“Rules of the Road” for Smart Cycling

Ashley_Poster-570Here are five Rules of the Road from the League of American Bicyclists to prepare you for a safe and fun bike commute no matter where you are riding. // // // //

Get Your Bike Ready to Ride: Do the ABC Bike Check

chain crankAn easy way to make sure your bike is in good working order is to do an ABC Quick Check.

Air: Be sure you have enough air in your tires
Brakes: Look to see that your brake pads are not worn
Chain and Cranks: Pull on your cranks to see that they are not loose and look to see that the chain is not rusted and it is free of gunk
Quick Release: Make sure all quick releases are closed
Check: Take a slow brief ride to check that your bike is working properly

 

 

Video from the League of American Bicyclists. Stay safe!!

 

Join Our Team “I Bike Decatur” for the National Bike Challenge

ribbon-blueLet’s go Decatur- if you ride your bike at all, then join the team I Bike Decatur for the National Bike Challenge. You get points for riding so even if your ride is only a mile or so, it counts!

 

Click here and then search for our team and join. You can log your miles in a variety of ways: Moves, Map My Ride or Endomondo.

Check out the video here that takes you step by step through the registration process and gives you the options of the apps you can use.

Be sure to check our biking page (www.decaturga.com/biking) to find biking opportunities in Decatur.

 

 

 

 

 

Bicycle Safety Video: Riding on the Sidewalk

Riding on the sidewalk may seem like a good idea, but it is not the safest way to arrive.

Be careful oout there!

Join the National Bike Challenge and Be on Decatur’s Team

bike challenge

The new-and-improved National Bike Challenge platform is live — and the event kicks off THIS Wednesday, May 1! If you haven’t already registered, create a profile, join our team I Bike Decatur, and get riding! The fun and free program runs from May 1 to September 30, and the League of American Bicyclists is aiming to unite 50,000 riders to pedal 30 million miles. Start your National Bike Month off right, and join us in an attempt to make every mile count!

Let’s connect all the riders in Decatur!

Check our http://www.decaturga.com/biking for National Bike Month activities in Decatur.

Give Your Bicycle an ABC Quick Check

An easy way to make sure your bike is in good working order is to do an ABC Quick Check.

Air: Be sure you have enough air in your tires

Brakes: Look to see that your brake pads are not worn

Chain and Cranks: Pull on your cranks to see that they are not loose and look to see that the chain is not rusted and it is free of gunk

Quick Release: Make sure all quick releases are closed

Check: Take a slow brief ride to check that your bike is working properly

 

For more tips on riding safely visit League of American Bicyclists.

 

Bike Safely: Signaling

You should always let people know when you are turning, changing lanes, or stopping.

Communicating your intensions is not only makes your ride safer, but it is also required by law in the United States.

Left Turn: Fully extend your left arm out to the side

Right Turn: Fully extend your right arm out to the side or bend your left arm up at a right angle with your hand flat.

Slowing or Stopping: Extend your left arm out at a right angle with your hand open

Bike Safety: Intersection Positioning

From the League of American Bicyclists:

Since most crashes happen at intersections, be sure to reduce your risk by being visible, positioning yourself clearly on the road, and making eye contact with other drivers.

When you are coming up to a multi-lane intersection, you will want to be in the right-most lane that is traveling in the direction you are going. Where you are within the lane depends on the intersection.

Biking Safely: Intersection Positioning

Since most crashes happen at intersections, be sure to reduce your risk by being visible, positioning yourself clearly on the road, and making eye contact with other drivers.

When you are coming up to a multi-lane intersection, you will want to be in the right-most lane that is traveling in the direction you are going. Where you are within the lane depends on the intersection.

Changing Lanes on a Bicycle Safely

Changing lanes in traffic can be challenging. Here’s how you can change lanes with confidence:

  • Plan ahead, anticipate where you are going to need to be on the road
  • Look behind you, possibly several times
  • Signal where you are going
  • Act carefully, smoothly and deliberately