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Shift change: Event supports biking as means of commuting
11:50 PM CDT on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
With gas prices creeping toward $4 a gallon, residents are driving more fuel-efficient cars, carpooling and shortening their trips in the hopes of saving money at the pump.
Here’s another trick: Ride a bike.
Thousands of people across the country are expected to take part in National Bike to Work Day on Friday. The event encourages people to commute by bicycle rather than by car or truck, said Jen Ebel, a spokeswoman for the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
“Bike to Work Day is really about building support for the bicycle community and reinforcing the fact that all types of commuters, regardless of mode choice, should have access to safe and connective routes,” she said.
While commuting daily by bike might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the act can help reduce traffic and pollution and improve fitness, and it might not be as hard as it seems, Ebel said.
“The success of Bike to Work Day relies heavily on planning — planning a route, planning an organized event, planning incentives, planning to change your routine,” she said.
Here are some tips if you’ve decided to take the plunge.
* Always wear a helmet when cycling.
* Ride in comfortable loose-fitting clothing, preferably not work clothes.
* Bring a week’s worth of clothes in on Monday so there is less to bring every day.
* Baby wipes or a bar of soap and a towel can help clean you up after a ride.
* Gloves are optional, but they will help prevent hand numbness and blisters.
Here are some basic guidelines for traveling by bicycle:
* Cyclists must obey stop signs and red lights.
* Ride near the curb in the same direction as other traffic.
* Signal with your arm when you are turning. It will help make motorists aware of where you are going.
SOURCES: Texas Bicycle Coalition, Texas Transportation Code
Steve Scaggs, a Denton Bicycle Center mechanic, said more people are buying into the idea of commuting on two wheels versus four because of cost savings and the exercise involved.
“They can ride their bikes, get a little exercise and drive their cars a little less,” he said.
However, commuting by bike involves preparation for weather, the post-ride sweat and work attire, and most happens before a commuter ever puts a foot on a pedal, Scaggs said.
For first-timers, it can be a daunting task, but if residents break the event down, it is simple. The most important thing is to find a safe, reliable route, he said.
“Try to pick a route a couple days before you commute,” Scaggs said. “Pre-ride it and look for busy intersections. You want to find a route that will avoid busy roads.”
The rest, he said, residents will learn on the road.
DAN X. McGRAW can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is dmcgraw@dentonrc.com .
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