With the price of gas creeping ever higher, a trend that despite episodic fluctuations or reprieves is certain to continue, getting out of a car and onto a bike has never made more sense. Unfortunately, in the United States, we tend to think of bicycling as a recreational activity – that is to say as something that one does as a child, on the weekend or in order to exercise. But the reality is that most of the trips we take each day, which tend to be close to home, using a bicycle is cheaper, more convenient, easier and likely far more enjoyable than driving a car.
Five or six years ago, I made the decision to try to use a bike for destinations within a 10-mile radius of my home. I still have a car but it generally sits in the driveway except for trips out of town with my family. Now, it’s true that the 10-mile radius is a guideline rather than a rule. I don’t take my bike to pick up friends arriving at LAX, and I’ll make exceptions in a variety of other circumstances ranging from accommodating others to transporting very large items. Or occasionally, it’s simple laziness. Nevertheless, I generally hold to this guideline and bike around the Los Angeles area, including my daily 10-mile roundtrip to work summer and winter, hot or cold, rain or shine, with or without my two kids in tow.
Bicycle commuting might seem daunting but it’s surprisingly easy. I’m not one of the people riding around in racing gear and I don’t have any particular skill or training.
Here are a few tips to get started.
- Get the right clothing. Walk to your closet and pick out what you are going to wear to work. Next, get dressed, get on a bike and ride to work. That’s right, one doesn’t need to go to a bicycle shop and throw down a bunch of money for clothes only to be worn on a bike. If it can be worn to work, chances are it can be worn on a bicycle commute. Check out Copenhagen Cycle Chic at copenhagencyclechic.com/.
- Get the right bike. As with clothing, one need not spend a great deal for something specialized. Now that I’m committed to a bicycle lifestyle, I’m riding a Big Dummy Xtracycle. But for the first two years of bike commuting, I was riding a bike I found on Craigslist for $50.
- Get the right gear. One doesn’t need to go overboard here but a few small investments will make commuting safer, easier or more convenient. In terms of safety, pick up a helmet and some front and rear lights. Minimal gear is a good way to protect clothing. I get by with a freebie ankle strap I picked up from bike-friendly New Belgium Brewery to keep my right pant leg clear of chain grease. Consider upgrading to a chain guard or possibly a skirt guard to protect clothing. For most Southern California commuting, which tends to be done in fair weather, that should do it.
- Get the right information. Get familiar with the laws about riding and choose a good route. Talk to other cyclists about different routes. The Culver City Bicycle Coalition is a great resource, and Culver City is blessed with solid bike infrastructure, including the Ballona Creek Bike Path and the Culver Bouelvard Bike Path, and that is likely to improve as the city implements its forward-thinking Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (ccwalkbike.org/documents/).
- Get the right attitude. Enjoy the ride. Unlike the isolation of car culture, riding a bike puts one in contact with the community. There are things to be seen that are missed when driving around: intriguing stores and businesses that may have gone unnoticed; little nooks and crannies in the community, each with its own unique flavor; and myriad little natural wonders – places where plants and animals surprisingly exist in the urban landscape. One can also see and talk to people rather than staring fixedly at a steering wheel while cursing traffic, get some healthy exercise, clear one’s head, make a much-needed contribution toward sustainability and put on a smile.
If commuting on a bike still seems daunting, consider easing into it. Start by picking just one day each week to leave the car at home and get out on a bike. Cycling is an easy and enjoyable way to get around town. And it is easy to find oneself reaching for the bike helmet rather than the car keys.
Consider joining the Culver City Bicycle Coalition Saturday, June 4, at the Culver City Artwalk. They will be hosting a bike valet at 6060 Washington Blvd. from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Park a bike for free, get a free goody bag (while supplies last), enjoy the Artwalk and avoid traffic and parking headaches.
Bike Safe, Bike Smart! is a weekly column to promote responsible cycling by providing information, education and advice about riding. It’s written by members of the Culver City Bicycle Coalition (CCBC), a local chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. Join them for their family bike ride the last Sunday of every month. For more information and to submit questions, write: ccbicyclecoalition@gmail.com and visit their blog:ccbike.org.
