Biking just Died

Top Ten most dangerous bike intersections in Minneapolis according to Bradley Cambell.

Put on your Bike Light!

In the fall & winter 2007-08 Commissioner Sam Adams and the Portland Office of Transportation again teamed up with community partners to encourage cyclists to use lights and to remind motorists to watch for bikes.

I was thinking about all these recent fatal accidents involving bikes here in Minneapolis. I know many bikers are concerned that new riders are unprepared for biking in the city.

New bikers need to be prepared to deal with the expected and unexpected. Lights on your bike are a necessity for night riding in the city. Gloves, helmet and reflective tape add to your personal safety. A rain coats nice when it rains. I like to bike in regular board shorts or swim trunks. I do have rain pants but I sweat in them. Make sure your core is warm and you hydrate i.e. drink water!

New riders need to understand that we share the road too. Stay to the right but not in the gutter. If a car cuts you off, you swerve but stay on your bike. Hey! You are alright. This happens all the time. Keep riding. Try to be more noticed by cars. Stay away from big trucks -- if you can. Look for routes that are not as busy. Anticipate, look both ways. Wave your hands in the air. Wave them like you care.