City Cycling - The Commuter
With transportation costs continuing to rise and we baby boomers getting older, health is becoming more important, the City Cycling commuter is on the rise. Here in Southern California, this is a year-round alternative to hustling a car through megalopolis west. With some improvement to the still anemic mass transit system here in Southern California, it is possible to incorporate your City Cycling commuting with trains and busses. We can assemble our commute with multiple options for the outgoing and incoming segments, riding longer or shorter and varying routes that best fit our health, mood, weather and schedule.
Riding the train alone often presents a problem of getting to and from the station. Metro Link has multiple bike coaches on every train easily spotted by a bicycle icon on the side of the coach. Buses offer bike storage for the City Cycling commuter as well, but are limited to two bikes at time. With City Cycling commuting on the rise, this seems appeasing at best. If we're lucky enough to have the train deposit us at our work's doorstep and we don't need our bike to get to our final destination we may be able to take advantage of rentable bike lockers located at the station. They're not cheap and there is usually a waiting list - but that could be just what the Doctor ordered!
Once we decide to take the plunge to benefit our health, mental and physical, while doing our part to jump on the "green" bandwagon, there are considerations for success. The foremost is equipment. The City Cycling commuter's perfect two-wheeled urban chariot is the hybrid we looked at for the casual City Cycling rider. It should however be properly equipped with:
Fenders - Rain or just puddles can leave a distinct ribbon of mud and water up the City Cycling commuters back if fenders are not present.
Chain Guard - This is "Old School" and optional but, it can save a pair pants if we're not changing or wardrobe at our final destination.
Rack - This can be fitted with or without panniers depending on how much needs to be ferried.
Lights - Some cities are ticketing City Cycling riders not properly fitted with an approved light attached to our urban chariot. A flashing red light needs to be affixed to the rear and a bright light sturdily mounted to the front, preferably removable to thwart thieves. With Cree LED technology maturing, pricing is very reasonable for theses lights and makes for a very bright low power consuming choice.
Reflectors - If we purchased a new bike make sure we have them installed. If we purchased used or already have one make sure all reflectors are in place.
Sounding Device - Bell, air horn, whatever we decide. If we are City Cycling in loud traffic, the sporting event air horn is a great choice. Cars, I believe, come equipped with bicycle filtering glasses for the drivers - because many drivers drive like we are not there.
Lock - I recommended one that attaches to the bike, because I have forgotten mine and that presents another problem. Pay a little extra and purchase one with a high security rating, even an expensive lock is less than our properly outfitted urban chariot.
Water Bottle & Holder - Makes sure we stay hydrated, even on short rides.
That takes care of the bike. Now how about the City Cycling Gladiator?
Helmet - A Gladiator never ever goes to battle without a properly donned helmet.
Gloves - We also need a good pair of cycling gloves, fingertip-less for warm weather and full finger for cold weather. The proper cycling glove is designed specifically for cycling and is well worth it.
Reflective Vest - Several manufacturers market a convertible reflective top garment. It serves as a windbreaker with removable sleeves converting into a vest. It also folds into itself with a waist strap for easy storage. They cost about $100. However, a simple safety vest, like those worn by road workers, is available just about anywhere.
Hydration Pack - An optional item with lots of water capacity, many having extra storage. When we are often City Cycling in traffic taking our hands off the bars to retrieve our water bottle can present an unsafe condition. A hydration pack allows us hydration from a readily available hose equipped with a bite valve, (once the hose is placed in our mouth you bite done and draw water.)
Mirror - I recommend the helmet mirror. Resembling a dental mirror in size, it clamps to the outside of our helmet.
Remember, commuting allows us to avoid the frustrations of negotiating traffic and affording us the time to complete our daily exercise routine, but we are typically commuting along with all the other commuters using all forms of transportation. We need to be vigilantly aware of what we are doing at all times. As we get accustomed to City Cycling commuting let us not become complacent in safety so we can do it again tomorrow.
Riding the train alone often presents a problem of getting to and from the station. Metro Link has multiple bike coaches on every train easily spotted by a bicycle icon on the side of the coach. Buses offer bike storage for the City Cycling commuter as well, but are limited to two bikes at time. With City Cycling commuting on the rise, this seems appeasing at best. If we're lucky enough to have the train deposit us at our work's doorstep and we don't need our bike to get to our final destination we may be able to take advantage of rentable bike lockers located at the station. They're not cheap and there is usually a waiting list - but that could be just what the Doctor ordered!
Once we decide to take the plunge to benefit our health, mental and physical, while doing our part to jump on the "green" bandwagon, there are considerations for success. The foremost is equipment. The City Cycling commuter's perfect two-wheeled urban chariot is the hybrid we looked at for the casual City Cycling rider. It should however be properly equipped with:
Fenders - Rain or just puddles can leave a distinct ribbon of mud and water up the City Cycling commuters back if fenders are not present.
Chain Guard - This is "Old School" and optional but, it can save a pair pants if we're not changing or wardrobe at our final destination.
Rack - This can be fitted with or without panniers depending on how much needs to be ferried.
Lights - Some cities are ticketing City Cycling riders not properly fitted with an approved light attached to our urban chariot. A flashing red light needs to be affixed to the rear and a bright light sturdily mounted to the front, preferably removable to thwart thieves. With Cree LED technology maturing, pricing is very reasonable for theses lights and makes for a very bright low power consuming choice.
Reflectors - If we purchased a new bike make sure we have them installed. If we purchased used or already have one make sure all reflectors are in place.
Sounding Device - Bell, air horn, whatever we decide. If we are City Cycling in loud traffic, the sporting event air horn is a great choice. Cars, I believe, come equipped with bicycle filtering glasses for the drivers - because many drivers drive like we are not there.
Lock - I recommended one that attaches to the bike, because I have forgotten mine and that presents another problem. Pay a little extra and purchase one with a high security rating, even an expensive lock is less than our properly outfitted urban chariot.
Water Bottle & Holder - Makes sure we stay hydrated, even on short rides.
That takes care of the bike. Now how about the City Cycling Gladiator?
Helmet - A Gladiator never ever goes to battle without a properly donned helmet.
Gloves - We also need a good pair of cycling gloves, fingertip-less for warm weather and full finger for cold weather. The proper cycling glove is designed specifically for cycling and is well worth it.
Reflective Vest - Several manufacturers market a convertible reflective top garment. It serves as a windbreaker with removable sleeves converting into a vest. It also folds into itself with a waist strap for easy storage. They cost about $100. However, a simple safety vest, like those worn by road workers, is available just about anywhere.
Hydration Pack - An optional item with lots of water capacity, many having extra storage. When we are often City Cycling in traffic taking our hands off the bars to retrieve our water bottle can present an unsafe condition. A hydration pack allows us hydration from a readily available hose equipped with a bite valve, (once the hose is placed in our mouth you bite done and draw water.)
Mirror - I recommend the helmet mirror. Resembling a dental mirror in size, it clamps to the outside of our helmet.
Remember, commuting allows us to avoid the frustrations of negotiating traffic and affording us the time to complete our daily exercise routine, but we are typically commuting along with all the other commuters using all forms of transportation. We need to be vigilantly aware of what we are doing at all times. As we get accustomed to City Cycling commuting let us not become complacent in safety so we can do it again tomorrow.
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