Published by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Dane County.
Click here for the February, 1996 issue of Spoke-N Word.
Bicycle Commuting: You Can Do It Too!
Ready and Red and Raring to Go!
Committee News
Taking Back The Street
Transportation Initiative
Bicycling Benefits
The Top Ten Excuses for not Commuting by Bike
Getting started
Bike to Work Day Special
Is Your Bicycle Ready to Go to Work?
A Bike Commuter's Message to Employers and Businesses
Bicycling-- A State Of Mind
Your Car Wants to Kill You
BTA's Mission
Join the BTA
Foreword by Arthur Ross,
City of Madison Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator
The bicycle is the vehicle of choice for thousands of Madison's workers and students. The bicycle is an excellent choice for commuting, providing personal travel at the times and to destinations desired. If you live within five miles of work or school, bicycle is of ten the quickest and most efficient mode of travel. Many bicyclists commute longer distances as well. Commuting to school or work by bicycle can become an enjoyable part of your daily routine.
The City of Madison encourages the use of bicycles for transportation, and provides accomodations for bicyclists on many roads like the bike lanes on University Avenue. Some streets are signed as bike routes. These streets do not necessarily have special accomodations for bicyclists, but rather are recommended routes in a particular area, (such as Kendall St. on the near west side, and Mifflin on the Isthmus). Bicyclists are even sometimes allowed to do things motorists are prohibited from doing, like using State Street.
May 8th is Bike to Work and School Day. Why not plan on try ing bicycle commuting this one day and see if it fits your needs? A little planning ahead will make bicycle commuting more enjoyable. Once you establish a routine, bicycle commuting becomes second nature. And it gets easier the more you do it.
Please join us on May 8th. If you need additional information, you can call me at 266-6225.
by Jillian Corbett
It's noon on May 9th and State Street is teeming with lunching Madisonians. Suddenly, thirty-five volunteer-driven Red Bikes cruise toward campus. One by one the volunteers stop and dismount, leaving the Red Bikes for the next riders. Finally, the Red Bikes Project begins! Consider our first mission accomplished.
The owner of Williamson Bicycle Works, Del Henning, has joined Roger Charly and his Budget Bicycle Center as Red Bikes' repair stations. At these spaces, volunteer mechanics have repaired and donated bikes of Wheels for Winners with the spare parts, tools and know-how of employees, mechanics and owners alike. Due to diligent work like this in each aspect of the project, you can look out on May 9th, the day we will set the bikes out for the wheel-less masses.
During the next few weeks, we shall be painting the bikes with paint donated from Mautz Paint Company on East Washington. After each bike is covered-- seat to spokes to handlebars-- with bright red paint, their top-tubes will sport stickers contributed by the Dane County Chapter of the Brain Injury Association, Inc. The stickers will remind riders, naturally, to wear their helmets. The stickers will also explain the other rules of Red Bikes.
The second goal of the Red Bikes Project involves you as a bike advocate. When you see a Red Bike, even if you are not riding it, please check it out. How's the tire pressure? Are the brakes okay? Anything missing? If it's in need of repair, the above mentioned bike shops are the east and west-side drop off points, respectively.
The Red Bikes are almost here! But it's up to all of us now to spread the word, tell everyone you know what they are, keep an eye on them...let's keep them going! Remember: Better Red Than Driving! To volunteer, please call Red Bikes at 256-6340.
Jillian notes: For about two weeks there was a Red Bike prototype in Deadman's Ice Cream Shop, corner of Broom and State. Last week it was stolen. Ironic, isn't it? This wouldn't be a problem, except that it doesn't sport one of our "liability-waiver" stickers and I am afraid of the (ugly) consequences.
by Mark Shahan, BTA Action & Research Coordinator
I wish I could say BTA was responsible for getting this project under way. However, the real reason it is being done now is because of the Kohl Center construction. They have to tear the street up anyway to connect utilities so they might as well repave the street. The problem is that the Kohl Center construction will be on going for 2 years.
I would recommend patience with the reconstruction of Dayton Street for two reasons. First, this project has been recommended as a priority by the Madison Ped/bike Subcommittee for the past 5-6 years but funding was repeat edly delayed. The Subcommittee identified this street as an important bike route and recognized that the bike lanes were in horrible condition. Second, BTA pushed for this resurfacing or, at a minimum, the bike lanes, last year at the Ped/Bike Subcommittee's annual public hearing. BTA has gotten a number of complaints about the Dayton Street Bike Lanes and felt this resurfacing was long overdue.
There are three concerns the BTA Steering Committee has regarding this project. Will Dayton Street be closed for 2 years in front of the construction site? If so, it should be possible to have a two lane bike path on the north side of Dayton St. I consider it unacceptable to close this bike route for two years. To reduce congestion during such construction projects, I would think the city & UW would want to encourage alternate transportation. Then again maybe they don't.
The second problem is with the Dayton St. railroad crossing. Contrary to statements by local and state officials this crossing is a big problem. There is a curb swing out headed west-bound but the problem is in the east-bound direction. One has to swing out in the middle of the intersection to hit the tracks at a 90 degree angle. If you swing out as one normally would with some room to spare, cars think you are turning right and pull out in front of you. If you wait until the last minute to swing out, cars pull up to far and block your path. Possible solutions include painting arrows to show the path bicy clists should take as well as putting up signs and a thick white line warning cars that bikes have to swing out.
Third the bike lane markers should be removed within one hundred feet of the Park street intersection. They should be replaced by right turn arrows painted on the pavement to encourage cars to merge with the bike traffic instead of turning right in front of cyclists.
There have been complaints about unannounced closures of the detour under the convention center. I urge people to call Larry Brenneman, the Findorf site supervisor, or Larry Thomas, also of Findorf, at 250-6240 when this happens. Also, you might e-mail Arthur Ross at aross@ci.madison.wi.us or phone him at 266-4761.
There has also been discussion of a path under the convention Center in addition to the one planned to go around the center after the Convention Center is completed. I brought this idea up to the Ped/Bike Subcommittee back in December because of safety concerns about mixing Convention Center pedestrian traffic and bicycle commuters on the reopened Law Park Bike Path.
As background info, the path will consist of a 7 foot wide pedestrian path, 12 foot wide bike path, and a one foot wide separator between the two. The pedestrian path will be on the lake side and the bike path will be on the convention center side. The problem arises from the six pedestrian crossings from the six doors that open towards the bike path. These are supposed to be emergency doors but the city cannot guarantee that these doors won't be propped open during conventions.
My efforts were rewarded when the Ped/bike Subcommittee took their/my concerns to the Transportation Commission which resulted in a page three story on the issue in the April 10th Capital Times. There has been no resolution of this issue so stay tuned for more information. I rode on the detour under the Convention Center on April 20 [related story here] and I share concerns expressed to me about cement barricades and stop signs partially blocking the bike path. I found the southwest bound stop sign on the Broom St. side of the Convention Center a real hazard.
The concerns about the railroad crossing on the Lake Monona path by Olin Park and the possibility of a second road entrance into the park will also be brought before the Ped/Bike subcommittee. I will be pushing for restoration of a crossing at a 90° angle and for elimination of the second entrance.
Ken Golden put forth a reorganization plan for the Transportation Commission, Plan Commission, and Transportation Commission Planning Committee. If implemented, this plan would merge the Ped/Bike Subcommittee into a reorganized Transportation Commission which would be renamed the Pedestrian, Bicycle, Traffic Commission. The idea was to elevate Ped/Bike issues to the full committee level instead of the subcommittee level.
At the January 23 Transportation Committee meeting, I expressed concerns that ped/bike issues would get lost in all the auto related issues, that the ped/bike subcommittee had been formed specifically to make sure these issues were heard, and that there was no guarantee that ped/bike viewpoints would be rep resented on the reorganized commission. I suggested that two commission positions be reserved: one for a bike advocate and one for a pedestrian advo cate. I have heard that this proposal is currently on hold.
Some of you might have heard that the UW Ped/Bike Committee was considering a separate bike registration from the City of Madison as well as a bike monitor program similar to the one the city use to operate. The reason for the registration program was to raise money for adding bike parking on campus. The reason for the monitor program was to increase bike safety in the campus area, especially, between bikes & pedestrians. Money from fines was to help fund a bike safety program.
I spoke out very strongly against a separate registration fee noting that UW Transportation Services own figures showed the UW would spend more money implementing the program than they would get in revenue. I noted that the registration fee would be a duplication of the Madison registration program, would discourage biking on campus when the committee was trying to encourage biking, and would be unfair to require two registrations.
I also noted that biking saves the cost of building more ramps and that they could pay for the whole program for the price of building a couple stalls in a parking ramp. I recommended using the city registration, paying for better bike parking facilities with car parking revenue, having safety not $ the focus of the monitor program, and allowing violations to be worked off by taking an effective cycling course. These ideas were met very favorably by the committee.
The monitor program is on hold due to legal issues preventing the UW from keeping any fines collected. The separate registration is a dead issue. In stead, the UW will keep $4 and the City will keep $4 for each license sold on campus. The budget for ped/bike issues on campus will increase from $17,000 this year to $100,000 next year. The money is coming from transportation services (read car parking fees).
People may have noticed that the Biochemistry Building construction has closed Babcock Drive to all traffic including bikes between University Av. and Linden Dr. Tabitha Graves (UW Transportation Demand Management) was looking into whether bike access would be closed for the entire two year project. She was looking into the possibility of restoring the bike lane latter in the project and of restoring one of the cross walks that was closed.
The SERF will be expanding and in the process wiping out all the bike parking. Guess what. The plans don't call for replacing the bike parking after or during construction despite the current racks being full most of the time. Gee, I wonder where their customers are suppose to park their bikes? Maybe in the showers or the pool.
by Trevor Burwell
For an avid bicycle commuter, it is very difficult to admit to sidewalk riding. I try to avoid the self-guilt by rationalizing that riding on the sidewalk is not illegal in Madison. That's right-- sidewalk cycling is perfectly legal as long as the bicyclist gives way to pedestrians and does not ride where stores directly front the sidewalk. But as I fight for equal space with cars in Madison's streets, I feel that sidewalk riding is at best a relaxation of my goals and at worst an admission of defeat.
I confess to having ridden my bicycle on the sidewalk around the Capitol Square. This was not an isolated incident or momentary lapse of my better judgment. I have done this not once, but many times, and I may continue to do so in the near future for my personal safety.
The Capitol Square ostensibly is rather bike-friendly. There is a restrict ed flow diamond lane that states: " Buses, Bicycles, and Right Turns Only." This right-hand lane is almost double-wide, allowing cars and bicycles plenty of space and safety to pass buses and parked delivery trucks. Under the law, bicycles are not just on equal footing in this lane, but enjoy more rights than cars. But as I have taken my daily trek around the square now for over two years, I have found that I more often than not share the lane with automobiles that do not turn right and continue straight through the intersections, often with impunity in front of police cars.
This violation of the restricted flow diamond lane itself does not irk me. However, on more occasions than I can shake a frame pump at, the drivers of the cars that are not turning right (and thereby breaking the law) have harassed me to get out of their lane. They have honked, yelled, screamed, snickered, sneered, fingered, cut me off and dangerously tailgated ("fendered"?!) me.
I know I am not alone in this threat to my safety: in the August 1995 Spoke'n Word, Phillip Heasley complained that he was often cut off by delivery trucks and buses in the Capitol Square diamond lane. Mr. Heasley called the Madison Metro office and found little sympathy. I called the Police Department.
After I confirmed that cars that fail to turn right are indeed in violation of the restricted lane law, I had a police officer place my complaint on the elec tronic bulletin board for police officer briefing, asking officers to crack down on the illegal use of the diamond lane.
I realize now that riding the sidewalk was a Darwinian response, rather than a solution. In the diamond lane, I felt like the little fish; on the sidewalk, I was the bigger fish. The Capitol Square is an important route for many bicyclists, so, with the help of police enforcement, we should fight to protect our rights, and more importantly, our safety.
by Gregory McGee
Dear Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Dane County members:
I have graciously been allowed this opportunity to invite individuals to participate in drafting a proposed piece of direct initiative municipal legislation for the city of Madison. If 10,629 signatures are secured within 60 days-- by July 12th-- then the measure will appear on the Nov. 5th, 1996 ballot for the good folks of Madison to decide for themselves if they would like its contents to become law. Your voice-mail and written input is invaluable and highly appreciated.
The initiative will require that automobiles and trucks pay a municipal registration fee annually to be able to operate within the city of Madison, if they are registered at a Madison address (as stipulated by Wisconsin State Stat utes, 341.25 and 341.35). The figure currently under serious consideration is $35 per annum. The $35 figure being chosen in part to draw a connection to more environmentally friendly modes of transport, in that $35 is the cost of a one-month Madison Metro pass-- one of, if not the, best deals in town!
At $35 per vehicle, $5 million per year in revenue will be generated, with a choice of 17 capital spending projects listed so far, as to where one's fee will be allocated. In this way, the citizenry is being directly involved annually in the spending process, as opposed to being hit with just another new fee. This will enhance the political viability and chances for actual passage of the initiative. The 17 projects envisioned at this time are:
Finally, an annual newsletter will be produced by the city detailing the expenditures, and progress made on the 17 programs during the previous year to be provided at time of next year's fee payment. This provision of an accounting of how the previous year's revenue was spent, will provide legitimacy, and solicit input from the citizenry, and therefore most assuredly will be greatly appreciated!
To give feedback and input and to assist with helping to actually make the above happen, please contact:
Gregory McGee
Coordinator, Direct Democracy Network
333 West Mifflin Street, No. 2
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 283-3217 Voice-Mail
This is your chance to try bicycling to work. It's efficient. It's economical. It's healthy. It's ecological. And it's fashionable. Too often overlooked and underrated, the bicycle is the simplest and most pleasurable way to get healthier while saving our environment.
Health.
Bicycle commuting is a great way to squeeze regular exercise into a hectic schedule. Commuting time can be used to stay in shape instead of sitting frus trated in traffic. Bicycle commuting can get you to work on time more often, put you in a better mood, and help you to do your job better. And when you are in better shape, you will get sick less often.
Mobility.
Even the most powerful sports car crawls in congested traffic while bicyclists ride around it. And parking a car can be a time consuming hassle, but you can park a bike quickly and close to you destination.
Economics.
Add up what you spend getting to work every day. Bicycle commuting saves you parking fees, fuel costs, auto maintenance costs, and transit fares. A new bicycle and cycling gear would pay for itself in a few months. The largest costs of automobile ownership are paid up front: insurance and car payments. You might be able to save as much as 25 percent of your income if you can replace your car or second car with a combination of bicycling, transit, an occasional cab or rented car.
Autos are the single largest source of U.S. air pollution. Short trips those that are most bikeable are up to three times more polluting per mile than long trips. An average four-mile round-trip bike commute prevents nearly 15 pounds of auto air pollution from contaminating your air. When it substitutes for shorter auto trips, the bicycle eliminates 3.6 pounds of auto pollutants per mile. More bicycle use means less benzene, cyanide, lead, carbon monoxide, CFCs, sulfates, and ozone in the air we breathe. And since the bicycle season matches the ground-level ozone season, by biking instead of driving, you contribute to pollution prevention when it is most needed.
Bicyclists should be taxed less. If the real taxpayer subsidy of autos were reflected in fuel taxes, a gallon of gasoline might cost as much as $9.00. That's because our other taxes cover the costs of road building, maintenance, parking space, police services and losses from accidents, pollution and congestion. If more commuters bicycled, these costs would go down; all taxpayers (businesses and private citizens) would save money.
Bicycle transportation also benefits the U.S. trade balance, since less is spent on gasoline, over half of which comes from foreign oil.
10. I need my car for work.
Many transportation tasks could be handled equally well if not better on a bike. Meet with your employer and see if your company might not benefit from a more environmentally friendly image if you conducted your business by bike. Consider that many traditional tasks adapt well to cycling, whether it's police work, meter reading, postal delivery, etc.
9. I'd have to get up much earlier if I rode my bicycle.
You'd be surprised! Because of traffic in urban areas, cycling generally takes less time than driving for distances of three miles or less, and about the same time for trips of three to five miles. But even if your commute is longer, 30 minutes of extra sleep won't be nearly as invigorating as an early morning ride. You'll arrive at work alert and refreshed. Likewise, your evening ride home should leave you more relaxed since you won't face the aggravation of sitting in rush hour traffic. And you won't have to rush off to an evening work-out to unwind. You'll already have accomplished that! Also, don't forget your savings of time, money (and the environment benefit) when you eliminate visits to the gas pump.
8. I'm out of shape.
If you leave yourself plenty of time and go at an easy pace, you'll find cycling no more difficult than walking. As you ride more, you'll ease your way into better shape, building fitness that is an integral part of your schedule. If you have health problems, consult your family doctor for suggestions on getting started.
7. I can't afford a special commuting bicycle.
You don't need one. Your old beater bike gathering dust in the garage will suffice if properly adjusted and maintained, and it's less attractive to thieves. If you have a recreational bicycle you can outfit it with a lightweight rack and bag or use a fanny pack to carry necessary commute items. With the fixed cost of operating an automobile at around $0.30/mile, the money you would save commuting by bicycle on an average 10 mile round trip would buy you a $400 bicycle in six months time. (Not to mention the health benefits or the savings to the environment.)
6. I have to dress nice for work.
Some bicycle commuters simply ride in their business attire they seem to command more respect from motorists. Most ride in casual or cycling clothes and change when they arrive. You can carry your change of clothes in a pack or in panniers on the bike or even transport them back and forth on days when you don't ride.
5. There's no secure place for my bike.
There is probably a storage room or closet where your bike can be secured behind a locked door. Maybe you can even take it to your office what a status symbol! Or check and see if parking is available in nearby buildings or garages. Otherwise, fasten it to an immovable object with a U-bolt lock, preferably where you can see it.
4. I can't shower at work.
Depending on the weather, you may not need a shower if you ride at a leisurely pace. If you do, take a washcloth, soap, towel and deodorant and clean up at the restroom sink. Or look for a public facility or health club within walking distance of your workplace where you can shower. Then encourage your employer to install showers where you work.
3. What if it's rainy or cold?
Start as a fair weather bicycle commuter when the forecast is bad, don't bike. Some people may conquer the elements and commute every day, but it doesn't mean you have to. If you only ride when the weather report is favorable, it will still make a dramatic improvement. The more you enjoy bicycle commuting, the more you'll look forward to your daily ride. You will even tually decide to invest in rainwear and cold weather gear so you can commute year-round!
2. I'd have to ride in the dark.
Wear light colored reflective clothing, use a good lighting system and choose a route that avoids major thoroughfares. There are a variety of bike mounted lights that can help you see and be seen.
1. It's not safe to ride in traffic.
The fear of riding in traffic is often much greater than the actual danger. Minimize risk by riding properly visibly and predictably. In stop-and-go traffic, a fit cyclist can generally keep up with the traffic flow, so it's acceptable to maintain your place in the roadway. Hugging the curb invites danger as cars try to squeeze past you. To help prevent injury always wear a helmet.
You can also reduce the risk of riding in traffic by using less-congested secondary roads. You may travel a few extra miles, but you'll be able to enjoy the ride, a worthwhile trade-off.
First, check out your bike and yourself, especially if you haven't ridden a bike for a while. Check your bike for loose or broken parts, make sure the brakes work and that there is enough air in the tires. If in doubt about anything, you can consult one of the many bike shops in Madison or ask for a spring tune-up.
Take a few shakedown rides to get used to your bike and riding in traffic. Do this at a time when traffic is low and you are not in a hurry so you can stop if you need to, or check out different routes. Choose your route carefully.
The best way to get someplace by bicycle may not be the same way you drive. Try a few different routes to see how they compare.
Maps of the City's bicycle facilities are published by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This map is free and available from DOT, bike shops, and city libraries. The map shows the location of bike paths, and indicates which streets have bike lanes or are signed as bike routes. The back of the map has lots of good information about bicycling skills, safety and laws.
by Roger Charly
Bicycle to work on Bicycle to Work Day-- May 8th-- and Budget Bicycle Center will give your bicycle a free tune-up. Simply bicycle to Budget Bicycle Center at 1202 Regent St between 7 and 10 AM for free bagels, coffee and free bicycle repair. Your free tune-up can be done at a later date that is convenient for you. If you already had your bicycle tuned up at Budget Bicycle Center this spring and you bicycle to work or school on bicycle to work day you will be refunded the labor charge for your tune-up. Once again, simply bicycle to 1202 Regent Street between 7 and 10 AM on Bicycle to Work Day. Thank you!
This checklist will help you equip your bike to do the job. Any bicycle in good working order can be used for commuting. Make sure your bicycle is the right size for you and is properly adjusted. If you are in the market for a new bicycle, check out the hybrids and mountain bikes. Many commuters prefer the fatter tires and upright position for riding in traffic.
Baskets or Panniers
Make the bike carry your stuff. A bicycle without carrying capacity is not a convenient way to get to work. A sturdy rear rack is a must. You can strap your briefcase on with a bungee cord or use a basket, panniers, or plastic crate. Carrying capacity will also come in handy for errands on the way home.
Fenders
Fenders will keep you clean and dry in all weather. If it's not raining you can get dirty from mud and moisture on the road.
Lights
Commuters must be prepared to ride after dark. Minimally, you need a white light in front and a red light in back to make you visible and show which direction you're going. For additional visibility, wear retro-reflective clothing or attach reflective strips to your bike and/or helmet.
Helmet
Protect a very precious asset. Nobody expects to fall, but it happens to everyone. A helmet can prevent up to 85% of serious head injuries, which cause 75% of bicyclist deaths.
Maintenance
Flat prevention and reliability. Keep your bike in good working order or take it to a bicycle shop for regular tune-ups. Good maintenance is crucial to commuting because you rely on it to get you to work on time. Keep the chain and moving parts lubricated. Flats can be prevented by using Kevlar belted tires or tire liners and by maintaining proper tire pressure.
Lock
Avoid bicycle theft. Don't wait to get a bike stolen before you get a decent lock. Secure your bike to a solid object, with a good U-lock, and in a conspicuous place. Quick-release components are easy to steal; either remove them when you park or secure them with cables. If your bike is too valuable to leave outside, get a second, less expensive bike for transportation.
by Mike Rewey
Leave these coupons with your boss and local businesses if bicycle parking is inadequate.
| I Bicycled To Work Today | I Am Your Customer and A Bicyclist |
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You should know that it is difficult to safely park and secure a bicycle here. Good accessible bicycle parking would make it more attractive for me and many others to bicycle to work. More and more people in our community are using bicycles for commuting to work, shopping and errands. This is good for our health, our environment and it helps relieve traffic congestion. By providing bicycle parking, your employees, your customers and the community will benefit. I will be happy to discuss my ideas with you or the City of Madison will gladly work with you to develop bike accommodations. Please call Art Ross, Madison Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator, at 266-6225. Thanks! (Employee Signature)
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You should know that it is difficult to find a place to park a bicycle near your business. Good accessible bicycle parking would make your business more attractive to me and many other customers. More and more people in our community are using bicycles for shopping, errands and commuting. This is good for our health, our environment and helps relieve traffic congestion. By providing bicycle parking, your business, your employees and the community will benefit. The City of Madison will gladly work with you to develop bike accommodations. Please call Art Ross, Madison Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator at 266-6225. Thanks! (Customer Signature)
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Bicycling is an important mode of transportation in Madison. Around 25% of UW students use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation during good weather. That is over 10,000 bicycles, every day, for a good part of the year. It should come as no surprise, then, that downtown areas see more than their fair share of bicycles crashes.
Bicycling crash free in Madison is as much a state of mind as anything according to Arthur Ross, the City's Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator. The first issue a bicyclists has to deal with is deciding who they are relative to other traffic. It seems many bicyclists have an identity problem, are they more akin pedestrians or motorists? How you answer this question will say a lot about how you operate a bicycle.
Those who feel closer to pedestrians tend to ride a lot on sidewalks. When riding on the street, they ride too far to the right, often in the gutter or close to parked cars. They will also ride against traffic and run stop signs and red lights. It seems the main philosophy of these bicyclists is to stay out of the way of cars at all costs. Bicyclists like this tend to be involved in a lot of crashes.
Two factors lead to many of these crashes. First, these bicyclists are oper ating in locations where motorists do not expect them (sidewalk, against traf fic) or in areas where motorists do not fully search for traffic (in the gutter, close to parked cars). Second, these bicyclists often have a false sense of security. They think, when riding on a sidewalk a motorist can not hurt them since they are not in the street. Unfortunately, out of the street is also out of mind. Every driveway and every intersection presents the potential for a crash with a motorist, and these motorists are not thinking of the sidewalks for bicyclists.
Bicyclists who consider their bicycle as a vehicle, and ride in traffic the same as they would drive a car, fare a lot better. They always ride with traffic, and position themselves on the road to be visible to the drivers and to communicate their intended actions. This means riding 3 to 4 feet from the curb, never in the gutter, as well as 3 to 4 feet from parked cars. At intersections they will move toward the center of the lane to not only be more visible, but also to allow a driver who wants to turn right to turn from the bicyclist's right side.
Remember that your bicycle is a vehicle. You follow essentially the same rules of the road and you have the same rights when riding a bicycle as when driving a car.
Be predictable. Operating outside the rules of the road is unexpected and may lead to crashes.
Be visible. Wear bright colors during the day. Use reflectors and lights during the night. Make sure others can see you and you can see the road.
Communicate with other drivers. Make eye contact with them to be sure you have been seen. Signal your turns and lane changes.
Be aware of hazards. Watch the road ahead for surface hazards like broken glass, sand and potholes. Watch out for traffic, including pedestrians, at intersections and driveways. Trees, shrubs and fences can create visual screens. Weather and light conditions create visual hazards, too. Adapt your riding style to minimize these and other hazards.
Ride with traffic. Riding against traffic is unpredictable, especially to drivers at intersections, driveways or parking spaces. Bike lanes go one way only, in the same direction as adjacent traffic, unless signed otherwise.
Ride at least three feet from parked cars to avoid being hit by a suddenly opened car door.
Always look behind you for traffic before changing your position on the road.
Cross railroad tracks at a right angle to avoid getting your front wheel caught and falling.
Ride defensively. Be aware of what is going on around you and watch for other drivers' mistakes. Some common situations to watch for include: a motorist coming towards you turns left in front of you; a motorist passing you and then turning right in front of you; a motorist pulling out from a stop sign, driveway, or parking space without yielding to you.
Wear a helmet. Protect yourself from the unexpected by wearing your helmet whenever you ride. Head injuries cause 75% of bicyclist deaths. Wearing a helmet reduces the chance of a head injury by 85%.
Click here for this article.
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Dane County advocates the use of bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation and recreation. We work for recognition and support of bicyclists and bicycle issues such as bicycle safety, inclusion of bicycle routes in transportation and land use planning, and increased access to existing commercial and residential districts. We pursue our goals through community education, legislative action, and working with like-minded groups.
Think of the great biking routes you lost in the last ten years. Think of the roads you are riding on now. Ten years from now they will be gone due to the same developmental pressures. Join us now, don't let a second John-No-Lane happen to you!
Members not only receive the benefits of effective representation in a growing bicycle advocacy organization, they also receive member discounts at these bicycle shops:
Steering Committee meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, location to be announced. All members are welcome to Steering Committee meetings as well.
BTA
PO Box 641
Madison, WI 53701-0641
Hotline: 251-1BTA
Email: bikies-request@gcg.com
WorldWideWeb: http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp
Click here for the February, 1996 issue of Spoke-N Word.
