Friends. It is supposed to be 60 degrees and sunny this weekend. This incredible turn of meteorological events means that there will be many more people taking to the roads on their bikes from right about now until the rain starts in earnest again next fall.
More people riding bikes is great. But as people who have been driving or busing or walking all winter haul their rusty two-wheelers out of the garage, I think we could use a quick lesson in basic Portland biking etiquette. I find people are sometimes intimidated about riding a bike because they don’t know the rules of the road, and I also find that people are sometimes just dumbasses who ride dangerously (this guy, who ran a red light in front of me on Sandy last Friday because he was juggling while unicycling on his way to work, is exempted from that statement).
I asked a couple smart (attractive) long-time Portland bike riders to toss in some advice for people who are just getting back on a bike after a long hiatus. Here are our tips:
1. Don’t run red lights. In addition to greatly improving your chances of getting run over, running lights adds to a stereotype of “lawless cyclists” who self-righteously consider themselves “above the law.” Don’t add fuel to the flames of anti-bike arguments. Don’t run red lights (unless there’s no cars for blocks and it’s the middle of the night, then it’s maybe okay, but you should still feel sheepish about it). There are some lights in the city that don’t register bikes. If you know of any of those, report them here—the city is trying to get around to make all signals responsive to bikes.
2. “Always, always, always give the pedestrian the right of way,” says cyclist and advocate Elly Blue. “Always!” If someone is crossing the street or even looks like they intend to cross the street from a corner, you should stop and let them go. I’m bad at doing this, but it’s the polite thing to do.
3. Ride predictably. When you’re driving, it’s a terrible idea to swing across multiple lanes without signaling. The same goes for when you’re biking. Ride in a straight line and signal with your arms if you’re going to turn or change lanes. And be wary of drivers and cyclists who aren’t predictable. “Never expect the person bicycling in front of you to hold their line. Also, only pass other bikes on the left,” cautions Blue. “Understand that ‘daily car drivers’ may be surprised to see so many new bicyclists on the roads as the days get sunnier and warmer,” says champion cyclocross racer Molly Cameron. “While it is not our responsibility to make sure cars are not hitting us, I like to remember that drivers are people too.”
4. Pump up your tires and lube your chain. This basic bike maintenance will keep you rolling all summer. Here, you can follow these insanely detailed tips on chain lubing with this video as a soundtrack. If you’re a motivated type, definitely also take your bike to a bike shop at the beginning of the season and get a tune up.
5. Don’t be a dick to drivers. A good rule for anywhere, but especially on the road: Don’t yell at strangers. Though it’s scary when people cut you off or drive aggressively, really the best idea is to flash a peace sign rather than a one-finger salute. Getting physical with drivers can get you in trouble. “My tactic is to simmer commute tension with a smile and wave,” says Molly Cameron, who is more hardcore than you will ever be. “Heck, I give cars the right of way when we both come to a full stop at an intersection at the same time! Being generous goes a long way.”
6. Actually, don’t be a dick to anyone. Be courteous when you’re riding on busy routes like the Hawthorne Bridge, Springwater Trail, or Waterfront Park. This isn’t the Tour de France—ride slower and give pedestrians and other cyclists a heads up by ringing your bell or shouting “On your left!” if you’re going to pass them.
7. Have front and back lights! It’s pretty absurd that most bikes don’t come with lights—a bright white front light and a red back light is essential to riding safely in the city, since it’s hard for people to see you on the road at all if you’re not lit up. (Note: State law only requires a front light and red back reflector, but a light is an excellent idea.)
8. Buy a solid lock and always lock your bike. When I first moved here, I bought the cheapest cable lock in the store. Somehow, my bike managed to remain unstolen for the month it took me to shape up and shell out for a Kyrptonite U-Lock. Cable locks can be easily snipped with wire cutters, so a beefy U-lock is definitely worth the pricetag. Also, always lock your bike through the frame (not just the wheels), because thieves can often just unhook your wheels and walk away with your bike. Flickr has a whole photo group of how not to lock your bike.
OTHER ASSORTED ADVICE:
• If you want to learn how to fix your own bike, the Community Cycling Center has great wrenching classes. I took the women-only one last winter. It was a hoot. And also educational. Citybikes, North Portland Bike Works and Bike Farm all host “open wrench” nights where you can bring in your bike and fix it up with help from a trained mechanic.
• The city runs a bunch of bike rides in various neighborhoods, if you want to hit the streets with a group of people rather than alone. There’s also the Shift calendar where anyone can post fun rides.
• It took me about six months to get a good grip on the best bike routes around town and I still wind up lost in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Google Maps allows you to plan trips by bike and there’s also this nifty site for planning routes. Also, check out the city’s bike maps. (alert alert: Does anyone know of a good mobile bike route planner? I have yet to see a bike route map for phones, since for some reason Google Maps doesn’t offer a “bike” option on its mobile version.)
• People often ask me about where to buy a bike in Portland. I’d say: Poke your head into a bunch of bike shops and see which makes you feel the most comfortable and has the sort of bike you’re looking for. Some shops only sell new bikes, some are more focused on racing bikes or city bikes, some make you feel intimidated for asking questions. Choose somewhere you’ll want to go back to, because it’s great to have a good relationship with a mechanic when you need maintenance. But, for the record, I’ve always had great experiences buying commuter bikes or parts at the CCC and Citybikes; family bikes and the prettiest, girly-type city bikes are at Clever Cycles; annnnd 21st Avenue Bikes makes the best YouTube videos. So there.
Please add your own spring biking advice and insight to the comments.
Fucking spring time means dumb ass cyclists getting in my way. Either learn how to peddle faster or get out the way.
Also Clever Cycles specializes in Dutch city bikes, not “pretty girly-type bikes”. For “pretty girly-type bikes” I’d recommend Crank on SE 28th.
Sooo, err, what kind of wares do you peddle so quickly?
So, errr, what kind of wares do you peddle so quickly?
@gabreil amadeus: your mother.
Excellent round-up of all the bike advice that’s fit to print.
also, thanks for the Portland By Cycle Rides shout-out. They’re going to be kick-a-word fun.
I always have claps for the bike shop on Mississippi and Crank.
My hope is someday all Portland bikers will glance left for other bikers heading in their direction before they turn right.
Also, check out http://www.bicyclesafe.com for the top ten ways to not get hit by cars.
Ups to Graham.
But wait! I just loaded the newest version of Google Maps on my phone and it now does bike directions (albeit in beta). If anyone knows any other mobile bike directions apps, I’m still looking.
On my G2, I have the option for bike directions in the Google Map app.
More proof Portlanders that would be technically considered ‘adults’ everywhere else are still figuring out what most knew at age 6.
I have my doubts about bycycle.org, it says I should go against traffic on Couch instead of along Ankeny when I’m going eastbound.
What I would really love is a mobile site that tells you the flattest route between point A and point B. I often wonder where I should ride between Burnside and Hawthorne, for example.
GRAHAM. You know I am going to be riding a bike around this spring after YEARS of not riding a bike and so will be peddling slowly.
Do not be needlessly judgey please or I will not ride around SE with you making fun of stupid things.
Also @sarah those bikes at Clever Cycles are so pretty! Just was I was looking for. Imma get one.
I don’t know the mother of gabreil amadeus. My mom proudly gave birth to a Gabriel Amadeus.
I expected this thread to be full of buttholes, but I am pleasantly surprised. Nice post about bike etiquette.
I’m a big proponent: Every day, I consider making a sticker for my helmet that says something along the lines of “Don’t make us look like buttholes by breaking road rules. Also, wear a helmet like the one that I am wearing now.”
I’d add one: Never, ever, ride on the sidewalk. That’s for pedestrians. Bike lanes and sharrows are there for a reason, and riding on the sidewalk rightly freaks out people on foot.
I’d like to put in a pitch for buying used bikes from the fine gentlemen at Sellwood Cycle Repair. They usually have a really legit selection of both low/mid-end mountain bikes and mid/high end road bikes & frames. And in my experience they’re very honest about the bikes’ condition and whether the seller is asking a fair price or not, and they’re really nice to ladies and noobs (or at least current owner Erik Tonkin and retired owner Steve Landon fit that bill – I couldn’t say anything about current staff). The only problem is getting all the way down there if you don’t have a bike yet…but just imagine how much you’ll enjoy riding your new steed home on the springwater/willamette path!
I have a big dog that I take on walks in various parks and sometimes on streets with no sidewalks (Cully ‘hood). When bikes zip past us without giving us some space, it freaks my dog out. Buddy is a good dog who’s been trained to behave, but a startled animal will often try to chase any fast-moving thing that gets too close. At least yell or something BEFORE you zip past us, and please give us space. It would suck for everybody if Buddy knocked you off your bike.
Biking on the sidewalk is fine outside of downtown.
I was biking home a few weeks ago and a woman was walking in a crosswalk. I easily could have kept going and missed her by about 20 feet, but I stopped. She gave me an exaggerated look and said you did NOT have to do that!
OH YES I DID!
May I add that STOP signs are also important to observe.
I have a fear of a repeat of the bicyclist who flew through a stop sign and almost hot my car one day last fall. Had he hit me, my daughter would’ve been hurt.
Had I hit him, he’d be seriously injured or worse.
Maybe I’m naive, but when i ride my bike, this fear keeps me honest.
Sisya you are like someone whose dog “hates minorities.” Your dog is responding primarily to your fear and aggression; a verbal warning from the cyclist will help your dog only as much as it reduces your stress. You must take ownership of the energy you radiate.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-r…
How about one simple rule: Don’t be a douche bag.
If you’re driving a car, don’t drive like a douche bag.
If you’re walking, don’t walk like a douche bag.
If you’re biking, don’t bike like a douche bag.
If you’re commenting on Blogtown, don’t be a douche bag (that goes double for Graham).
Commenty Colin +1
About riding on sidewalks:
-the law allows you to ride on sidewalks, outside of downtown, so long as you are riding slowly (essentially, no faster than a jogger)
-when bicycles are on sidewalks or crosswalks, they are technically pedestrians
-please be courteous to foot traffic using the sidewalk or crosswalk.
I currently ride on the sidewalk due to a lost helmet. I have no intention of riding through Irvington (where the streets are narrow, and drivers can get aggressive if they can’t get around you) at the speed of traffic, so I assume the safest thing for everyone is that I ride slower on the sidewalk. I have no problem coming to a crawl, or even a complete stop, if there’s a pedestrian.
Tori Bortman, who runs maintenance classes at Gracie’s Wrench, just emailed me her 5 Top Spring Cleaning Tips. Enjoy:
1. Clean your Frame: Everyone looks better with bling and it’s great to get off that spring and winter grime.
2. Clean your rims: This helps you stop rain or shine and will make your wheels and brake pads last longer.
3. Oil your chain: Nothing runs like a well-oiled machine.
4. Air your tires: The fastest way to a smooth ride and the best way to get your bike in shape. If the bike has been sitting for a while and you see cracks in your rubber, it’s time to replace!
5. Get your bike in for work while the deals are on: Take advantage of early spring sales. A lot of shops have great deals to get the season started. Take advantage!
sexmachine, my dog doesn’t hate bicyclists, and neither do I. He reacts to being startled, as do plenty of humans. Normal cyclist, giving us a couple of feet of space, no problems. Cyclist who comes up behind us, zooms by super-fast about 10 inches from us, almost hitting Buddy or me startles him. If I see or hear somebody on their way towards us, I can give Buddy a signal with the leash and prevent a reaction.
Regardless of your assessment of me as a dog-owner, it is really fool-hardy for a fast-moving cyclist, runner, or skateboarder to get really close to a strange dog and potentially startle it.
Also, sexmachinealpha, you seem to be radiating some aggression and bad energy yourself. Geebus.
helmet optional? apparently so are brains. helmets are cheap; massive brain trauma is not. your hair does not look as cool as you think it does in your bicycle-generated breeze. your hat looks dopey. sans helmet is code for “cull me from the herd; i’m too stupid to be part of the gene pool”.
says the guy clipped by the car, thrown 20 feet thru the air, and alive today thanks to – a $45 helmet. (and the quality of my kids is proof i do belong in the gene pool.)
@31 – Seriously, I’m in full agreement (except the bit about your dumb-ass kids). I think most people would agree that there’s something really great about an attractive lady cruising past on a cool bike. But stupidity is just so deeply ugly, and I can hardly see past that mindless skull.
wow, an historic post from before the CAPS LOCK broke on Graham’s ‘puter!