Bicycle Commuting
Bike Safety
A Healthy Living Presentation
by Alan Downs,
LCI #2173
Bicycle Commuting
Bike Safety
Materials Resources:
League of American Bicycles
www.bikeleague.org
National organization with a mission to promote bicycling for
fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy
and education for a bicycle-friendly America.
Bicycle Alliance of MN
www.bikemn.org
State organization whose mission is to provide leadership
and a unified voice for bicycle education, advocacy and
efforts to make Minnesota more bicycle friendly so that more
people will ride bicycles more often.
Bicycle Commuting
Bike Safety
Did you know?
There are 50,000 miles of paved access for biking nationally.
Goal is 7,000 miles for MN by 2011.
Minnesota is number 2, behind Portland, for number of
bicycling commuters – 3.8%
Minnesota (#7)and Wisconsin (#2)compete for the most
bicyclist friendly states.
TREK [Taiwan] gave to their employees a 200% bonus last
year due to the growth in the biking industry.
Bicycling Commuting
Bike Safety
Agenda
Theme
Substance
Considerations:
• C F B W T A
• Why?
• When?
• Maintenance
• Gear
&
A T A D o V
How?
How Often?
Nutrition/Hydration
Hygiene
Bicycle Commuting
To be Safest While Riding Remember this…
Cyclists Fare Best
When They Act and
Are Treated as
Drivers of Vehicles
Bicycling and Commuting
Why Commute? List of Great Reasons

Think Green
– 5 mile commute equivalent to 2000 lbs of CO2

Health
– Convenient Means to Exercise

Alertness
– Improved Productivity

Cost Savings
– $.51 per mile for car vs. $.01 for biking
Bicycling and Commuting
How? To be effective:
The Bicycle
a Bike that fits
a Bike that is maintained
– ABC QuickCheck
a Bike that is properly equipped
– Fenders, Racks
– Lights, Visibility
Enjoy the ride; consider a partner
Bicycling and Commuting
How? To be effective:
The Route - Options
Bike Paths – GreenBelt, SW LRT, GateWay, SOO Line, etc.
Streets:
–
–
–
–
Wide Shoulders/ Bike Lane
Traffic Volume; Share the Road
Ride as far right as practicable
Variety
Resources:
– Park, City, and County Maps
– www.mapmyride.com
– www.cyclopath.org !!!
– www.bikeverywhere.com
Enjoy the ride; consider a partner
C F B W T A & A T A
(print map)
D O V
Be Predictable
Bicycling and Commuting
How? To be Safe
Eight Rules of the Road
1. Bicyclists have the right to operate on all Minnesota
streets, roads, and highways, except where restricted
(i.e. freeways, sidewalks)
2. Bicyclists should ride on the road, and must ride in the
same direction as traffic.
3. Bicyclists must obey all traffic control signs and
signals.
4. Motorists and bicyclists must yield the right-or-way to
each other.
Bicycling and Commuting
How? To be Safe
Eight Rules of the Road
5. Bicyclists should signal their turns and ride in a
predictable manner.
6. Bicyclists must use a headlight and rear reflectors
when riding in the dark. [recommend a flashing tail light.]
7. Always wear a helmet.
Wear it properly.
How? To be Safe
8. Motorists must
maintain a 3 ft.
clearance when
passing a
bicyclist.
Yes, Safety has to
be mutual.
Bicycling and Commuting
How? To be effective:
The Gear
Racks, Panniers
Tool Bag, Tools
Clothing
– Helmet,
– Visibility – reflective,
– Biking Attire – layers, bad weather alternatives
Be Prepared
Exercise Pointers
 It is well documented that for every minute that you exercise, you add
one minute to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an
additional 5 months in a nursing home at 50,000 per month.
 I joined a health club last year, spent about 40,000 bucks. Haven't lost
a pound. Apparently you have to show up.
 I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out
what I'm doing.
Exercise Pointers
 I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy
me.
 I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.
 The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
 If you are going to try cross-country biking, start with a small country
Bicycling and Commuting
When and What works for you?
Exercise Program
We are all different and very busy
Early morning
After work, hmmm – Bike Clubs – www.biketcbc.org
Commuting
Alternatives
Park’n’Ride
Bike and Bus or Train
Other Trips
Visiting Friends
Shopping
Going to Worship…?
Bicycling and Commuting
Considerations
Maintenance
Gear
Nutrition/Hydration
Hygiene-
You can start out by busing in and biking home!
Get Enthused – Healthy Living
Bicycling and Commuting
Bike Education with the Bike Walk Ambassadors and Bicycle Alliance
of MN find out more at www.bikewalktwincities.org checkout the
events and activities calendar.
Bike Walk Week is May 6 through 10 and Bike Walk to Work Day is
May 14th Lots of great bikes and other prizes just for adding one
bike or Walk trip that week. Form a team or on your own, register
at www.bikewalkweek.org
Find a Bike Club or a riding partner
Forget the easy excuses
Questions:
?