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 18th 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…
- Always wear a helmet (I mean…a lid).
- Always signal to surrounding drivers and cyclists. Look, signal, and look again.
- Ride with the flow of traffic, not against it.
- Don’t weave in and out of traffic. Be predictable for drivers on the road.
- Eliminate distractions. Avoid listening to music or talking on the phone while you ride.
- Obey all traffic laws and lights. They do apply to cyclists!
For the Drivers…
- Always obey the speed limit.
- Yield to turning cyclists.
- 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!
- Keep some distance between your car and passing cyclists. 3 feet is safe.
- Share the Road! Pedestrians and cyclists have a right to enjoy the road, too.
