Comments on: Commuting 101: Essential Tips For New Riders

By: Dee

Dee — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 21:28:15 +0000

I’m considering bike riding. Did many years ago, I want to thank you for the article and tips. I was unaware that you should not ride on the sidewalks! When traffic was heavy, living in Chicago, I would ride on the sidewalks. I felt it was safer, but your article states differently. Wow..there was an instance here in the Southwest, early morning, a bike rider was in the middle of the rode and a car came up behind and blared on his horn until the poor rider moved to the sidewalk. There are times when, it’s looking out for other cars and simply not seeing the biker and wondering why (especially in rush hour traffic)not ride on the sidewalk. My bag..didn’t know,again thank you

By: Samuel

Samuel — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 03:10:22 +0000

Hi. I’m a new biker in the midwest. I would like to get some tips for riding in the winter. Currently, I’m looking into buying a pair of Giro’s or Izumi’s lobster gloves. Would it be warm enough if I have wind proof wears? Or is it essential to wear the under armor type body tights (I would like to avoid tight clothing….) Thank you!

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 04:13:36 +0000

I’d take my bike up to my dorm room. This will protect it from the elements. If your college is anything like mine there is a lot of bike theft and when you lock your bike correctly to prevent this sometimes they will ruin your wheel out of frustration. That and when the university decides to do something about the abandoned bikes around campus while you are taking summer classes and cuts your bike off the bike rack. Dorm room is a much better option and you will get used to carrying it up the stairs.

By: Madison

Madison — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 03:57:34 +0000

Hello,

I’m 18 years old, about to go onto college, overweight, and just bought my first REAL bike. I got a 2012 Diamondback Outlook. I need some tips…

First off, I rode today and my legs feel like jello. And help on what I can do to slowly build muscle? Also, how long do you think it will take for me to be able to ride without feeling like I’m about to die.

Secondly, I’m going to try to conserve as much gasoline as possible when I go to college by riding my bike around. Any pointers on how to manage carrying around all of my books, laptop, etc?

Thirdly, I want to MAKE SURE that my new jewel doesn’t get stolen. I bought a ginormous lock; one that cannot be cut. Since my dorm room can be up to 40 stories high, I really don’t want to have to take my bike in with me.

Thanks!
Madison

By: Urban commuter

Urban commuter — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:33:45 +0000

I always wear my ipod. No different than many drivers that blast their radio. I’m so hyper vigilant in other ways that I’ve never run into problems. We also have great bike paths in Montreal, so it’s quite safe.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:40:22 +0000

I wear a ball cap under my helmet that has 3 lights. One like a headlight on the bill and two under the bill that light up in front of my front tire. Of course I have a front and rear bike light and a light on the back of my helmet, and reflective vest. I commute in East Los Angeles so I need all the help I can get. Larry

By: Tina

Tina — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:18:43 +0000

I live in and work in a suburb of Atlanta, and I have to ride on sidewalks for part of my commute (5.6 miles) because a lot of drivers are aggressive, there are a lot of polite drivers too but as someone told me it only takes one. I’m just extra careful when I am on the side walk, I don’t ride as fast, I slow down at the intersections and I can see all of the driveways clearly so that’s no problem. There is no way I would ride in the middle of the road here! For my portion on the road I stay to the right as far as possible, maybe a little too far! There are large trucks and hills so I’d rather be to the right then have someone barreling over a hill not seeing me.

I always make sure drivers see me (look them in the eye) before I proceed if I’m crossing a street from the sidewalk or bike/jogging path. It is always better to be safe in any circumstance then right.

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:51:02 +0000

Bells and horns are fine, I guess, but nothing beats calling out to anyone you’re approaching where you are and where you are going. Ringing a bell might cause someone to step in your path if they don’t know where you are. Just call out, “Passing on your right/left.”

By: MD Miller

MD Miller — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:03:41 +0000

Great article. I just got a bike for the first time since college and I lived on a much more bike-friendly side of our community back then! I need any tips I can get and these are some great ones.

By: Allie

Allie — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:13:03 +0000

I’ve had that happen to me many times as well! Very common and VERY frustrating. Definitely just means you need to be totally aware as the cyclist..