National Bike Month

Although it's almost over, May is National Bike Month. I thought today was Bike-to-Work day, but I think I was off by a week. Nevertheless, my spouse decided to ride today, first time ever. He forgot a couple of key items, including his belt, but otherwise the trip itself went smoothly.

He learned a few things that I pass on to bicyclists and drivers who care:

* When a bicyclist is riding along the side of the road near the shoulder, don't "slip past." The rider is not a mailbox--if you hit him with any part of your car, even your rearview mirror, he will probably sustain more than a dent.

* Bicyclists are advised to ride in the center of the road like a car. Any driver who is following must wait for an opportunity to pass, just as he would if the bike were a car. The cyclist is not trying to frustrate you or make you late; he is following the rules and trying to preserve his life. Please be patient; encourage him for taking a risk--he's helping the environment, too, you know, as well as his health and our fuel budget.

* He took a bike path as far as possible, then a road. It wasn't the fastest route, and even with that handicap, it only took him 15 extra minutes to get to work. If he tries another route, he may be able to make it even faster. Maybe more people would be surprised how fast they could get to work if they just tried it?

* He packed a simple lunch he could tote in the small carrier attached to the back of his bike. That way he wouldn't have to go out for lunch (though his company has a cafeteria, if he needed to eat and forgot to take something).

* Three people from his work live on our side of town--one even lives in our neighborhood--so if a storm blows through at 6:00 p.m. and he can't ride home, he can leave his bike there and catch a ride with one of them. To have alternatives in case of a problem makes it easier to take the risk of being without a car. A less personal option is offered through a city organization trying to promote alternative transportation. The organization guarantees free transportation if you run into a glitch (not a ditch, though that certainly would cause a glitch). This encourages carpooling, too--if your ride bails on you to get to her daughter's piano recital that she forgot about and you're left stranded, this program will call a cab, free of charge. Same with biking to work--if a terrible storm blows up or you get a flat, they'll arrange for safe and free transportation. They really want people to take more risks and every so often try life without a car.

This story covers some of this in a third-person fashion. It also points out that bikes aren't supposed to be on sidewalks; in fact, one guy says it's against the law. One more reason to be understanding of the law-abiding bicyclist slowing you down a bit: he or she is supposed to be on the road.

http://www.intakeweekly.com/articles/3/024451-6023-154.html

Today I need to pick up a few things at the store. I'm so inspired by my spouse and this article (and so depressed about gasoline), I think I'll just ride.