Bikes Apr 14, 2011 at 3:44 pm

How to Ride a Bicycle

Sarah Mirk
Back to article

Comments

1
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.
Graham on April 14, 2011 at 3:51 PM Report this
2
Sooo, err, what kind of wares do you peddle so quickly?
gabriel amadeus on April 14, 2011 at 4:15 PM Report this
3
So, errr, what kind of wares do you peddle so quickly?
gabriel amadeus on April 14, 2011 at 4:16 PM Report this
4
@gabreil amadeus: your mother.
Graham on April 14, 2011 at 4:28 PM Report this
5
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.
on April 14, 2011 at 4:28 PM Report this
6
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.
TSW on April 14, 2011 at 4:32 PM Report this
7
Also, check out http://www.bicyclesafe.com for the top ten ways to not get hit by cars.
on April 14, 2011 at 4:49 PM Report this
8
Ups to Graham.
Denis C. Theriault on April 14, 2011 at 4:59 PM Report this
9
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.
s.mirk on April 14, 2011 at 5:05 PM Report this
10
On my G2, I have the option for bike directions in the Google Map app.
theta444 on April 14, 2011 at 5:07 PM Report this
11
More proof Portlanders that would be technically considered 'adults' everywhere else are still figuring out what most knew at age 6.
D on April 14, 2011 at 5:42 PM Report this
12
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.
guspasho on April 14, 2011 at 5:48 PM Report this
13
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.
kiala on April 14, 2011 at 5:56 PM Report this
14
Also @sarah those bikes at Clever Cycles are so pretty! Just was I was looking for. Imma get one.
kiala on April 14, 2011 at 6:08 PM Report this
15
I don't know the mother of gabreil amadeus. My mom proudly gave birth to a Gabriel Amadeus.
gabriel amadeus on April 14, 2011 at 6:16 PM Report this
16
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."
Commenty Colin on April 14, 2011 at 6:48 PM Report this
17
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.
Joe Streckert on April 14, 2011 at 8:51 PM Report this
18
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!
Jessica Roberts on April 14, 2011 at 9:16 PM Report this
19
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.
Sisya on April 14, 2011 at 9:20 PM Report this
20
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!
on April 14, 2011 at 9:29 PM Report this
21
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.
El Stunto on April 14, 2011 at 9:46 PM Report this
22
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.
sexmachinealpha on April 15, 2011 at 12:10 AM Report this
23
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-r…
Paul Cone on April 15, 2011 at 8:19 AM Report this
24
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).
McAngryPants on April 15, 2011 at 8:35 AM Report this
25
Commenty Colin +1
($8239f8h248cerfehjf23@&*@ebdjhb23f237OCDBO#BD*(# on April 15, 2011 at 8:37 AM Report this
26
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.
ScrumYummy on April 15, 2011 at 8:48 AM Report this
27
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.
Ophelia on April 15, 2011 at 12:03 PM Report this
28
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!
s.mirk on April 15, 2011 at 1:09 PM Report this
29
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.
Sisya on April 15, 2011 at 6:34 PM Report this
30
Also, sexmachinealpha, you seem to be radiating some aggression and bad energy yourself. Geebus.
Sisya on April 15, 2011 at 6:38 PM Report this
31
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.)
tabarnhart on April 15, 2011 at 10:26 PM Report this
32
@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.
Carls on May 20, 2011 at 10:38 AM Report this
33
wow, an historic post from before the CAPS LOCK broke on Graham's 'puter!
randyzpdx on December 29, 2011 at 11:57 AM Report this

Please wait...

Comments are closed.

Commenting on this item is available only to members of the site. You can sign in here or create an account here.


Add a comment
Preview
Posted by (your name here)

By posting this comment, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use.

More In Bikes

Photo Essay: Biking in Circles at the Ladds 500

Editors' Picks

Hear in Portland: A Bittersweet Final Maarquii Show
Election Results: Julia Brim-Edwards Wins County Commissioner Race
Multnomah County to Sue Big Oil for Billions for Their Role In Deadly Heat Dome Event
THE TRASH REPORT: Spotify Thinks I'm Basic but Gay, Paris Isn't Just a DJ, and George Santos is Laughing All the Way to Unlimited OnlyFans
You Don’t Have to Be Drunk to Love Drunk Herstory
Your Sassy-Ass Local Trivia Quiz About Famous Flops, Creepy Bird Lovers, and the (Hurrah) Death of Capitalism!
Portland Mercury
is a proud member of the media network
Masthead Ad Info & Rates Jobs at Portland Mercury Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Use Takedown Policy
Support Portland Mercury
All contents © Index Newspapers LLC
PO Box 86208, Portland, OR 97286