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Bicycling can be a great alternative to driving alone to work or replacing car trips to the store or a friend’s house. It provides you flexibility and is a great way to incorporate some healthy exercise into your day. Though some people may bicycle as far as 20 miles, most people who use their bicycle for trips travel around 5 miles.

Once you have found a bicycle that will best suit your needs, there are other items you should consider purchasing to make your trips easier.

• A helmet: Using a helmet when you ride can reduce the severity of injury if you are in a collision and can save your life. Roughly 75 percent of cyclist deaths are due to people not wearing a helmet. Remember that a helmet will only protect as well as it fits. Click here for more information on how to properly fit your helmet.
• Headlights and Taillights: Headlights are required by law when traveling at night, and even though only a red reflector is required for a taillight, it is extremely beneficial to have a full working taillight, too.
  Lights available vary greatly based on quality, mounting design, amount of light they supply, and their running time. They are split into three groups: non-rechargeable headlights; rechargeable headlights, and generator powered headlights. A local bicycle shop is the best place for you to get the information you need to find the right lights for you.
• A lock: U-locks are the strongest and most theft-resistant locks you can purchase, but they can be heavy and inflexible. Options for using a U-lock are to leave it at your workplace or a constant location you park your bike, rather than carrying it around. You can then use a cable-lock for other quick trips or errands.
  Cable-locks can offer more flexibility and are lighter weight, but they are also less secure. Consider purchasing a cable-lock with a built-in lock rather than using a padlock. With built-in locks you can choose a style that has a combination lock or key lock.

• Storage bags: Room to carry items on your bicycle is important to keep in mind. Using a backpack or over-the-shoulder bag is an option that many people choose, but some find they can cause too much strain or extra sweat. Other options include panniers or a folding bag that attaches to a rack on the back of your bicycle. These can provide waterproof, sealed compartments for carrying all of your items.
• Clothing: Many people feel comfortable riding a bicycle in regular clothing. If you have a really long distance to ride or want to make sure you don’t sweat in your clothes, then consider purchasing specific clothing for bicycling. This can include gloves, shorts/pants, shoes, and shirts.
• Additional items: Consider purchasing fenders, mirrors, and specialized tires. These can make your ride so much better and also improve your safety.

When considering which route to take, try your hardest not to think like a driver. In some cases, the easiest, safest, and most direct way to get to your destination is the same route you would normally drive your car on. But a lot of times, there are other alternatives that are safer, have much less traffic, and can actually save you time.

• Always wear your helmet.
• Stay off of the Sidewalk: Even though you may think the sidewalk is the safest place for you to be, it is actually a lot more dangerous than riding properly on the road. Because there are so many more conflict points riding on the sidewalk (cars turning, intersections to cross, people walking, etc.), statistics show that the safest place for you to ride is on the road, moving with traffic.
• Keep your bicycle in good working condition: Inspect your brakes, tires, pedals, seats, and handlebars regularly to make sure that everything is in good shape and functioning properly.
• Obey traffic laws: For information on bicycle related laws see an overview of Washington State laws relating to bicycling here or laws pertaining to the City of Portland and the State of Oregon at their website.
• Be Visible: Ride out in the travel lane, out of the way of sight blocking items liked parked cars. Try to wear bright clothing and use headlights and taillights when riding at night.
• Be Predictable: Ride your bicycle in a steady line without weaving in and out. This allows oncoming and/or overtaking drivers to better anticipate your travel path.
• Communicate: Use the proper hand signals when turning and slowing down and make eye contact with drivers.

For more information on how to ride safely check out these links:

City of Vancouver | City of Portland | Washington State Department of Transportation

 

When a trip seems too long to ride with your bicycle all the way, or if there is a portion of your ride that may not provide a safe or comfortable route, you can combine your bicycle trip with the bus. All C-TRAN and TriMet buses are equipped with bicycle racks available on first come, first served basis. The racks can hold two bicycles at a time.

You can choose to ride your bicycle to a C-TRAN transit center and store it there. Bicycle lockers are available at five different locations around Clark County. A usage agreement is required for use of a bicycle locker. The agreement is renewable every six months and requires a refundable security deposit of $25 . For more information on bicycle locker locations and reserving a spot, call 695-0123 or e-mail ctran@c-tran.com.

On the TriMet system you can bring your bicycle with you onto the buses, MAX trains, and the Portland Streetcar. TriMet buses are outfitted with bicycle racks on the front of the buses and there are racks to hang your bicycle at designated spots on MAX and the Portland Streetcar.

Only conventional single seat, two-wheeled bikes, and recumbent and electric bikes the size of a standard bicycle are allowed. Bicycles with oversized wheels, tandems, and internal combustion engine-powered bicycles are not allowed.

Children under the age of 12 who wish to bring their bike on TriMet must be accompanied by an adult. Click here for more information.

You can ride your bicycle across the I-205 or I-5 bridges to access the MAX light rail system or other bus routes. The City of Portland provides a map of how to navigate the I-5 bridge route and the I-205 bridge.

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