The bike and the kit
You do not need a fast bike. You need one that fits, with tires at least an inch and a quarter wide, fenders for wet streets and a rear rack so that the load rides on the bike and not on your back. A used hybrid from a reputable shop runs $200 to $500. Add a helmet, a white front light, a red rear light and a bell.
Riding in traffic
In every state a bicycle on the road has the rights and duties of a vehicle. Ride on the right, with traffic, and obey signals and stop signs. Most states require a front light and a rear reflector or light after dark, and your state's bicycle statute or driver's manual has the details.
- Ride three to four feet out from parked cars, which keeps you clear of a suddenly opened door.
- Take the middle of the lane when it is too narrow for a car to pass you safely within it.
- Signal turns by pointing your arm straight out to the side you are turning toward.
- Watch for the right hook, a car that passes you and then turns right across your path, and never pass a truck or bus on its right near an intersection.
- Watch for the left cross, an oncoming driver turning left who has misjudged your speed or has not seen you.
Picking the route
The best bike route is rarely the route you drive. Look for streets with bike lanes, quiet parallel residential streets and off-road paths. Ride it once on a weekend morning before you depend on it.
Locking and upkeep
Use a hardened U-lock through the frame, and ideally the rear wheel, to a rack that is bolted to the ground. A cable alone can be cut in seconds, and a bike locked only by its front wheel leaves you a front wheel. Photograph the bike and record the serial number stamped under the frame where the pedals attach. Before each ride, squeeze the tires and the brake levers. Pump the tires weekly to the pressure printed on the sidewall, and oil the chain every couple of weeks or after any wet ride, wiping off the excess.
Tip Carry a spare tube, two tire levers and a mini pump, and practice changing a tube once at home. A flat is a ten-minute delay for the prepared and a long walk for everyone else.
