May is National Bike Month. The third Friday of the month is National Bike to Work Month. The holiday was invented back in 1955, when streets were a little less crowded and slower. It wasn’t quite so uncommon to bike to work, but more people were driving than ever before.
Since then, cars have become ubiquitous, and drivers have become more impatient. While we would like to enjoy cycling on roads, we want to be sure everyone is safe. The etiquette and rules are different than when you are on trails.
The very first thing to remember is that, in an accident between a car driver and a cyclist, the car wins. It doesn’t matter who is morally or legally right; the cyclist will be more injured than the driver. So, you always have to be aware of your surroundings, even when you have the right of way, even when you should be safe.
As a cyclist, you are legally a car. You ride with traffic, stop at all the same lights, and use the right lane if there is no official bike lane. Knowing the hand versions of the turn signals is essential so that others can know where you are going. Being predictable and visible keeps you safe. Using a front headlight and red rear light, as well as reflectors, makes you clearer to cars. And be vigilant about the cars around you.
Depending on where you live, you may not need to wear a helmet as an adult. You need to wear a helmet as an adult. Would you drive a car without a seatbelt? Why would you ride a bike all the way to work without any safety gear when you are surrounded by cars? It might not be the law, but your skull will thank you. Another thing you don’t have to do legally, but you should do, is pull over if there is a line of cars behind you. Many places only have one lane, and a cyclist is entitled to be in the center of it. If you have five or more cars piled up behind you, they can get angry and start to swerve quickly around you. You are legally entitled to be in the lead, but it’s not the safe thing to do. Another thing that falls under the topic of legal but ill-advised is wearing headphones. Your commute is a great time to listen to music, an audiobook or the news. But wearing headphones blocks out the sound of cars and people around you. You get a lot of information in the form of sound when you are moving through a space, whether or not you realize it. You don’t want to block one of your senses. Leave your headphones off so you can hear accidents before you’re part of them!
Consider your eyewear. Sunglasses keep the sun from blinding you. But they also keep bugs, dust and pebbles away too. Clear lenses should also be considered, even for people who don’t wear glasses, to protect their eyes from debris when they are riding to or from work in the dark.
While some folks are fine with a backpack, if you plan to commute to work regularly, you may want to get a pannier rack for your bike along with a waterproof bag, so you aren’t carrying extra weight on your shoulders. You absolutely want mudguards on your bike if you are using it to commute rather than for fun. You will get to work a lot cleaner, even when riding on roads. They protect you from mud, puddles and dust.
Things you want to be carrying include a small tool kit and knowledge of how to fix a puncture. Plus a first aid kit to fix any scrapes you might get falling off your bike. Buying a good bike lock will ensure that it’s wherever you left it in the morning at the end of the day. And having a set of clothes at work means you can change if you are sweaty when you get to work, if it rains on you, or if you get muddy.
Finally, figuring out your route will make sure your ride is pleasant rather than a chore. Remember, you may legally have to follow all the same laws as a car. But you don’t have to follow the same roads that you would take if you were in your car. There are apps for planning your route. You can plan the least used route or the flattest route. Once you take the car out of the equation, you probably aren’t looking for the fastest journey. You can tailor it to whatever you are looking for!
