Beginner's Guide to Bicycle Commuting
Most people today think of the bicycle strictly as a recreational item,
but it wasn't always that way.
In the late 1800s, when bicycles first hit the market,
they were a sensible alternative to the horse,
and provided basic transportation to many.
We can still use our bicycles today for transportation in place of our
cars.
Bicycle commuting is generally thought of as bicycling to work,
but you can also use your bike to ride to the grocery store,
visit your friends, or do other errands.
Bicycle commuting isn't all that complicated, but there are several
things that you might want to consider before starting:
Route
Legally, cyclists can ride on any road except interstates, but there
are some roads which are way too dangerous for my taste.
If you can't find a route to your destination which you feel safe riding,
then forget about biking there.
There are a few obstacles which you may have to deal with on the
south side of Indianapolis.
White River forms a barrier that can only be crossed at one spot
(Southport Road) between I-465 & State Road 144 at Waverly.
Few roads cross I-465 or I-65, and those that do usually have fairly
heavy traffic.
When trying to plan a route across interstates,
look for roads which do not have interchanges.
Once you have planned your route to work, test it out sometime on a
weekend before you try it for real during rush hour.
Bike & Other Equipment
Most any type of bike will do.
Whatever you ride now is probably fine.
If you're looking to buy a bike,
many commuters like to ride
Cross Bikes
because of their upright handlebars (to see traffic a
little better) and their slightly wider tires absorb bumps & rough spots
in the road better.
I use my
Touring Bike
when I commute to the grocery store.
Instead of carrying my camping gear in the panniers,
I pack my groceries there.
If you need to carry anything when you commute,
you may need some bags.
There are a variety of items you might fit your needs.
A cycling mirror is highly-recommended to help you keep an eye on traffic
behind you.
I use the helmet-mounted type,
but the bike-mounted type will also work fine.
Bike Security
The best security for a bicycle is to put it inside a locked building.
If that option is not available, then you should invest in a good lock &
cable.
If you have to leave your bike in a high-crime area,
consider investing in a heavy-duty lock & cable,
or riding an inexpensive bicycle, or both.
Weather
If you commute to the grocery store,
weather is not much of a problem.
If you commute to work, the weather can change dramatically from the
morning to the afternoon.
Thunderstorms can pop up very quickly in Indiana without much warning.
You need to have a plan on how you will deal with afternoon rain.
If you plan to ride through it, invest in some good rain gear.
Other Bicycle Commuting Sites
- Start Commuting!
A June 2002 article for CIBANEWS by Indianapolis resident Chuck Fearnow,
who commutes downtown from his northside home.
- BikeToWork
A very good, straightforward site about bicycle commuting from two guys
who live in neighboring Ohio.
They are used to dealing with similar weather & road conditions to what
we have in Indiana.
- GoneCycling.com
is a Vancouver site which has some good info on bicycle commuting and
other types of cycling.
-
Bicycle Commuting in Madison (Wisconsin)
is written by the Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Coordinator for the city of
Madison.
