If the sustainable living movement had to choose an icon, the bicycle would be a top contender. What could be more healthy and sustainable than a transportation device that doesn’t use fuel, requires little maintenance, can last for years with proper care, and promotes the health of the rider? If you’ve been thinking about hopping on a bike but need to know how to get started, you’re in the right place.
Bicycles come in many different varieties and are built according to the type of riding they’re expected to handle. Talk to a specialist about what kind of bicycle will fit your lifestyle and budget. They will need to know if you intend to take a few leisurely strolls on the weekends or if you want to start making serious rides across town. Buying “too much bike” is expensive and unnecessary for casual bikers; conversely, riding a street bike rigorously increases your chance of developing an injury and getting into an accident. Choose wisely – talk to a professional before you buy.
Check the Weather
If the forecast shows a chance of showers or temperatures in the high 90s, you may want to skip your ride and save it for another day. Wet streets increase the chances of an accident and rainfall makes you less visible to drivers. Extreme heat boosts your risk of injury and dehydration; if you must ride when the weather heats up, make sure to avoid full sun and bring a bottle of water along for the trip. Check out weather.com before you hit the pavement.
Stretch it Out!
If you are going for more than a neighborhood saunter, make sure to prep your body for a workout. Before your ride, perform a few minutes of fluid stretches involving movement such as hip and knee circles, arm crosses, windmills, and jumping jacks. This will prepare your muscles for work and will help prevent you from getting hurt. After you have finished riding, cool down with some isometric stretches that are held in position for 10-30 seconds each. Note: stretches like these should only be used when your muscles are already warm – never before your ride. Making warm ups and cool downs a routine before and after your biking adventures will keep you injury-free and feeling great. For examples of healthy stretches, visit Bike League’s website and click the On-Bike and Stretching Exercises tab.
Plan Ahead
Even if you’re familiar with the area, you’ll soon realize you can’t go the same places on a bike that you can in a car. Make a trip with a friend and wander around your neighborhood; you might be surprised to find out how many roadways and connecting streets you’d never thought to use before. Using websites like GPS Biker or Bycycle.org, you can plan a safe, effective route.
Safety First
Bicyclists should keep safety in mind at all times, especially when riding in areas highly populated with traffic and pedestrians. Keep up to date on Alabama law concerning bicycle riding by visiting www.dps.state.al.us/DriverLicense/manuals/DriverManual.pdf. Of course, riders of every age must always wear a helmet. For information on helmet standards and safety information, visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute’s website at BHSI.org.
Pedal to the Store
Baskets and other attachments will allow you to ride to grocery and convenience stores instead of hopping in your car to make a quick trip for a gallon of milk. When possible, ride to a store that borders your neighborhood in order to avoid traffic and major intersections. Accessories are available online and at stores like Cycle Escape – the added bonus of buying local is that most stores will provide installation and ensure your new attachment is put on correctly and safely.
A Bike Route Commute
Busy intersections and roadways can be a major deterrent from hopping on a bike and heading for the office; however, if you make a daily drive from Capital Heights, Old Cloverdale, or Cottage Hill to a workplace in the downtown area, you may be a perfect candidate for a bicycle commute. Consider your schedule, attire, and distance; if you live less than five miles from your office and you’re not afraid to leave the house a little earlier in the morning, consider riding your bike a few times a week. Start out by making the ride on a weekend when you have plenty of time to explore your options; keep in mind that traffic during the week will be quite different and that this practice ride is intended to acclimate you with the route. If you prepare yourself well, you’ll be biking to the office in no time!
No matter what kind of biking you want to do, make sure to keep safety at the top of your list and you’re sure to enjoy many years of healthy, sustainable living.
