The Herald Sun
September 9, 2004
Ruth Coppinger, a post-doctoral researcher in Duke University’s Pharmacology Department, rides her bike 8 miles from the Woodcroft area to work nearly everyday. When asked why she chooses to ride, she says “I like commuting by bike because I share a smile and a ‘Good morning!’ with other people on the trail and in the neighborhoods. It makes me happy and calm.”
She’s not the only one. As more bike lanes and greenways are built, the number of riders is only increasing. Several readers of this column have written in to say how much they enjoy using their bike to ride to work, to run errands, to visit friends, or to go shopping. Either by choice or out of necessity, practical cycling is a healthy, rewarding mode of transportation.
September is the perfect month to get out there and try it. The weather is cooling off, the summer rains will lessen, and there are three upcoming events designed to encourage you.
First, if you are an employee in Research Triangle Park, you’re eligible for the Smart Commute Challenge. Smart Commute is a non-profit organization promoting alternative modes of transportation. Julie Woosley, Smart Commute’s Director, says that all RTP employees are invited to try some alternative form of commuting between now and September 30th. Anyone who takes the bus, rides a bike, or carpools before then is eligible for a drawing with some great prizes. For more information or to register for the Smart Commute Challenge, call 549-8181 or visit www.smartcommute.org.
Second, on September 22nd, join people from 1400 U.S. cities and 37 countries around the world in celebrating International Car Free Day. To encourage folks to go car free or “car light,” Durham and Orange Counties are holding support events. In Orange County, head to Weaver Street Market in downtown Carrboro between 6PM and 8PM. Durham’s event will take place downtown, at the corner of Parrish and Mangum, between 7AM and 2PM. Again, those who register and participate are eligible for prizes. Visit www.gocarfree.com, or register to go car free at CenterFest, September 18th and 19th.
Third, Alison Carpenter, the City of Durham’s new Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Coordinator, is hosting a Basic Bike Commuting workshop on Monday, September 27th at 3:00PM. Carpenter says the course is designed to help you “learn how to get started bike commuting the right way.” Designed for novices as well as for those who want to refresh their skills, the course is free but there are a limited number of spaces. For more information or to register, call or email at 560-4366 or acarpenter@ci.durham.nc.us.
If these incentives are not enough, there’s more. Using bikes as a form of transportation (not just recreation), we make the best use of our time, getting exercise at the same time that we’re going somewhere. Parking is usually much easier to find and less expensive for bicyclists. Many retail stores give “bag credits” for bringing your own shopping bag. Wear an empty pack to the store, use it to carry your goods home, and save a little money. And there’s just a unique feeling of accomplishment knowing that you pedal yourself where you need to go.
So, think differently about getting around town. By bicycling, the journey to get there becomes as important as the destination.
Commuting Tips
1)Be comfortable with your bike. Practice riding your bike in safe areas before you ride in traffic. Your bike should fit you well (e.g. seat height, handlebar position), and you want to be very comfortable starting and braking before you share the lane with automobiles.
2)Be comfortable with your route. As long as they are safe, ride roads you already know. If you need to find a new route, plan your route with a map or just by riding casually on the weekend.
3)Wear brightly colored clothing. On a bike, you want to be seen. Reds, yellows, and oranges are great colors for cycling clothes. They make you more visible than deep greens, greys, and dark colors which tend to blend in with the surrounding environment. Many commuters also wear a bag to carry items to work or groceries home from the store. A brightly colored bag also helps.
4)Use your hearing. Your ears can be the eyes in the back of your head. Sounds are often the the first signals that a car is approaching from behind. Use your peripheral vision as well. Cyclists are able to hear and see what’s going on around them much better than the motorists.
5)Make eye contact with drivers. Most of the time, this is your best defense against a driver turning left in front of you. They see you, you see them, they see you seeing them.
6)Ride one to three feet away from curbs and don’t ride in gutters. Not only is there sharp trash just waiting to pop your tires in this portion of the lane, but slotted drainage grates are traps for wheels. Ride three feet away from parked cars, and assume that every car door may open at any moment.
7)Signal all your turns clearly. Review those hand signals, and practice riding a bike one handed so that you can signal comfortably. Remember, you’re sharing the road with automobiles; the best way to do that is to obey traffic laws so that you don’t distract the drivers.
8)Plan ahead. Watch the weather. Check the weather channel or your favorite weather-watching-website. If there’s a chance of rain, carry a rain jacket and pants. If you’re riding at night, state law requires that you have a red tail light mounted to either your bike, your pack, or your helmet. A bright headlight is also useful in darker corridors, between streetlights.