Bike to Work Day

Hey Ho, everyone! Bradi Bear here to update you on an important upcoming holiday. I  know I typically talk about cars, but today I’m all about the BIKES. May 18^th is National Bike to Work Day, established to encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle and try an alternative way to get to work.

We’ve probably all heard the saying “it’s just like riding a bike.” Well, WHAT IF YOU NEVER LEARNED to ride a bike in the first place? It’s not exactly the first thing you learn in doggy school. And it looks far more complicated than learning to roll over or catch a tennis ball! Working those pedals and handlebars are pretty intimidating. So, what do I do when I need help? Turn to the Internet, of course. I can be one resourceful pup when I set my mind to it.

I quickly learned one thing: biking, also known as cycling, has its own language!! Bonk, cadence, chamois, endo…I mean, I could go ON and ON about the interesting terminology that cyclists use.

If you’re feeling inspired to become the next “roadie” (you know, a committed road cyclist!) here’s a little Biker’s Cheat Sheet for you.

• Beater: Your everyday typical bike (great for that work commute…not race).
• Cassette: NOT that old thing people used to listen to music on…this is a set of gears on the rear wheel.
• Century: 100-mile ride or race (yes, 100 miles on a single ride!).
• Fixie: A bike with no brakes…sounds like a trip to the emergency room to me!
• Fork: This part of the bike holds the front wheel; not to be confused with the utensil you use to eat tasty desserts.
• Lid: Don’t be caught dead calling it a helmet…it’s a LID, people.

You know I can’t write a blog post without offering some safety tips. Today you get a two-for-one special: tips for cyclists staying safe ON the road, and tips for vehicle drivers to AVOID harming those bikers!

For the Cyclists…

1. Always wear a helmet (I mean…a lid).
2. Always signal to surrounding drivers and cyclists. Look, signal, and look again.
3. Ride with the flow of traffic, not against it.
4. Don’t weave in and out of traffic. Be predictable for drivers on the road.
5. Eliminate distractions. Avoid listening to music or talking on the phone while you ride.
6. Obey all traffic laws and lights. They do apply to cyclists!

For the Drivers…

1. Always obey the speed limit.
2. Yield to turning cyclists.
3. This one might seem simple, but LOOK before you open your car doors. We don’t need another viral video of an unsuspecting biker bouncing off of your door!
4. Keep some distance between your car and passing cyclists. 3 feet is safe.
5. Share the Road! Pedestrians and cyclists have a right to enjoy the road, too.