Increasingly individuals are difficult the car-dominated tradition of our cities. And why not? City biking is enjoyable, wholesome and allows you to see your city in a brand new and fascinating method. A motorcycle can get you to the grocery retailer, concert events, to highschool or work—you identify it.
To affix the pedal parade, you simply must know a number of fundamentals about being a savvy and secure city rider, choosing the proper gear and equipment and learn how to preserve your bike.
Selecting a Bike
Any bike will suffice: highway, mountain, hybrid or a specialised bike similar to a cargo or e-bike. Add bike fenders if you happen to journey in wet circumstances.
No room or funds for a motorcycle? A motorcycle-share program might already be in your metropolis, or coming quickly. You’ll be able to hire a motorcycle as wanted for brief journeys after which go away your journey at a safe docking station.
For extra on bikes, see the REI Knowledgeable Recommendation article, Bicycles: Learn how to Select.
Carrying Stuff
Even a easy errand might require you to hold one thing in your bike. Select your finest resolution from these city biking equipment:
Daypack or messenger bag: For gentle masses and quick journeys. Extremely versatile. Goes the place you go, with or with out the bike.
Entrance basket: Provides Euro model and carrying capability for a number of objects. A smaller choice for the entrance of the bike is a handlebar bag.
Rear rack and panniers or basket: For heavier masses over longer distances. Some panniers double as a procuring basket or shoulder bag. Greatest for commuters and dedicated city cyclists.
Cargo trailer: For critical load hauling from the farmers’ market or house enchancment retailer.
For a more in-depth have a look at the professionals and cons of every, see the REI Knowledgeable Recommendation article, Bike Racks and Baggage: Learn how to Select.
Bike Safety
Bike theft is an unlucky truth of life. To attenuate the danger of getting your bike disappear:
Select and use an applicable lock. A light-weight cable mixture lock suffices for short-duration parking outdoors a retailer. For larger danger areas or multi-hour parking, use a heavy responsibility, keyed U-lock.
Make the most of safe bike parking providers when out there at occasions like concert events, sporting occasions and markets.
Park your bike inside your office or a retailer, if potential. Ask permission first.
In high-crime areas, think about using a motorcycle with low curbside attraction. A low resale worth is much less tempting to thieves.
Preserve your equipment safe. Use a bolted seatpost clamp, not a quick-release clamp. Take away and pocket your bike pc and lights whereas away out of your bike.
Tip: Preserve a lock both hooked up to your bike, or in your pannier or biking daypack so that’s all the time out there to make use of.
For extra, see the REI Knowledgeable Recommendation article, Bike Locks and Safety.
Bike Garments
Particular bike clothes just isn’t required for many city biking. An extended bike commute might warrant padded biking shorts, however in any other case you’ll be able to go together with your style of alternative supplied it doesn’t compromise your security. (A pair of padded liner shorts could make any clothes prepared for biking).
Keep away from lengthy scarves and billowy skirts or lengthy jackets, which may tangle within the rear wheel or brakes. On bikes and not using a chainguard, lengthy pants can get caught up within the chain or get oil marks.
Pants: If they don’t seem to be tights, both roll up or tuck the pant leg right into a sock on the chain facet, or safe with a rip-and-stick strap to stop the leg from flapping onto the chain.
Sneakers: No want for biking sneakers. Common sneakers are extra versatile. A grippy sole will assist preserve your toes on the pedals. In case you put on smooth-soled sneakers, a strapless pedal toe clip will forestall your toes sliding ahead.
Jacket: The discomforts of rain and wind could be lessened with an acceptable wind or waterproof jacket. For critical moist climate safety, add rain pants and shoe covers.
As city biking turns into extra widespread, you may discover clothes that blends biking operate with metropolis style. Stretchy wind resistant material, discrete reflective accents, and hidden roll-up pant tabs assist you to journey, work and play with out trying like a spandex style mannequin.
Driving Security
Driving safely in visitors could be distilled down to a few key behaviors:
Be seen: Put on a shiny jacket/high or white helmet. Equip your bike with entrance and rear flashing security lights, and use them at night time and in gloomy daylight circumstances. For further visibility, add spoke lights. For more information about lights, see Bike Lights: Learn how to Select.
Be authorized: To earn respect, present respect to different highway customers. Journey with visitors, not towards it. Use bike lanes the place out there. Observe the highway guidelines. Journey in single file. Journey on the road or in a motorcycle lane, not on the sidewalk until that is permitted. The sidewalk might really feel safer, however you need to keep alert for pedestrians and driveway visitors.
Be predictable: Don’t journey erratically or weave out and in of automobiles. Hand sign your turning intention earlier than you enter the flip. Be courteous to different highway customers by not needlessly blocking lanes or impeding visitors stream, until the most secure motion is to “take a lane.” When using with household or mates, give attention to the visitors and never the chat.
Bike Upkeep
Primary cleansing/upkeep includes two easy issues:
Air: All tires steadily lose air. Tires have to be pumped as much as their advisable stress a couple of times a month, no matter use. Spend money on a ground pump with a built-in gauge to make this fast and straightforward.
Oil: The drivetrain will work quietly, easily and with much less effort when stored lubed. Apply chain lube a couple of times a month, relying on use. Let it soak it, then wipe off the surplus with a material.
Tip: Take your bike to an REI bike store close to you or different respected bike-repair store for normal upkeep. An annual service will delay its life and reduce potential breakdowns
Learn how to Deal with Flat Tires
Punctures occur, however not practically as typically as you would possibly concern. Your choices are:
Prevention: Select tubeless tires that are far much less liable to puncture flats.
Plan B: Have a contingency plan. It could be calling a good friend to choose you up, or catching a bus or practice together with your bike to complete your journey. Or locking your bike up, calling a cab and attending to it later.
Repair it: Study to repair a flat, and carry the related tools (tire levers, spare tube, patch equipment, hand pump). A restore normally takes 10 minutes or so. For instruction, see the REI Knowledgeable Recommendation article and video, Fixing a Flat Tire.
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