The University News

Issue date: 9/12/05 Section: Forum

Media Credit: Jordan Kerfeld

My first year in college I made the amazing discovery that I could actually get to class quicker on my bike than in a car or on foot.  As a bonus I saved about half a tank of gas every week and managed to replace the "freshman bulge" with a pair of very strong legs. Each year millions of college students discover, like I did, that riding a bicycle is a quick, easy and fun way to get around.

Now I put in four or five thousand miles a year on my bike, much of it "utility bicycling" to the store or work. Here are a few of the things I've learned along the way:

* Find a nice "bicycleable" route. This probably won't be the same way you drive. Look for quieter side streets that parallel the main roads you drive on.

* Consider combining your bike trip with transit. Most of our local buses have bike racks now-and they're really easy to use.

* Avoid rush hour if you can. Roads that are horrible at 8 a.m. (for both driving and bicycling) are often just fine at 7 a.m. or 9 a.m.

* In a commuting bike, look for something sturdy with puncture-resistant tires, rack and fenders. Bike bags, known as "panniers," attach to the bike's rack are the best way to carry books, gear or a change of clothes.

* Carry essential tools - like a spare tube, patch kit, tire pump, necessary wrenches - and know how to use them.

Also be safe and ride safe. By Missouri law, bicyclists must follow all the same road rules motorists do:

* Ride with traffic, not against it.

* At stop signs, stop and look for traffic before proceeding.

* Communicate with drivers by using arm signals to indicate turns and stops.

* Check for traffic behind you before moving right or left within the lane, or to a different lane.

* Generally ride to the right of the roadway, but far enough (2-4 feet) from the edge of pavement that you have ample clearance around grates, rough road or debris.

* Avoid the door zone - the area near parked cars where car doors will open. Stay 3-4 feet to the left of parked cars.

* Be visible and predictable. You're safer riding a straight line on the road, where cars can see you and adjust, than ducking in and out of sidewalks and driveways.

* At night, use lights - front and back. Lights are important so that cars can see you, and they need to see you coming and going.

* Wear a helmet. It's only common sense.

And are sidewalks any safer? Those who bicycle a lot generally avoid sidewalks. Contrary to what many people believe, sidewalk riding is almost always more dangerous than road riding. If you do ride a sidewalk you must:

* Keep at a slow, pedestrian pace.

* Yield to all pedestrians.

* Stop and yield to road traffic at every cross street; beware of driveways.

Brent Hugh, D.M.A., is a two-time graduate of UMKC (M.M. 1995, D.M.A 2000) and executive director of the Missouri Bicycle Federation.

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