Biking-An Alternative Mode of Transportation

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

02 Aug 2006 07:22 AM

Unless you are as financially sound as Bill Gates or Oprah then you have likely been trying to find ways to save money on gas. In our town, the price for a gallon of unleaded gas is currently $3.15. YIKES! YIKES... is also what I exclaimed yesterday when I saw my neighbor biking home from work in temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees.

Joe (my neighbor) has been trying to save money by biking to and from his office located about 4 miles from our neighborhood. He's been doing this since April and everyone in the neighborhood gives him credit for doing so. We acknowledge him with smiles and waves as we pass him (in our vehicles) on the street. Seeing him pedal away wearing his white shirt, gray slacks, black helmet, and backpack at 5:45 p.m. (when the temperature was still 95 degrees) made me think perhaps the heat had got to him. But upon further consideration I realized that he was just a man loyal to his commitment to use a cheaper mode of transportation.

There is no question Joe is saving a ton of money and getting an excellent work out at the same time. If you are inspired by his steadfast resolve to conserve on gas and want to join the ranks of workers who travel to work on two-wheels you may want to consider these tips first:

· Bikes are not toys; they are vehicles, just like cars and trucks.

· You are a "driver" when you ride in the street.

· Before getting on a bike make sure it is the right size for you.

· Check that the wheels aren't loose and the brakes work. Do this before EACH ride.

· Ride on the right side of the road, with the flow of traffic.

· Look back and yield to traffic coming from behind before turning left at intersections.

· Do not ride in the wrong direction on one-way streets.

· Learn and use proper hand signals.

· Ride single file.

· Give the right of way to pedestrians.

· Wear a helmet EVERY time you ride your bike. A helmet should fit comfortably and not move around on your head. Do NOT buy a helmet unless it is SNELL and/or ANSI approved.

Related Articles:

Bike Fitting -The Key To Finding The Perfect Bike

Cycling Outside - Like it? Love it? How to do it?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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