Commuting Resources

WHY BIKE?

The average American spends 55 minutes a day behind the wheel of an automobile and over $7,500 a year on transportation costs. The retail price of a new bicycle, however, can be less than $300, with few yearly maintenance costs and far fewer costs to the environment. Bicycling is a healthy, fun way to start and end a work day and will allow you to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. With the rising costs of gasoline, increasing traffic congestion and worsening air quality, why not try bike commuting?

Benefits of Bicycling:

Stay in shape Save money Save the environment Reduce stress Use your time productively Enjoy the outdoors

GETTING STARTED...

The Bike

Many commuters choose a mountain bike or "hybrid". These bikes are versatile, strong enough to carry lots of goods, hardy enough to handle all the bumps in the road, and allow the bicyclist to ride in an upright position for increased comfort.

If you are buying a new bike, ask the shop for a fitting. If you are using a bike you've already got, adjust the seat so that your leg is only slightly bent when the pedal is in its bottom-most position. More extension provides you with better power and fewer knee problems.

Take some time to consider what equipment you might need for your bike commute.

Common Commuter Equipment

Helmet Mirror (on handelbars or helmet) Lights (front and rear) Reflective tape on frame and rims Rear rack Pannier bags (see picture) Fenders Chain Guard Kick stand

Commuter Gear

What you wear will depend largely on what makes you the most comfortable. Consider how long your commute is, what the weather is like, whether there are shower and/or locker facilities at work, and how formal your workplace setting is, then dress accordingly. Here are some tips on useful gear and equipment.

Common Commuter Clothing & Accessories

Helmet (always, all the time) Ankle Bracelet (for keeping your pants out of the chainring) Eyewear/sunglasses Waterproof windbreaker (yellow with some reflective trim) Rain Pants Messenger Bag Lock (U-lock, cable-lock, or chain) Spare tube or patch kit with tire levers Travel pump

COMMUTER TIPS

• Wear your helmet, always.
• Use your lights, dusk to dawn.
• Use a rear-view mirror.
• Ride defensively, and obey all traffic regulations.
• Wear bright and/or reflective clothing for higher visibility.
• Carry a plastic bag for a seat cover in case of rain.
• Avoid clothing that holds in moisture. Nylon and polyester wick moisture away from your body better than cotton. When shopping for rainwear, look for waterproof & breathable.

CHOOSING A ROUTE

The route you use to get to and from work in your car might not be the best route by bicycle. If you are just getting started, pick a couple of routes and try them on the weekend. Then, choose the best one for you based on ease, enjoyment and timing.

• Find a pleasant route you enjoy.

Even an expert cyclist would probably prefer a more scenic ride with less traffic. Consider using minor streets with lower traffic volumes. NC DOT has a bicycle suitability map of Durham roadways; click here to see it. Many bike commuters have posted their favorite bike routes.

• Are you comfortable biking in traffic?

  A rear-view mirror can help you ride in a straight line while being aware of traffic approaching from behind. If you'd like to avoid traffic altogether, you may want to find off-road trails and residential streets to use until you are ready for more. Click here for a map of Durham trails.

• Don't bike on sidewalks!

It is illegal in the City of Durham for adults over 12 to ride on sidewalks, not to mention unsafe. Bicycling on the sidewalk can cause increased conflict with pedestrians and puts the bicyclist in danger of increased motor vehicle conflicts, since motorists are not watching for bikes when exiting drive-ways and alleys.

• Bike racks and bike lockers in Durham.

  A detailed PDF of bike racks and bike lockers in Durham.
  An interactive map of bike racks in Durham.
  

• Remember to ride with, and never against, the flow of traffic.

  The North Carolina Coalition for Bicycle Driving has a photo gallery of bicycle driving demonstrations.

SAFETY

source:
North Carolina Department of Transportation,
Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Data

• Bicycle Laws in North Carolina
• How Not To Get Hit By Cars
• Ten Tips for Safe Riding
• Safe Bike Behavior
• How safe is riding a bike?

LOCAL COMMUTING RESOURCES

Durhambikeandped listserv: Join this locally-based Yahoo! group for discussion, camaraderie, and some virtual community building. To join, you'll need a Yahoo! ID, which is free to create. Simply register with the group, and choose to receive emails in real time, as people send 'em, in a daily digest, as one email with all the day's posts threaded together, or not at all (though with your Yahoo! ID, you can sign in at the durhambikeandped site and read all emails as archived posts.) If you have trouble joining, email the moderators, Alison Carpenter or Phillip Barron.

COMMUTING RESOURCES ON THE WEB

Tips for Commuters, hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, is a comprehensive website on bicycle commuting.

-- information for this page was compiled by Alison Carpenter, Durham's Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Planner, and Phillip Barron.

Thanks to Jeremy Raw and the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization for their assistance with this site.
Site designed by: Phillip Barron