Biking to Work

So I have really been looking forward to this post for some time. As I snuggled up to my computer to start my research, I found out that National Bike to Work Day had already passed. For some reason, I thought it was this week, but it was actually last week. Bummer! But, then I found out that Ogden City will be hosting a bike to work day this Friday. If you are interested, meet at 7:30am at the A-1 parking lot just west of the social science building at Weber State University. The group will be riding through neighborhoods into downtown Ogden arriving at the Municipal Building at 2549 Washington Blvd. Ogden Bicycle Collective will provide a FREE pancake breakfast for all riders beginning at 7:30am. I think any day can be bike to work day! If you can't make this event, try organizing a bike to work day of your own.

From bicycle enthusiasm to penny-pinching, there are so many reasons to consider using human power to get to and from work. With gas prices potentially hitting $5/gallon this summer, anyone who is able should giving bicycle commuting a chance. You’ll save money, get fit and help the environment. If you live less than 10 miles from work, you should be able to get to work in a timely enough manner. If you live further than that, you might consider riding Front Runner, Trax or the bus to a stop closer to your work and riding or walking the rest of the way. You can bring your bike on any of these transportation modes. Just be sure to plan ahead and give yourself a little extra time. If you cannot ride to work or don’t work, try riding your bike on an errand to the library or a friend’s house.

If you have never ridden a bike on the road, there are some things you should know. Whether you are a cyclist or a motorist, it is important to realize that roads are meant to be shared. Bicyclists are subject to the same laws and rights as motorists. I know there has been a lot of negativity lately about cyclists not obeying traffic laws and SLC Government website recommends that if cyclists want the support of motorists, they must follow all traffic laws. Although I do agree that cyclists should obey traffic laws for safety reasons, I don’t think that bicyclists should have to prove themselves on the road. Most motorists break traffic laws regularly, whether on purpose or by accident. Just because a cyclist sees that the intersection is clear and doesn’t come to a complete stop does that mean they don’t deserve support? I don’t think so. Everyone deserves respect on the road. Car and bike accidents can be deadly and by being on the road we should respect other people’s lives by "supporting" each other. Bicyclists are supposed to ride ON THE ROAD with traffic. Although many people opt to ride on the sidewalk, it is technically illegal. Furthermore, cyclists should never ride on the road against traffic. Many people feel like this is safer, because you can see oncoming cars, but it is the most unsafe way to travel on a bike. It decreases both the cyclist's and motorist's stopping time if collision is a threat and makes turning left or right more dangerous because you are cutting off unsuspecting drivers. Ogden City is making an effort to make the city more biker friendly. They have painted bike lanes on many roads and installed bike lane signs.

Here is a somewhat condensed version of the State of Utah’s Bicyclist Laws-

If you are riding at a pace under the speed limit, you must ride as close to the right-hand side of the road as is safe. This doesn’t mean you have to ride in the gutter. You can avoid potholes, parked cars and other obstructions by giving yourself enough room on each side of you: Just avoid taking up an entire lane.
You may move out of this area if:

1. You are passing another cyclist.
2. You are making a left turn. This means that if you need to turn left, you will cross traffic safely (I will talk about this later) and wait in the left turning lane until you have the right of way.
3. You are traveling straight and blocking a right turn lane.
4. The lane is too narrow for both a bike and car to ride side by side.
5. You are dogding unsafe conditions (i.e. potholes, broken glass, animals.

Because bicycles are treated like automobiles on the road, a cyclist must:

1. Yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian.
2. Give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
3. Not ride bicycles on sidewalks and paths or across driveways and crosswalks.
4. Not ride negligently (this, I'm sure, includes riding while under the influence).
5. Stop at the request of a police officer.

In order to ride safely in traffic, cyclists must use hand signals to indicate turning and braking.

To indicate you are turning left you should extend your left hand and arm horizontally before and as your cross traffic.

To turn right you should extend your left hand and arm upward.

To indicate that your are slowing down or stopping, extend your left hand and arm downward.

If you are riding any time between one half an hour after sunset and one half an hour before sunrise, you must have:

1. A lamp that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front.
2. A red reflector visible for 500 feet from the rear.
3. A red taillight, either flashing or non-flashing, that is also visible at least 500 feet from the rear.

Other safety tips include wearing a helmet and riding in a straight line. I like to make eye contact with any driver coming towards me, especially when I am turning, to make sure that they see me and acknowledge that I am there. I also don’t recommend starting fights with people. As a cyclist, you WILL encounter berating, road rage and disrespect in general from motorists. Don’t reciprocate this anger, it doesn’t usually end well. I have lost my temper with drivers and was actually almost attacked by some guy who was just pissed off that I was on the road. Luckily, I had two other guys with me.

For motorists:
You may not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly drive within in 3 feet of a moving bicycle. Motorists should also watch for bicyclists, they are even less noticeable than motorcyclists. Make sure you give cyclists enough room and realize that there are many hazards on the road that they must avoid. Don’t honk your horn at cyclists (or shout at, ridicule, throw things at, threaten, etc. bicyclists either!) Make sure you don’t try to pass them if the lane is too narrow and there is on-coming traffic and never make a right turn in front of a biker.

You can find the complete list of Utah's bicycle laws here.
Also, check out Share the Road for more safety tips.

In conclusion, riding your bike, either for fun or to commute, is rewarding. So hop on your old ten-speed, your fixed gear or your high-end road bike--share the road and RIDE!

Do you commute to work on your bike? Share your tips, stories and experiences by leaving a comment.