The Practical Cyclist

Forward

2020-03-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

I like bikes a lot, for lots of reasons. I like riding bikes, but I also like reading, writing, and talking about bikes. I believe bicycles can make people's lives better - make the world a better place - and I like helping people use bicycles to make their lives better.

This website is an amalgamation of the advice and assistance that I have given to friends over the years. By placing it here, I've saved myself a lot of energy, and I've made it available to anyone who might find it useful.

Use the Table of Contents on the left to find what you're looking for. Or, if you don't find what you're looking for, let me know. Thanks for reading. --David

The Slow Bicycle Movement

2008-08-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

I thought I had invented this movement, or at least named it. In anycase, it's a movement, so no one can own it. We're not really into ownership, regardless. So, hurry up and join. Slowly.

The Facebook Group

The Blog:

I - Why Ride?

2008-08-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Here are several good reasons to ride a bicycle, in no particular order:

(the links are to the website of the League of American Bicyclists)

Here's one more, that's really just a combination of several of the above:

Social Justice

Maybe I'll write something about this later. Meanwhile, read this piece from The WashCycle that identifies nine solid reasons to ride a bike.

0. Gas Prices.
1. Cycling is fashionable.
2. We are Fat and UnHappy.
3. An Inconvenient Truth - Landmasses are sinking, the globe is warming, cars are often wasteful and create pollution.
4. It's convenient - For short trips, a bike simply can't be beat. Sometimes I've left places on my bike at the same time my wife left in a taxi - and gotten home before her. If a taxi can't beat you, the bus, train or even your own car - which has to be parked - won't.
5. Cities have invested in biking - hiring bicycle coordinators, making maps, laying out routes, painting bike lanes, building trails, including bikeways on bridges, putting racks on buses etc...
6. Shorting American Health Costs - Cities have some incentive to get us healthier, but the health insurance companies have an even bigger one. Like I said, Humana started a bike fleet program for their employees, and they're subsidizing the bike sharing program at the National Conventions. The bike station in Minneapolis is subsidized by a hospital. Kaiser-Permanente has given some money to the Met Branch Trail.
7. Fun, even after Daddy takes the T-bird away - When I find myself behind the wheel for some reason - and stuck in traffic - all I can think is "Man I wish I were on my bike."
8. Money - Yes, riding a bike does save you money on gas, but there's also the other money you save. Free parking, cheaper maintenance, no taxes and all the money you can save if you can get rid of a car.

Mission and Vision Statement

2008-03-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

The Practical Cyclist's Vision:

It should be easy to ride a bike for urban transportation.
A person riding a bike does not need, nor should they be made to feel that they need, expensive or cycling-specific clothing, bags, or other equipment.
A person riding a bike should not feel or be made to feel intimidated by other bicyclists, by bike shop staff, by automobile traffic, or by anyone else.
Riding a bike should be an unremarkable activity, it should be de rigueur, the standard , the routine.

The Practical Cyclist's Mission:

To reduce the barriers that keep people from riding bikes.
To provide a resource for people interested in using bicycles for utilitarian purposes, broadly defined, with a particular focus on providing accessible and practical information for folks with little experience.
To make it easier for people to ride bicycles for transportation.

II - How to Ride a Bicycle

2008-03-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

Think of your first bicycle, and how you learned to ride: the trepidation, the accomplishment, and the occasional skinned knee--later perhaps independence, joy, and the wind in your hair.

What about traffic laws, the "rules of the road", who has the right of way? Most of us learned these things from inside a car, and only in relation to other motor vehicles. Looking at our experience, it's no surprise that many of us have misconceptions about how to ride bicycles.

After hearing of a tragic collision between a car and a bicycle, a friend read up on bicycle safety. He reported back: "Almost everything I know about how to ride a bicycle is wrong."

He is not alone. That we know how to ride bikes does not mean that we know how to operate bicycles safely and effectively. A little education would go a long way, but most people never get that education.

Don't Wait -- Educate Yourself -- Start Now

Bicycling Street Smarts, by John S. Allen, is a good place to learn the fundamentals of safe, legal, and confident riding. The online edition is FREE and the print edition is $5.

Here are some best practices to start with, and links for further reading:

The League of American Bicyclists (The League), a non-profit membership organization, promotes bicycling and bicycle education throughout the US. The League has developed a nationally recognized curriculum called BikeED, and certifies bicycle educators to teach it effectively in a variety of settings. It addresses a variety of user groups with appropriate subject matter. You can find a class near you here.

BikeED's pedestrian and bicycle safety lessons could easily be incorporated as a required part of elementary schools' curricula. Don't we owe it to our children to teach them how to identify unsafe conditions, and how to be safe while walking or riding bikes in their neighborhoods and elsewhere? Many Americans have taken or will take driver's ed in high school. Don't you think that a new teenage driver who has already learned to look critically at traffic conditions as a bicyclist or pedestrian will be a safer driver than one who hasn't?

If you haven't done it already, consider getting some bicycle education as soon as possible. Even experienced bicyclists routinely find BikeED courses to be eye-openning (I certainly did). Again, to find a local class, hit The League's Online Database.

III - Practical Bikes

2008-03-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

The definition of PRACTICAL depends on what you're trying to do. But this isn't Philosophy 101 - this is real life. You've got to get to work, get home, eat, sleep, and some other stuff. For now, lets say:

A Practical Bike is any bike that helps you get things done without creating additional things for you to do.

Super. With that in mind, here are some common CHARACTERISTICS of Practical Bikes:

It's Comfortable,
It's Durable,
It's Safe,
It can Carry Things, and
It's Easy to Use.

Here is a blog with a running list of Practical Bike candidates:

Bikes For The Rest Of Us

For homework, review some of these bikes, and come up with a list of features that you would want on your ideal PRACTICAL BIKE, and why you want them. Now you can start shopping.

IV: Buying a Bike, part (a)

2008-03-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

If you have to buy a bike, where and from whom you buy it will be as important as which brand you choose. And if you don't know a lot about bikes, you should probably buy a NEW BIKE from a LOCAL BIKE SHOP (also known as an "LBS", or sometimes an Independent Bicycle Dealer). With that in mind, here are my recommendations:

A lot depends of your goals, needs, and desires - think about them realistically.
Find a local advocacy organization (here). Members get discounts at local stores.
Don't go bike shopping on a spring weekend expecting hand-and-foot service.
Never buy a bike from someone you don't like or don't trust.
Get a big fat lock. Err to the side of caution. The same goes for a helmet.
You don't need special clothing, shoes, etc. to ride a bike. Accessories like these can make riding easier or more enjoyable. Get them if you want them, but not if you don't.
Plan ahead: If you don't get a basket, you won't be inclined to use your bike to run errands; If you don't get a light, you won't want to ride at night.

PART (B): the reasons behind the recommendations, and all the important links.

Buying a Bike, part (b)

2008-03-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Why bother with an advocacy group or riding club?

A local group will be a good resource for all kinds of bike-related stuff near you. It's also likely to be a member-driven organization, and to work with local and regional authorities and communities to create good riding conditions. If this is something you care about, join the group. Membership also usually gets you discounts at area shops; if you're buying a bike, membership will pay for itself pretty quick. The League of American Bicyclists maintains a searchable list of local groups. If there's no local club, or even if there is, you can join The League. They do similar education and advocacy at the national and state levels, and you'll probably get the same discounts. If you're in the DC area, check out the local heroes at Washington Area Bicyclists' Association(WABA).

Why buy from a LOCAL BIKE SHOP (LBS)?

You can get less expensive bikes used, online, or at department stores, but there are good reasons to buy a bike from an LBS: a bike bought at a good LBS will be properly assembled and adjusted on-site by a professional mechanic, will be sized to fit you by a salesperson trained in bike fitting, and will come with a warranty and free maintenance service (usually worth at least $50 - $100). If you find any of these things are not true of a particular LBS, think twice about buying from that shop.
The National Bicycle Dealers' Association (NBDA) has a member directory, a bicycle Dealer Finder, and a nice chart explaining the advantages of buying a bike from an independent bike dealer rather than over the internet or from a department store. Remember however, it is an industry organization, so it's not an impartial advocate. That said, I agree with most of what they have to say, and I'm not in the bike business. The League's search tool can also locate bike shops, and its good to shop at stores that support the League, and other bicycle advocacy groups.

Don't buy stuff from people you don't like or don't trust.

It's helpful to have a good relationship with a shop. This is especially true if you're buying a complete bike, because you'll want to go back to the store for the free service that typically comes with a new bike.
Also, a good salesperson will help you understand your needs. Your circumstances, goals, and needs are unique, and much depends on them. There are lots bike shop people out there who love bikes and want to help you learn to use and enjoy them. There is a lot to know about bikes, and learning a bit will help you figure out what you want. You should never be made to feel stupid, uncool, or like you're being taken for a ride.

Weekends?

On weekends, especially beautiful spring and summer weekends, bike shops are CRAZY! The staff is often tired, stressed out, and overwhelmed. Sometimes they can't give customers the attention they deserve. It's usually not their fault, so please be compassionate. If you do go on the weekend, go as early as possible. Shops get progressively busier as the day goes on. On the flip side, a rainy weekend can provide a great shopping experience, as long as you don't mind getting a little wet, because shops are often empty on rainy days.

Overpriced? In general, no.

Very few people in the bike industry get rich from retail sales, and there is some truth in the saying, "You get what you pay for." In this case, the truth is that a $400 bike from a local bike shop is worth at least twice as much as a $200 bike from a department store. The former is likely to last more than twice as long, work significantly better, and save you money and headaches, than the later. I can't guarantee it, but it is my experience. I think $300.00 is about the lowest price you'll typically see on a bike at a LBS. With the lock, helmet, and sales tax, expect to spend maybe at least $450.
You can save money purchasing mail-order or online. Beware, however, that if something isn't right, it's much easier to deal with the local retailer for warranties, etc.
If buying a $100 lock seems silly to you, think about how pissed off you'll be if the bike is stolen and your renter's insurance deductible is $500.
Finally, the practicality of any particular accessory depends on how it's used. Remember that you don't need the biggest or best or fanciest--sometimes a product feature is a benefit, and sometimes it's just a feature. You don't need special cycling clothing, pedals, or shoes. Don't let anyone tell you different. If you want these things, get them.
One important note, often overlooked is that if you don't get a basket, you won't be inclined to use your bike to run errands. If you don't have lights on your bike, you won't be able to ride safely at night. Think ahead! If you wait until May 1 to get your bike tuned up, expect a line at the bike shop.

PART (C): Bike Shops in DC that I personally recommend.

Buying a Bike, part (c)

2008-03-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

For those of you in the Washington, DC area, WABA maintains a list of local stores. And of course, I have a few personal recommedations:

Arrow Bicycles has just opened in Hyattsville, but I know Chris and Chris, and they know their stuff.
Bikes at Vienna - Vienna, VA. Tim Fricker is the service manager, and that alone is enough for me to recommend the place. Tim is the nicest guy you'll ever meet, and an excellent mechanic.
Proteus Bicycles - College Park, MD. Proteus openned in 1972, building frames that are more valuable today than ever. The original owner died several years ago, but in 2003 Jill DiMauro took over. She's a bit of a nut, but she loves bikes, she likes people, and she is very good at fitting bikes for women. Also, the shop sponsors a "beer ride series" (giro de birra).
Silver Cycles - Montgomery Hills, near central Silver Spring. This is a good neighborhood bike shop. The woman who owns it, Linda Mack, is very nice and sensible. She's in the bike business because she loves bikes and likes people. She's an expert at fitting women, and has broad knowledge about "family-cycling."
Velo-Orange - Annapolis, MD. The bicycle-aesthetes around the world have been jumping up and down with increasing frequency as VO has expanded its offerings. It's not for everyone, but it sure is nice stuff, and good lookin'.

But really, you have to decide for yourself.

V - Carrying Stuff

2008-03-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

~~~ This page is incomplete, in case you didn't notice. ~~~

Folks have been figuring out ways to carry things on their bicycles virtually since the day the bicycle was invented. Furthermore, folks have figured out ways to carry things with bicycles likely well beyond your imagination. I'll try to find some good, mind-blowing images of absurdly-loaded bikes. Until then, just try to think outside the box.

Carrying stuff on the bike:

Bags: A Good Idea, Well Executed

Short of trying a ...

Baskets: Brilliant

I don't know exactly why baskets ever went out of style.

Racks: Front and Rear
According to the Bicycle Zodiac, 2007 was either "The Year of The Porteur" or "The Year of the Custom Rack," depending on who you talk to. In most US bicycle shops, however, the term "rack" typically refers to a rear carrier, aka "bike rack," "rear rack," or sometimes "rat trap."
Longtail Bicycles: homemade, Xtracycles, etc.
2008 was "The Year of The Longtail," but we should not overlook the fact that the origin of the contemporary longtail is in some of the United Nations' Least Developed Countries.

Integrated Front-Rack Designs: Filibus, "Short-John", et al.

If you have a Euro coin in your pocket, chances are that these bicycle are well known to you.

Large Front-Loading Bikes: Bakfiets and "Long-John" Bikes

Thank goodness.

Cargo Trikes

A good idea, often overlooked. Very stable and durable, but unwieldy.

Carrying stuff near the bike: Trailers, etc.

One Wheel

Bob-style, weird one-wheel style (gotta find that name).

Two Wheel

Kid-carriers, light-weight trailers, and heavy-duty trailers (Bikes at Work).

Four Wheel

???

VI: Family Cycling

2008-03-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have some knowledge and experience here, but why reinvent the wheel, so to speak, when others have written eloquently on the topic. Here are two good overviews of some of the best family-cycling, kid-carrying options:

Riding With Kids , by Marion Rice (published at Bikeportland.org)
Family Biking, by Ann Laufe (published in The Oregonian)

Photo: bikeportland.org

In those links disappear, here's what Ms Laufe had to say:

With all the fun and functional new biking systems on the market, becoming a parent doesn't mean you have to let your bicycle grow cobwebs.

There's a rig for every family, from the simple and relatively inexpensive baby seat to the snazzy Bakfiet, a Dutch cargo bike made for serious hauling.

Best choices for babies and toddlers are attachable seats, trailers or the cargo bike. At age 4 or 5, children may be ready to try a tag-along, family tandem or an Xtracycle. While there's no hard and fast rule for when to switch kids to a more independent riding system, Martina Fahrner, co-owner of CleverCycles in Southeast Portland, offers some advice.

"You really need to use your parent instinct," she says. "You know your child's development and what they're comfortable with."

Here are some options parents can consider:

Bakfiet Dutch cargo bike
What it does: Carries up to three young children plus a couple bags of groceries.
The good: These bikes are super-fun to ride, and kids love them. For some families, the cargo bike has even replaced a second car. Ethan Jewett traded in his old Honda and bought a Bakfiet to ride with his 1-year-old son, Jackson. Jewett says, "The seduction of having the car in the driveway was too great. Removing the car has removed the choice."
The bad: The cost is prohibitive for many families. And while it's great for short, flat-terrain trips, it's a bear to pedal up hills of any size.
Cost: About $3,000
Bottom line: You'll be the coolest mom or dad in the neighborhood if you buy one of these.

Xtracycle Free Radical
What it does: The Free Radical is a kit that extends the rear wheelbase of an adult's bike, allowing room for a seat deck on which two kids (up to 200 pounds) can ride. It also comes with large saddlebags that can hold four grocery sacks.
The good: Known locally as the PUB (Parent Utility Bike), these easy-to-handle bikes are especially popular with women. Juli Maus chose the Xtracycle fitted with a baby seat to get around with her two daughters because "it's not too heavy and it's pretty easy to handle."
The bad: If your child is old enough to ride on an Xtracycle, she may be old enough to pedal a tag-along or tandem -- and actually get some exercise.
Cost: The kit is $489 plus about $100 to install. Xtracycle also just came out with its own longtail bike, the Radish, for $1,999.
Bottom line: With an Xtracycle, you can drop the kids off at school and pick up a week's worth of groceries on the way home -- without setting foot in the minivan.

Kidz Tandem
What it does: The Kidz Tandem is designed for a child to ride in front and an adult in the back. (Traditional tandems put the shorter person in the back.)
The good: A tandem is perfect for kids who have a lot of energy, but who might not be ready for long rides on their own.
The bad: Tandems are so long, it's hard to transport them. Don't even think about mixed commuting (cycling part of the way and putting your bike on the bus or MAX).
Cost: The Kidz Tandem retails for $1,800. Eugene-based Bike Friday also makes the 8-Speed Family Tandem for $1,395; the 16-speed is $1,650.
Bottom line: Martina Fahrner, who collects bicycles like some people collect bottle caps, says that the Kidz Tandem is her current favorite for riding with her 6-year-old son. An added bonus: "You have a lot of control over the kids. When they're in the back they start to goof off."

Trail-a-bike or tag-along
What it does: The tag-along is a third wheel that attaches to the back of an adult's bike, usually to the seat post. Kids have their own pedals and handlebars, but are still connected to Mom or Dad.
The good: Wendy Lear, whose 6-year-old son has been riding a trail-a-bike for a year and a half, says, "He hated riding in the bike trailer, but he likes the freedom of the trail-a-bike. He likes it for all the same reasons adults like to ride."
The bad: Some adults report that riding a tag-along actually slowed their child's progress in learning how to ride a two-wheeler. And kids riding behind their parents may forget to pay attention or even fall asleep.
Cost: Several brands and models to choose from, including the Adams Trail-A-Bike, $160, and the Burley Kazoo tag-along, $225.
Bottom line: Easier to transport and less expensive than a family tandem, the tag-along is a good choice for kids who are ready to pedal on their own, but still need some adult guidance on the road.

Bike trailer
What it does: Trailers attach to the chain stay of the adult bike and allow you to carry one or two kids (up to 100 pounds) behind you.
The good: If you install an infant car seat to help secure her, even the very youngest child can ride in a bike trailer. Most also have room for a couple of bags of groceries as well.
The bad: Some kids can't stand riding in them because they feel too cooped up. Plus, says Liz Steszyn, who rides her son to school in an old Burley trailer, "It's scary being in traffic, but I can't ride on the sidewalk with it."
Cost: Ranges from $99.99 at Target to $725 for REI's top-of-the-line Chariot Carriers CX1 Stroller/Trailer Chassis.
Bottom line: Trailers are great for hauling kids short distances. Many can be converted into strollers, giving parents some flexibility when it comes to exercising.

Child seat
What it does: Allows babies as young as 9 months to go for rides with Mom and Dad.
The good: The latest models, based on seats that have been popular in Europe for years, put the child on the handlebars or on the top tube in front of the adult, rather than behind. This makes the bike easier to balance and lets you keep an eye on your child.
The bad: Catherine Johnson loves cycling with her 14-month-old son in a WeeRide seat mounted in front of her, but she says, "There's no way at all to stand up and pedal with the seat there. We're always in search of a way to go up Alameda Ridge without me dying."
Cost: The WeeRide Kangaroo is available on Amazon for $60. Bobike's models start at $139.
Bottom line: These seats provide a perfect way to involve young children in family cycling and make it easy for parents and children to communicate while on the bike.

Here's a permanent link to the article:

Funny Little Diagram for EVC Bike Survey

2001-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:00