There are more than enough stories of bad bike commuting experiences, and road rage (drivers and cyclists alike) probably too many compared to the good stories that are out there; from the SF Gate online…
Help! I'm afeard of bike commuting
When I moved to San Francisco from the Midwest, I was very excited to ride a bike year-round. So excited in fact, that I moved here without a car. I figured I'd become a bike commuter.
I remember sitting in my apartment planning my first ride. I got the bike map, planned my route, checked the weather, and then did nothing.
I did this for days, thinking and plotting and fretting, but never riding. My bike glared at me from her spot in the living room.
Why didn't I just go? After all, I was an experienced cyclist. What was my problem? Um, the hills, the cable car tracks, the one-way streets, the traffic. It all intimidated me.
Finally, I got myself out on the street, onto my bike and into the flow of traffic. And within a few blocks (really, just three), I felt safe. I was visible, confident and rode just like a car. I couldn't believe it. What had I been so afraid of?
For anyone who's ever thought they'd like to ride a bike to work (or to the store, yoga, gym, park, wherever) but was held back by fear, I hear you. It feels scary and challenging and sometimes, just not worth it.
I'm here to tell you that it is absolutely worth it.
Well, that is, if you value things like breathing fresh air, taking in your surroundings, going faster than a car, feeling wonderfully free, saving money on gas, having shapely legs and not having to find parking.
If you're afraid, even just a little bit, you can calm your fears with knowledge. Knowing a little goes a long way. Here are a handful of tips. In the coming months, I'll be writing more on these to help you get ready for Bike to Work Day May 12th.
Know Your Route
The best way to allay your fears is to know your route ahead of time. There are great online mapping tools to help you find a route that's bike friendly and flat. Try Google Maps, San Francisco Bike Route Planner, or SF Bike Mapper .
Do a Test Ride
If you're particularly hesitant, walk or even drive your bike route to get a good feel for where you'll be going. Pay special attention to road conditions, the nature of the intersections (2-way stop, 4-way stop, traffic light) and one-way streets that might not be apparent on your map. Ideally, do a test ride on a weekend when you're not time-constrained. And if you can get a buddy to go with you, all the better.
Learn to Ride Safely
There are so many ways to learn how to ride safely. You can find resources online or, better yet, take a free workshop at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. I took their free Urban Cycling Workshop and learned so much about how to ride safely. If you work with people who'd also like to learn how to ride safely, ask your employer to offer a 1-hour Ready to Roll workshop. You'll get in one hour all that you need to ride to and from work with confidence.
So, don't be afeard. It's much easier than you may think!
Posted By: Amy Harcourt (Email) | March 07 2011 at 06:00 AM
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