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Commuting Tips
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Commuting Tips
Why do it?
- It's a gift to your neighborhood - it reduces car traffic
- It's a gift to the Earth - your not emitting CO2 as you go about daily tasks
- Burns calories – For a 150 lb person, cycling at less than 10 mph, 300 calories an hour.
- Saves $, over driving (and isn't it more fun to fill yourself than the gas tank?)
- May is a great month to be outdoors - not too hot, not too cold, with flower-scented air.
- Makes you healthier. For example, bicycling just 20 miles per week reduces women’s risk of heart disease by 50%, as well as reducing their risk of breast cancer, and weight gain
Getting Started
- Make sure your bike is road-worthy. Video here on checking your bike before a ride.
- New rider videos from League of American Bicyclists
- Find out how to fix a flat tire, the most common cycling problem: https://yhoo.it/2Gjg5uv
- Plan your route. Spokane Regional Transportation Council has a Sept 2022 map.
- Gear to pack. Here's a video with suggestions: Bike gear for commuting
Ride safely - on the road, with traffic, maintaining a consistent lane position. Advice here and here
- Trail courtesy: bike/pedestrian trails, from the Friends of the Centennial Trail. Especially pertinent is
- PLEASE audibly say “on your left” when passing other users.
- Have a long commute? Consider taking the bus for part of the trip: Bikes on Buses
- Protect your bike from theft.
- Use a Ubar lock, maybe an additional lock as well.
- Park off the street, if possible. Discuss this ahead of time with your employer.
- Register your bike with the Spokane Police Dept: https://myspokane311.force.com/citizen/request/MSBIKEREGT/details If your bike is stolen and recovered by the police, they can get it back to you.
More Information
The League of American Bicyclists has advice on cycling – Smart Cycling Tips covering bike fit, apparel, sharing a trail, bike maintenance, commuting tips – http://bikeleague.org/ridesmart.
Washington State Dept of Licensing has issued a new driver's manual, which includes tips for interacting with cyclists on the road. Among the topics: Dutch reach; bike boxes; how much room to give cyclists when passing. DOT's Active Transportation Division consulted on the manual. See:
https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/docs/driverguide-en.pdf