Bike Buddies Needs Your Input! What do new cyclists NEED to know?!

Hello Chainlinkers, how's it goin?

So, many of you read and replied to the last post about starting Bike Buddies, a volunteer organization that would link up aspiring cyclists with enthusiastic volunteers that want to see more pedaling on the road.  The first forum is here with more details.  The idea of program is to alleviate any nervousness and/or fear that comes with riding in Chicago streets.

As we are thinking about what key points we need to communicate with the program's participants, we want to know what has helped you feel comfortable on the road.  What you say here may influence how we train volunteer Bike Buddies who will be the folks chatting and riding with the new folks.  So please reply with what you think would be most important to share with newbies.

Feel free to write whatever you feel necessary but a few questions to get your mind moving could be...

  • What is some of the best advice you've gotten that has helped you feel comfortable?
  • What do wish someone had told you before you started cycling?
  • What are some of the trickiest parts of Chicago riding and how do you avoid or maneuver them properly?
  • What are the top 5 things every cyclist should know?

Thanks for helping, I and all of the new Chicago riders appreciate it!

Lastly, if you would like to contribute to the formation of Bike Buddies, please email chibikebud@gmail.com and we'll be connected :) Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Gerry G on February 6, 2012 at 1:09pm

Don't be a "Bleeder"!  I'm coining a new phrase for those who ubiquitously run red lights. 

At a very minimum put a foot down at red traffic lights.  Lest you bleed freely when it's not your turn to

proceed.    

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 6, 2012 at 4:29pm

I like the term bleeder.

At least don't be that guy who shoals up past everyone else on bikes waiting behind the crosswalk, gets in front of them, only to ride little circles in the corner of the intersection getting in everyone's way (bike, peds, and car alike) and showing off his track stands.  

At a red light I come to a complete stop at least, touch & go with a foot, before taking the Idaho pink. 


Steel Driver said:

Don't be a "Bleeder"!  I'm coining a new phrase for those who ubiquitously run red lights. 

At a very minimum put a foot down at red traffic lights.  Lest you bleed freely when it's not your turn to

proceed.    

Permalink Reply by Shelley Scott on February 6, 2012 at 5:41pm

Random thoughts....

for winter biking, warm fingers and warm toes=happiness. I can wear a simple waterproof windbreaker year round and be fine--I warm up once I get moving, but the toes need extra layers (and waterproof boots for extra warmth) and the fingers need my big goretex mittens once it dips below 30. 

I am always always always watching the doors of parked cars. It is true that it's a violation on the part of the car driver if he/she opens the car door into the bike lane (moving traffic), but prevention is the key to happiness here. My awareness has helped me swerve and prevent many collisions, but despite my cautiousness, I've still been doored twice, breaking my fall with my helmet both times. For me, helments are NOT optional as I truly believe they saved my life. (Cracked bike helmets make lovely hanging flower planters by the way.) Cracked helmet is easy to replace; cracked skull is not.

I use the city's online bike map to plan my routes http://www.cityofchicago.org/cityinfo/cdot/bikemap/keymap.html and also have a print copy covering most of the front of my refrigerator for quick reference.

If your destination doesn't have a good place to lock your bike, request that the city install a bike rack  http://chicagobikes.org/bikeparking/#rackrequest. I've been successful several times in getting a rack installed.

I always carry an extra tube and simple tools to change a flat. The one time I forgot those items I got a flat and had to learn on the fly how to use the bike rack on the front of the bus. As someone else posted, it would be good to try to learn that before needed to avoid the anxiety of having difficulty putting it on the bus rack the first time.

Cars have often yelled at me to ride my bike on the sidewalk. If possible I calmly tell them it is against the law in the city since I'm older than 12. I refuse to take on any of their road rage. Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat. That's the best way to deal with cardrivers' road rage--don't let the situation escalate.

I smile at the drivers next to me when I'm stopped at a light. I truly think this helps them be more considerate of me.

Permalink Reply by Nick Butterfield on February 6, 2012 at 7:24pm

You're absolutely right, but i still like yelling things, or singing the turn signal song, whilst glaring. that righteous swelling of the chest and embittered chuckling really helps my cadence.


Shelley Scott said:

Cars have often yelled at me to ride my bike on the sidewalk. If possible I calmly tell them it is against the law in the city since I'm older than 12. I refuse to take on any of their road rage. Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat. That's the best way to deal with cardrivers' road rage--don't let the situation escalate.

I smile at the drivers next to me when I'm stopped at a light. I truly think this helps them be more considerate of me.

Permalink Reply by MK on February 7, 2012 at 7:58am

I agree with y'all that it's not a definite you'll get hit, but I do think a good warning is "Don't expect everyone to see you, no matter how visible you are." People don't always see bikes. This includes pedestrians, and even other bikers. Be defensive. Don't be afraid to stop.

Kevin C said:

+1. Aside from the fact that I disagree with the statement, I think you'll freak out the new riders if you tell them they are assured of getting hit.



Anne B. said:

I'm concerned about telling new cyclists "It's not a matter of "if" you get hit , it's a matter of when you get hit!" ...I mean, I agree that it's largely true but if you'd told me that when I first started biking here I'd have been really put off by it and people have enough fear starting out. I think it would be better to share defensive biking tips, as well as tips on what to do IF you are in a bike accident but making it sound wholly inevitable doesn't seem likely to encourage new cyclists. 

Permalink Reply by Liz on February 7, 2012 at 8:25am

+1

I would add to this: its ok to only ride when you enjoy it. Nothing wrong with getting on the bus/L when you are not enjoying the ride (cold, wet, hungry).  Start small, and work yourself up instead of pushing yourself into something you aren't ready for and wont enjoy.  

Kevin C said:

Riding a bike is fun.

The people who seek out purportedly more experienced strangers for instruction or "buddying" either already know this, or strongly suspect it. Reinforce it. Keep it simple. If they express concerns, address them. "Fun" is vastly underrated.

 

Permalink Reply by Gerry G on February 7, 2012 at 11:34am

Howard terrific primer.  People starting from different skill levels will benefit from it. Thanks for creating and sharing it here.  Honestly it probably takes a few hundred hours to get comfortable riding in traffic.  Repetition processing whats going on and integrating it with an individual ability's takes time to develop.  

Last thing to freak me out? The speeding squeeze by right on red turner, when I'm stopped for a signal in the bike lane. Adjustment stop closer to the curb still in the marked bike lane.              

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on February 7, 2012 at 12:55pm

#bicycling

Steel Driver said:

Howard terrific primer.  People starting from different skill levels will benefit from it. Thanks for creating and sharing it here.  Honestly it probably takes a few hundred hours to get comfortable riding in traffic.  Repetition processing whats going on and integrating it with an individual ability's takes time to develop.  

Last thing to freak me out? The speeding squeeze by right on red turner, when I'm stopped for a signal in the bike lane. Adjustment stop closer to the curb still in the marked bike lane.              

Permalink Reply by Kevin Swanson on February 10, 2012 at 4:39pm

Hello all!  Thanks a ton for all the input.  We'll definitely be using a bunch of it in during our trainings and provide a link to this forum page for all the participants. 

Chainlinkers and Chicago cyclists are really the best :)

Permalink Reply by Bike Bloke on February 12, 2012 at 7:54am

What's the 'turn signal song'?

Nick Butterfield said:

You're absolutely right, but i still like yelling things, or singing the turn signal song, whilst glaring. that righteous swelling of the chest and embittered chuckling really helps my cadence.


Shelley Scott said:

Cars have often yelled at me to ride my bike on the sidewalk. If possible I calmly tell them it is against the law in the city since I'm older than 12. I refuse to take on any of their road rage. Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat. That's the best way to deal with cardrivers' road rage--don't let the situation escalate.

I smile at the drivers next to me when I'm stopped at a light. I truly think this helps them be more considerate of me.

Permalink Reply by Bike Bloke on February 12, 2012 at 8:00am

Lot's of great advice here.

One piece I would add is to try to make eye contact with drivers. You feel a whole lot safer when you know that they know that you're there.

Permalink Reply by Larry Mysz on February 12, 2012 at 8:47am

Another useful service would be to have a volunteer accompany a new rider on their selected route for the first trip or two.  It's a lot easier to face the unknown with a friend. That service was offered a few years back as part of the ActiveTrans Footprints program.

You can also take advantage of material in existing resources rather than reinventing the curriculum from scratch. 

For example, here are some free booklets and links with really good commuting suggestions.

Safe Cycling in Chicago from CDOT/IDOT was developed with the help of some very experienced local cyclists, including Alex Wilson, founder of Westtown Bikes, and Dave Glowacz, author of Urban Biker's Tricks & Tips. 

Everyday Biking is a new 22 page booklet available from ActiveTrans. 

One of the best on line booklets is Bicycling Street Smarts by John Allen http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/

The League of Illinois Bicyclists has a safety education page(  http://www.bikelib.org/safety-education/adults/  )  Check the material covered in the 1 hour safety presentation available at  ( http://bikelib.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/BikeSafety_1hr.pdf  )

The Chicago area League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors have a web site with topics and links you may find useful in your program.  Especially, see the Resources and Links page ( http://chicagobicycle.org/id17.htm )  .  Feel free to use the Cyclist's Eye View: Driving Your Bicycle in Traffic,  Avoiding the Door Zone, and ABC Quick Check videos.

 

 

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