of roads. Commuters ride on all types.

Optional Equipment

• Fenders

•Rear rack

Optional Equipment

• Water bottle & cage

•Bike computer

Optional Equipment

• Mirror

•Bike bell

How to outfit yourself

• Helmet

• Proper Fit


Basic clothing• Highly visible• Lightweight

and comfortable

Optional clothing• Bike shorts• Bike Gloves• Pant straps• Bike shoes • Rain gear• Safety vest


Cold weather considerations• Layers• Head• Feet• Hands

How to pack “Stuff”• Clothes

o Water proof bag


o Water proof bag o Roll


o Water proof bag o Rollo Permanent press/wrinkle free – carry on bikeo Dry cleaned or ironed – carry in car

• Items best to leave at your place of work o Shoeso Toiletry items

• Keys, wallet, cell phone, glasses, etc.• Laptops and/or file folders

How to Clean Up

Showers available

Bathroom sink

How to Clean Up

Facial wipes

Casual look

Bike Parking

Secure indoor spot

Bike Parking

Outside parking

Bike Parking

Locks

Questions?

“We hope that you enjoyed this Bicycle Commuting power point from the League of Michigan Bicyclists. Our

purpose is to improve bicycle safety for everyone who rides in Michigan!”

“We hope that you enjoyed this Bicycle Commuting power point from the League of Michigan Bicyclists. Our

purpose is to improve bicycle safety for everyone who rides in Michigan!”

www.lmb.org 888-642-4537www.lmb.org 888-642-4537

Documents

The Bicycle as a Means of Transportation