The Bicycle as a Means of Transportation

1. BIKE COMMUTING The Bicycle as a Means of Transportation

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Bike Commuting Why do you want to Bike Commute? • Save money on gas • Health • Environment

5. Bike Commuting Myths

6. MYTH: Only the fit and trim among us have enough strength and stamina to Bike commute. REALITY: Bicycling is one of the easiest activities because of the gearing of the bike. In addition, there is no rule that says you must commute the entire route. Something is better than nothing.

7. 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.

8. MYTH: I become too "wet" or "smelly" from riding so I need a shower when I get there. REALITY: Very few days in Michigan are hot in the early morning. Save the race speed for the trip home!

9. MYTH: You need a great bike to commute. REALITY: Many bicyclists use a very ordinary bike to commute, and keep their fancy ones for tours, or racing. The more ordinary the bike is, the less likely it is to get stolen.

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

11. It’s the Law! • A bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a motor vehicle • Ride to the right ... Exceptions include: • Turning Left • Passing • When unsafe • Straight at right turn lane • One way street • Signal Turns • Obey Traffic Signals

12. Rider Etiquette • Hand signals

13. Rider Etiquette • Hand signals

14. Rider Etiquette • Hand signals

15. Rider Etiquette • Hand signals

16. Rider Etiquette • Hand signals • Trail/sidewalk • When passing – call out “on your left” • Yield to pedestrians • Communication • Greet other bicyclists with a hello and a wave

17. Sharing the Road Bike lanes& striped shoulders • Middle of lane – leave room to escape

18. Sharing the Road No bike lanes (shared roadway) Don’t hug the edge Rule of thumb – ride in car’s right tire path

19. Sharing the Road How to safely traverse intersections • Straight

20. Sharing the Road How to safely traverse intersections • Right

21. Sharing the Road How to safely traverse intersections • Left

22. Sharing the Road How to deal with right turn lanes Shared Roadway Bike Lane

23. Sharing the Road • Bicyclists should ride straight, not dodging between parked cars • Bicyclists should ride 3-4’ from car where door may open

24. Sharing the Road Trail/Sidewalk Cautions at intersections 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

25. Trail/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

26. 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

27. Traffic Signals How to make traffic signals turn green • 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.

28. Traffic Signals • Look for cut lines in the pavement. • The most sensitive spots are: • Diamonds: just inside one of the points

29. Traffic Signals • Rectangles: up front in the middle

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

31. 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.

32. Where to Ride Precautions • Pedestrians • Wind • Rain • Wet roads • Snow/ice • Dogs

33. Where to Ride

34. Where to Ride • Alternatives to busy roads • Resources to map your route • Local bike route maps • State Maps: • http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9615_11223-22734--,00.html • Mapping Program: • http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

35. Multi Modal Trips Bus

36. Multi Modal Trips Train

37. Multi Modal Trips Airplane

38. Multi Modal Trips Ferry

39. Bike Fit

40. Bike Fit • Seat Height

41. Bike Fit • Weight distribution (Rule of thumb - 2/3 on saddle and 1/3 on handlebars) Adjust seat distance to handlebars

42. Basic Maintenance • Local bike shop • A-B-C Quik Check • Fixing a flat

43. Ais for “air” • Tire Wear • Air pressure • Spokes • Rims

44. Bis for “brakes” • Adjustment • Cables • Pads • Crud build up

45. Cis for “chain” • Lubricated • Cranks & Chainring • Cassette • Drive train shifting

46. Quik • Quik releases and axle nuts

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

48. On Road Repairs Basic tools to carry

49. How to fix a flat ReleaseBrakes Remove Wheel Remove Tire Remove Tube

50. How to fix a flat Check tire for embedded objects Put Tire Back on Rim Install new tube Inflate tube to pressure on side of tire