Issues > May/June 2007 (#120) > Shifting Gears: 12 Tips on Moving From the Fast Lane to the Bike Lane

Shifting Gears: 12 Tips on Moving From the Fast Lane to the Bike Lane

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4) Don a decent helmet every time you ride, no matter how short the trip! Choose one made for cycling—Bell (www.bellbikehelmets.com) and Giro (www.giro.com) are both reliable brands—that fits snugly on your head without wiggling around. Adjust the straps to wrap securely under your chin, without choking you, of course. Replace any helmet that's taken a good pounding, as it may have been weakened in the crash.

5) Find the right fit. Adjust your bike's saddle, or seat, so that your knee is just slightly flexed when the pedal reaches the lowest point of its orbit. This saves your knees and maximizes efficiency.

6) Dress smart. Wear brightly colored, reflective clothing, especially if you'll be riding at dust or after dark. During cooler weather, cover up with light, breathable layers; Ibex's Echo T, made from breathable, lightweight merino wool ($69; www.rootedtonature.com, 866-766-8332) and Nau's Cleanline jackets, made from recycled polyester ($220; www.nau.com, 877-454-5628), both come in men's and women's fits.

On the road:

7) Your bike is a vehicle. As such, you must obey all local traffic laws and rules of the road. Ride with traffic, never against it—even on one-way roads. Heed stop signs, red lights and all other traffic signals, and always use hand signals to change lanes and turn. Hand signal definitions can be found at www.grand-island.com

8) Stick to bike lanes and bike paths whenever possible; there's no safer place to ride. If there aren't any designated lanes or paths in your city, contact the local Department of Transportation or Department of City Planning and find out if there's a bike master plan, which basically outlines a city's plans for future bike infrastructure. Transportation Alternative's Simons recommends an even more hands-on approach: "Invite your local elected officials out for a bike ride and show them what the local conditions are." You might inspire improvements.

9) Show some respect. Out-of-control cyclists give us all a bad name, so be sure to yield to pedestrians and stay off the sidewalk. Nearly everywhere in the country, pedestrians always have the right of way, regardless of street signs and signals, so stay alert.

10) Illuminate. Mount lights on the front and rear of your bike. Use them even at the first hint of dusk, as low light makes you and your bike much less visible through a windshield; battery-operated Beamer 3LED headlights ($24.99) and Blinky 3 LED tail lights ($14.99; www.planetbike.com, 866-256-8510). If you're willing to spend more, CatEye makes rechargeable LED lights from $130 (www.cateye.com/store).

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