A Practical Guide to City Cycling

Cycling around the city is intimidating to many. Maybe it’s because there are no safe dead ends, or maybe it’s just that cars zip past and turn you into a mess. City cycling sounds intimidating, but not as difficult or dangerous as it sounds.

I’ve been a cyclist for most of my life and have lived in a variety of cities over the past 15 years, from cyclist-friendly to “I’m going to run off-road.” Being in a city means a higher congestion of both people and cars, and it seems that at any moment everything can go wrong. My first few trips through the notoriously car-centric Los Angeles were a little intimidating, but once I learned the basics of driving behavior in the city, I found it more enjoyable and predictable than scary. It’s the same with any city. Once you feel comfortable, you forget about the dangers and just have fun.

Know the laws of your state

Should you wear a helmet in your state? Can you ride on sidewalks? Is it legally safe to overtake a car on the left side when cycling? As with cars, each state has its own set of laws for cyclists, so it’s worth brushing up on the basics.

To do this, the League of American Cyclists has a handy guide that outlines the laws of each state . It hasn’t been updated since 2012, but it’s a good place to start before heading outside.

However, there is one basic principle: obey the rules of the road in the same way as in a car . Don’t turn on your headlights, don’t chop off people, and make sure you’re in the correct lane when you turn. Many states also prohibit cycling on the sidewalk, so don’t go out on the sidewalk unless you have to (that’s just bad form too, because people walk there and there’s no room for a bike). Follow the right-hand side of the lane (cycle lane, if there is one) as the traffic moves. If you ever feel unsafe, in most states you can take an entire lane of traffic when needed.

Suppose every driver can’t see you (and other tips on how not to die)

Like everything else, cycling safety is about being aware of the world around you. Case in point: My general assumption when I am cycling is that the cars do not see me and do not change their path for me. Since most bike lanes are on the right side of the road, I assume that every car next to me or in front of me potentially turns right, and never go anywhere near their blind spot or so fast that I can’t stop right away. It’s the same with parked cars that open the doors to the bike path. If you see the silhouette of a head in a parked car, assume that the door can open at any time. Basically, just never assume anything about drivers when you are cycling. Do not think that they will stop for you, that they will see you or expect anything from you other than following the rules of the road.

Assuming you’re invisible is a good place to start, let’s take a look at some basic tips to keep yourself safe:

• Don’t wear headphones : just don’t . I leave the headphones available when I’m on bike lanes or car-free roads, but if you’re in traffic, don’t wear headphones.
• Turn on the lights on your bike : If you are riding at night, you will need lights for both the front and rear of your bike. This is especially useful during the winter months when the sunset tends to sneak up on you. I love the Knog flashlights because they are easy to put on and charge via USB. Make sure you remove these lights before locking your bike outside. They are an easy target for thieves.
• Ride a bike suitable for the city : Beach cruisers and mountain bikes can make you feel safer because they tend to be giant tanks that can punch through anything (which is fun in itself), but in fact they are not very good for city navigation. … Road bikes or commuter bikes are usually better. I prefer road bikes, but cheap commuter bikes like these featured in Bicycling Magazine are a great alternative for people who don’t want to lose a lot of money. These bikes are generally single-speed, which saves on maintenance costs and makes it easier for you to cycle again because you don’t have to worry about shifting gears. However, the lack of gears makes them a little awkward for any place with a lot of hills.
• Ride the Right Bike: Have you ever ridden through yourself because you decided to buy a pair of shoes half a size larger? This is what happens when you ride a bike that doesn’t fit, except that you are traveling at 30 miles per hour. When the bike doesn’t fit you, it is not only uncomfortable, but also cumbersome and difficult to ride, leading to accidents. This guide can help you figure out your measurements , but if you’re new to cycling it’s worth going to a professional fitting shop so you know both your frame size and your saddle height .
• Treat the bike path as a lane, not a safe zone : People tend to think that bike paths are some kind of magical barrier that you can ride safely over. This is not true. It’s just another lane on the road, and cars sometimes merge with it, cut you, and people open the doors from parked cars into the alley. Just because you are on the cycle path does not mean that you are behind some kind of protective barrier. This is the lane and the drivers will teach it.
• Train on the side streets: “It’s like riding a bike” is a false statement. If you haven’t bicycled for a long time, sitting down for the first time will feel strange. Try to practice in lanes without a lot of cars until you get the hang of it. If you are commuting to work, there is no shame in avoiding the big roads until you are ready.
• Use Google Maps: Google Maps has bike routes and they are fantastic. If you do not know how to get around, first plot your route on Google Maps. It guides you through cyclist-friendly streets and paths so you can avoid accidentally entering a four-lane road with no curbside space. Heck, you can even break the headphone-off rule and get step-by-step instructions if you need to (but seriously, don’t listen to music, podcasts, or whatever as well).
• Don’t be a jerk : drivers hate cyclists. The way it is. So don’t try to upset them. Follow the rules, remember that they are giant pieces of metal that can crush you in an instant, and always assume they want to get you. It is difficult to accept, but it will keep you safe. Otherwise, just sit back, kick off the horns and middle fingers, and enjoy.

If you bike a lot, it might sound like common sense, but I can still see people acting like idiots every day. Stay informed and you will be safe.

Always carry a basic repair kit with you (and know how to use it)

If you are going to ride further than you are ready to cycle home, you will need a repair kit. It’s usually just a bunch of tire repair fixes, but a good one includes more.

Sweethome has a fantastic guide to what you need in a repair kit. Each person’s kits and needs are slightly different, but here are the basics of what you want to own:

• Levers for removing the tire from the wheel rim.
• A patch kit , you guessed it, for sealing holes in a pipe. I also usually invest $ 10-20 cash in a patch kit in case of emergencies, or even to repair the tire itself as a last resort .
• Hand pump for pumping these tubes.
• Spare tube , I personally prefer to completely replace the tube when I am on the road, and then fix it from the comfort of my own home.
• Wrench or multi-tool , depending on your bike, you may need a wrench or multi-tool to remove the wheel.

That’s all. You can pack it all in a seat bag that fits under the saddle if you like, carry your tools in a backpack or shoulder bag, or attach it all to your bike with saddlebags. If you plan on leaving your bike locked in the street, I recommend not using a seat bag or basket as they will most likely steal. You should also know how to use these tools, so if you’ve never replaced a tube in a bicycle tire, do it once before heading out. It’s a simple process, but it’s much easier to learn how to do it the first time you’re sitting in your living room than on the side of the road. Remember this is a basic kit. If you go on longer trips, you will need more stuff for more complex roadside repairs, but that’s enough for city trips.

Support your bike

Before you hit the road, you should always quickly check the safety of your bike ten points to make sure you are not going outside due to a faulty set of brakes. This is really nothing more than an inspection of your bike to make sure the brakes are working, the shifters are working, and still working. If you are driving every day this is not necessary, but if you are only driving on weekends it is worth checking out. Always check your tire pressures before driving. If it is low (you will find the recommended PSI on the sidewall of the tire), pump it up before leaving the house.

Otherwise, regular maintenance onlymeansperiodic DIY adjustments . If something strange seems to you while riding, then the bike needs some work. This usually means only a tiny half-turn of the screw somewhere. If you’re looking to repair and customize yourself, YouTube has everything you need , but for those who prefer paper, Zinn & The Art of Bike Maintenance is a great book to keep close at hand.

Block the bike correctly

Bicycles are stolen all the time. It’s just one of those things that must happen. If you are going to commute to work, go to restaurants and mainly use your bike as a car, you really need to properly lock your bike.

The best type of bike lock is this kind of U-lock . Do not use combination locks or cable locks because they are easy to cut or break. Lock the U-lock across the frame and rear wheel (the most expensive of the two wheels) and use common sense where you lock it. If you get stuck using these nasty combs that are common on college campuses, make sure you lock the bike properly . Avoid attaching it to anything that looks easily removable (such as a pointer set in mud) or in areas with low traffic. The more people next to your bike, the better. Make sure you get rid of any accessories, such as saddlebags or flashlights, before leaving the bike.

As with any hobby, there are tons of other things to think about and learn from. But it all depends on what kind of bike you want to do. As you get into the habit of cycling around town, the prospect of long contemplative road trips in the mountains, grinding brown dust on a mountain bike, or muddy cross-country racing can become surprisingly appealing.

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