Balancing Bicycle Culture

This post is long overdue... Pictures coming soon.

Bicycling is way more than just great exercise and fresh air.  Bicycling to get from point A to point B saves you a load of money, benefits the environment and your community in more ways than I can list and (bear with me) activates a necessary personal resistance and alternative to a car culture that has enslaved us into thinking we are reliant on fossil fuels and external energy to get us places (that is the most recalcitrant I'll get this entire post, so take a deep breath and please read on). ;-) 

I personally have reduced my car usage to about 40 miles a month.  Those miles are accrued only when I have to travel across the state. My bank account thanks me every day for this.

If you don't own a bike and funds are too low to afford your own, look into bike sharing programs in your city or start one of your own!  I am super lucky to live in a city that has an amazing bicycle program called Worcester Earn-a-Bike, in which volunteers can donate 10 hours of their time in exchange for an EARNED bicycle (and the time commitment is far less for children)!  During those ten hours volunteers learn about bicycle maintenance and repair to upkeep their time investment and gain marketable skills.

As you change attitudes and hopefully policy, bicycling becomes an exercise in empowerment.  I was talking to someone the other day who was shocked that I ride my bike practically everywhere.  "You mean you actually travel MILES on your bike!?!?", he said in astonishment.  By the end of our conversation, we had surpassed talking about investing in his own bike and had moved on to engaging his city councilors to re-envision  his hometown as a bicyclists' Mecca.   

Riding a bicycle gives you the freedom to reinvent your world and fathom your horizons.  I've discovered new locally owned businesses and inspiring urban farms on my rides.  Pride in my city has flourished and subsequently I've invested more energy and capital in my community.  And I've gained confidence, speed and strength!  While obeying stoplights and traffic laws, it takes me 5 minutes or less to ride my bike a mile and a half downtown.  I've often beat friends driving cars to the same location because of the added benefit of taking certain side roads and utilizing my right of way due to crossing signals.

I constantly meet people who are surprised to learn how accessible bicycling really is.  No, you don't need to sacrifice comfort or style.  There is a misconception that you need to leave the house in spandex and  sneakers to ride your bike.   Fear not!  Let me share with you, straight from the confessions of a self-proclaimed klutz (a.k.a. moi), that you can wear dresses, heels, sneakers, pants, flip-flops, whatever the hell you want on your bike… umm... unless you are getting paid to wear a Barney costume for a kid's birthday party.  But let’s face it, that tail would get in the way even if you are driving a car.  So just walk! 

Anyway...Go ahead and flaunt your self!  The other day I rode my bike in a scoop-neck summer dress and heels to have a charming dinner date on the water.  I entered and left the restaurant with none-the-wiser on my mode of transportation (besides the deck diners who saw me pull up). 

How about cargo? I recently bought fancy panniers, (with the money I saved on gas) that strap to the rail above my back wheel.  These carry my laptop, purse, groceries and books all at once.  Previously I just looped both arms through my purse and wore it as a back-pack.  I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this part but pre-panniers, if I went to the market, I would tie my grocery bags to the straps (making sure the weight was evenly distributed) and then ride my merry way home.  Next up: I have a friend who is going to donate a bike trailer.  The possibilities are endless!

I'll write an update sharing my upcoming winter riding experiences.  I’m sure I’ll have to get heavy duty tires like those for mountain biking to endure the arctic terrain (which I can earn from Earn-a-Bike).  There will be many things I won't anticipate, so any advice is welcome!

Here are a few tips on happy riding and bike safety:

1. Wear a helmet and make sure it fits correctly!  This may be of little solace to you, but if you are concerned about looking cool, I actually think bike helmets are bad ass.  ;-)  If you care about your life or your face I have two tidbits to share with you:
1. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, about 90% of people who have died in bicycle accidents were not wearing a helmet.
2. I had a friend who was BWI (Bicycling While Intoxicated ß NOT condoned!) and fell off her bike.  She only suffered a few scrapes along with a small scratch on her nose.  If it were not for her helmet it is likely that she would have needed facial reconstructive surgery.  The gap between her helmet and her beautiful face saved it from skidding on the sidewalk when she fell... wear a helmet!
2. Make sure you have front and rear reflectors.  For added safety, invest in a small headlight and red rear strobe light so others can see you at night.
3. Anticipate that if it is raining or icy out, you will need more time and distance to break.
4. Invest in some fenders to avoid any water or dirt from splashing on to your nice clothes
5. If you are wearing pants (especially nice ones) make sure to roll them up on the side of the bike chain.  If they are really baggy pants (like linens), roll both legs up.  If you are wearing a floaty skirt that blows up Marilyn Monroe-style in the wind, you can tuck it between your legs and sit on the edges to avoid giving the neighbors a free show.
6. Floor or stand-up bicycle pumps are the best if you are planning on riding your bike a lot (which I humbly encourage you to do), but those mini pumps that attach right onto your frame are pretty handy too.
7. I personally recommend a cable bike lock with either a combination code or key to unlock it.  They come in handy when you are riding with friends and want to lock multiple bikes and front wheels to a post.  Keep in mind, some are concerned that cable locks are easier to tamper with.
8. If you feel truly uncomfortable wearing anything besides sneakers while riding your bike then you can always carry your flip-flops or heels in a bag.
9. If you perspire profusely or are stinky when you sweat, but are still hyped and ready to ride your bike to work everyday, you can always keep some deodorant and baby wipes in your desk or tote a change of clothes.
10. In writing this blog post, I came across Livestrong.com, which is a pretty helpful resource for more about bike safety and product reviews.
11. Use your best judgment.  Obeying the law is not always the safest option in the steel and concrete jungle:

Be safe!  have fun!  You do not need to feel limited and you do not have to feel a slave to your car.  HAPPY RIDING!!!

~Shreena