How to Survive a Bike Ride

If you are anything like me, rising gas prices have made you want to hop on a bike to run errands instead of always relying on a car. I have loved bike riding ever since I spent a summer in a little Italian town where that was the main mode of transport for most of the inhabitants.

When I returned to the US, I decided I would try to adopt a similar lifestyle only to find that American drivers, pedestrians, and infrastructure are much less forgiving to bike riders. Over the years I've learned how to have a safe and fun two-wheeled adventure.

1. Get the Gear, but Ditch the Bell. You should spend enough money on a quality ride if you plan to use it with any frequency. A less expensive bike can be unpleasant, or even painful to ride, and lessen the chance you'll use it - which would be a bigger waste of money.

My biking must-haves:

• A cushy seat and full suspension if you can afford it, city riding involves some jumps and bumbs going over sidewalks, or areas where there are none. Suspension will lessen the impact on your spine, and keep your butt from going completely numb.


• I suggest a hybrid (cross between road and mountain bikes), because the riding position is upright which I find more comfortable, and the wheels are heavy-duty enough to handle gravel, dirt, and grass. However, the frame is light-weight enough for longer rides.


• Get a helmet and wear it snug. Don't make me tell you the story about a girl, her bike, and how her brain ended up seeing daylight. Even at 10 mph, you can do serious damage and your noggin is your most prized possession. Also, there is not a single helmet that will make you look cool, so don't bother trying. Find one that fits your head and move on.


• I suggest a rear-mounting bike rack and bag to carry stuff. I learned that a handlebar basket can be extremely dangerous. For example, a heavy item like a watermelon can roll around and steer you off-course unintentionally. Watermelons in back!!


• Get a long, and heavy-duty bike lock system. I like my chains long enough to wrap around the frame, both wheels, and possibly a tree trunk as many places won't have a spot for your ride to hook up to. Stop signs or parking meters are easy to steal from, many thiefs can lift a poorly locked bike right over the top.


• The bell is meaningless, anyone who hears it just checks their cell phone, you might want something a lot louder, but I wouldn't know where to get that. Anyone have some ideas for making noise on your bike? Please let me know!

2. No One Likes You. People in cars are unaware at best, and at worst, assholes encased in tons of steel and glass with lethal force. Do not assume they will see you, and do not assume that if they see you they will have the desire or the reflexes to stop for you to pass. People in cars hate people on bikes. I know, I'm one of them. So when the tables are turned, I make sure my manners are impeccable. I don't ride at dusk, I use hand signals, I slow down at cross-streets and wave with excessive gratitude if someone lets me by, even though I may have the right of way. And to make pedestrians happy, I let them know if I'm approaching and don't cut across lawns. Check your state's laws for cyclist rights and responsibilities.

3. Watch Out for "Two-Wheel Willy." Even though bike riding is becoming more hip among the eco-conscious, you are going to meet a lot of people who are riding bikes out of necessesity, not choice. As in, they cannot afford a car or had theirs taken away from them by a court of law. So if they see you scooting along, with all that new gear you just bought, their idea of recycling might be taking your stuff for their use. Just keep your eyes open, take care not to linger too long in unfamiliar places, and don't leave anything attached to your bike unattended unless you wouldn't mind losing it.

4. Pretend You Are In a Foreign Country. You might drive the same routes every day, but don't expect the first time you ride them to be a charm. You will need to take things slow, find out where the renters who throw glass bottles on the sidewalk live, find out where the sidewalks end, or take note of dangerous blind spots you should avoid. Also, areas that seem completely benign in a car could be quite dangerous on a bike. Who the heck is hanging out in that alley, or how did that car jump out from behind that building so fast? Watch out for any driveway, like I said, people in cars are not looking for you, so you need to look for them.

Those are my tips for a happy and safe bike ride! With a few practice runs, you should know your routes like the back of your hand, save energy, money, and get some fresh air! Yay!