Posts Tagged ‘winter biking’

The transit walk and the bike lift

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

The following is a post written by Hilary Reeves, communications director, Transit for Livable Communities, that originally ran in the Downtown Journal.

Further study reconfirmed recently what makes sense intuitively:  moving your body as part of your commute or running errands is healthy. The “transit walk” is the focus of a new study in the March, 2013, Journal of Public Health, which found that people who live in cities with public transit systems that include rail tend to walk 30 minutes more than those without a rail system.

“Transit walkers in large urban areas with a rail system were 72% more likely to transit walk 30 minutes or more per day than were those without a rail system.” Nationally, the number of “transit walkers” (I am loving that term) rose by 28% between 2001 and 2009, while the number of people getting at least 30 minutes of “transit-associated walking time” rose 31%. Transit walking, the study concludes, “contributes to meeting physical activity recommendations.”

There you have it! Feeling in need of some exercise? Getting the signals that some activity would be good for you? Hit the rails, ride the bus! Happily our regional transit system qualifies (barely). We have one light rail line, with another almost open, and others in planning stages, not to mention connecting bus service. (Places like Denver, Salt Lake, Dallas, and Seattle have some really healthy people, judging by their rail lines.) 

But what about upper body workouts? If the train or bus is the new gym, how’s a person to buff the biceps, trim the triceps? I recommend the bike lift, though I don’t have any studies to back me up.  

I get at least two daily reps of the bike lift on my way to work. During winter, I often also get a round of evening reps, putting my bike on the bus to reach the bicycle paths along the Mississippi River (thereby giving myself a break from cold weather and sometimes snowy streets). I’m not sure how much my bike weighs, but let’s just say the beater bike I purchased for winter commuting is not carbon-intensive in more ways than one.

So, what are the basic steps to the bike lift? Here’s a brief guide to putting your bike on the bus—for those days when you are not getting in your transit walk.

Step 1:  waiting for the bus. Ride your bicycle to the bus stop, arriving a few minutes before it is scheduled to arrive. Tip: if your route tends to have a lot of bicycle commuters, try riding to an earlier stop on the route to see if you can beat the competition. If that fails, you can ask the bus driver if you can bring your bicycle on the bus, but it is totally up to the driver. Sometimes the driver will instruct you to get on and off via the back door. Sometimes the answer will be no, in which case, you have to wait for the next bus or lock your bicycle at the stop and return to it later via bus.

Step 2:  position your bike for the lift. When the bus arrives, roll your bicycle in front of the bus so it’s parallel to the front of the bus. Stand back about three feet. If the rack is closed, position your bike so that your front wheel faces left as you face the bus. To release the bike rack, reach up and squeeze the bar in the top center of the rack. It will open towards you. If the rack is open with a bicycle on it, position your front wheel facing to the right. This left/closed, right/open positioning is important for the lift to come.

Step 3: lift and place the bike.  Facing the bike, I grab the front stem and the seat post to lift it up, then place the wheels in the tracks or slots on the rack. That’s the lift! It gets easier over time. And, it’s always good to use the power in your legs to assist with the lift.

Step 4:  secure your bicycle. There is a metal arm by the front wheel that pulls out horizontally (if it’s stiff, yank it) and then raises up to clamp over the top of the wheel near the brakes. Once this is in place, check to make sure any packs or other gear on your bike is secure as well and board the bus.

Step 5:  don’t forget your bike. When your stop comes, get off via the front door and let the driver know that you will be taking your bike off the rack. (You wouldn’t believe how many people get off by the back door and watch their bicycle depart with the bus.)

Step 6:  The down lift. If two bicycles are on the rack and yours is behind, lower the metal arm and roll the bike toward you as you stand near the curb (the arms are positioned to keep you out of traffic when you unload the bike). If yours is the only bike on the rack, take it off and return the rack to the closed position by squeezing the bar in the front center of the rack and lifting it up. It sometimes takes a push to get it to click into the locked position. Take your bicycle onto the curb to wait till it’s safe to enter the street or bicycle path for your ride.

Note:  The Commuter Connection in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul Smart-Trips in downtown St. Paul have practice bike-bus racks. After doing this once or twice, it’s much easier than it sounds! 

 

Tags: bicycle commuting, bicycling, bike commuting tips, bus and bike, Metro Transit, winter biking
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Bicycling an increasingly year-round activity in Minneapolis

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

The following is a post written by Hilary Reeves, communications director, Bike Walk Twin Cities, that originally ran in the Southwest Journal.

Practical, affordable and surprisingly rewarding, winter bicycling has become increasingly popular in Minneapolis, recently named one of the top five cities in the nation for winter bicycle commuting by MetaEfficient. That’s amazing when you consider that Minneapolis is colder, on average, than Montreal or Moscow during the winter.

More than one-third (36 percent) of summer bicyclists still ride on clear, winter days in our area, and 20 percent ride even in cold and snow, according to survey data from Bike Walk Twin Cities. And local bike shops report increasingly brisk business during the winter. That’s far different than a few years ago, when many bike shops relied on selling skates, skis and other winter gear to stay open during the colder months.

The fact is, while bicycling is a sport for some, it’s also a means of transportation for many, such as Kirk Johnson of Edina (pictured above), who regularly commutes to his job in downtown Minneapolis by bike – even during the winter. Eight years ago, Johnson sold his car to create a fixed-gear bike and has not regretted the change in his transportation habits.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes,” Johnson says, as he explains his zest for year-round bicycling. Plus, there are added bonuses, he says, such as the sublime aural thrill of bike-riding on snow.

“There is nothing like rolling on fresh snow,” Johnson says. “Super-cold weather makes fresh snow sound squeaky. Mildly cold weather makes it sound pleasantly fluffy.”

Bike Riding During Winter 

If you’ve never tried winter bicycling before, it might initially seem daunting, but the more you know about it, the easier it becomes. And keep in mind that until (and if—remember last year) we have persistent ice and snow, riding in winter can be much like any other time of year except that it’s darker and colder. Minneapolis’s network of bike routes—which nearly doubled in recent years to 81 miles of on-street bikeways and 85 miles of off-street bikeways—will serve you well.

Perhaps surprisingly, winter bicyclists are less concerned with getting cold than dressing too warmly. While it’s important to wear appropriate clothing when bicycling, such as thick socks and high-quality gloves, it’s also important to dress in layers to prevent overheating. Wickable undergarments help keep sweat away from your skin, while outer garments with zippers can be easily opened to provide natural air conditioning. Stay away from cotton!

Besides a quality coat and gloves, Johnson’s typical winter-bike attire includes jeans and long johns, a balaclava, ski goggles and helmet cover, and special winter bicycling shoes, which are insulated and waterproof. On especially cold days, he’ll don an extra balaclava.

When the snow falls and ice accumulates, more route planning is required. Side streets, which are great for riding the rest of the year, are often too slushy for good traction. While efforts are made to keep bike lanes clear, over time the build-up of snow at the edges of roads can push parked cars into the bike lane. When this happens, the best routes for cyclists often are roads with two lanes in each direction—and a willingness on the part of the cyclist to take the lane in order to be visible and safe. This is what state law says: to ride to the right unless safety and obstructions require the cyclist to take the lane.

Snowy weather might also lead to some equipment changes—a different bike and studded tires. Considering that in a real Minnesota winter, you’ll be bicycling through snow, slush, sand and salt, you won’t want to regularly bike in the winter on a top-end machine. Many winter bicyclists, including Johnson, prefer riding a single-speed or fixed-gear bike, for their simplicity.

Bikes with internal geared hubs are a relatively new and increasingly popular alternative. Available from multiple manufacturers, these bikes offer multiple gears, but all of the moving and shifting parts are contained with the bike hub, protecting them from the elements. Local bike shops also have options—including used “beater” or “winter” bikes that you can buy cheaply and use for the season.

Other tips for winter bicycling success: 

Get good lights – One of the greatest potential hazards in winter bicycling is being improperly lit. Invest in bright front and back lights for your bike, and consider also adding side lights and wearing reflective clothing and/or arm or leg bands. The more you can be seen in low-light and no-light conditions, the better!

Ride slowly, as needed – Just as you reduce speed when driving a car through snow and ice, so also with winter bicycling.

Lower your seat and tire pressure – If you need to stop quickly, you’ll want to be able to quickly plant your feet on the ground. A lower tire pressure provides greater grip, and helps smooth a bumpy ride.

Give motorists extra attention – Despite the increasing popularity of winter bicycling, many motorists are still unaccustomed to seeing bicyclists riding in cold weather. Ride accordingly. Be cautious and alert.  At marked intersections, try to be sure that all drivers see you before proceeding. 

Many regular winter bicyclists, such as Johnson, particularly love the reliability and self-sufficiency of their activity. Unlike with motor vehicles, a bike always starts, regardless of the temperature. It only needs you to get going. “The biggest challenge (in winter bicycling) is staying organized for all of the extra layers of protection,” Johnson says.

Tags: bike community Minnesota, bike commuting Minneapolis, Kirk Johnson, winter biking, winter biking Minneapolis, winter biking Minnesota
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Cyclists, walkers brave sub-zero temps at Winter Wonder Walk/Ride

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Wind chills in Minneapolis as low as -10F didn’t keep scores of bicyclists and pedestrians from enjoying the Winter Wonder Walk/Ride on Sat., Feb. 11, on the Midtown Greenway.

The event, sponsored by the Midtown Greenway Coaliton, Bike Walk Twin Cities, and the Minneapolis Bike Coalition, encouraged current and would-be bicyclists and walkers to try out new bike equipment and socialize along the Midtown Greenway.

Event host Freewheel Midtown Bike Center touted free rides on fat-tire bikes — ideal for winter bicycling!

 

Tags: Bike Walk Move, Bike Walk Twin Cities, Freewheel Midtown Bike Center, Midtown Greenway, Minneapolis Bike Coalition, Nice Ride, winter biking, Winter Wonder Walk/Ride
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Bike Walk Move Profile: 30 Days of Biking’s Patrick Stephenson

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Patrick Stephenson went from tentative bike commuter to year-round biking enthusiast in two short years. The co-founder of 30 Days of Biking shares his road to biking and tips for newbies.

Age: 28

Neighborhood: North Loop, a.k.a., NoLo, the Sex World District

Occupation: Lead Copy Editor at Olson

When and why did you decide to start commuting by bike?

Summer 2009, Anno Domini, Modern Era. I’d considered bicycling to work before but didn’t feel the bikes I owned were suitable enough—or cool enough—for the ride to work. Then, I bought a Surly Steamroller, and the world opened up. I began commuting from St. Paul to Olson, an advertising agency in Loring Park. The ride was 8.5 miles each way, depending on the route I took. I’m not sure what my motivations were, exactly. I just wanted to try it. I wanted independence from the bus and the car I then shared. Bicycling has transformed my life: I now live in downtown Minneapolis, and that car belongs to a dealership again. I bike everywhere, year-round.

Tell us more about your bike.

I have a Surly Steamroller, fixed gear, black when I bought it but it’s now a scratched-up navy blue. It was cool enough to get me bicycling every day, and it felt immensely good to ride; it was sturdy and strong and fast. The Steamroller’s carried me through two winters and four rounds of 30 Days of Biking. I sometimes use Nice Ride instead, but now that Nice Ride is closed for the season, I’m pure Surly. I’ll miss those neon cruisers.

What is your commute to work like? What routes/lanes do you use?

My commute’s pretty pathetic now that I live downtown. My apartment building, the infamous Harmony Lofts, is across from Sex World and I need only bike to Loring Park. I can easily take Washington to Hennepin, then mash my way toward LP. Often I opt for a more byzantine route—longer but car-avoidant. My favorite route home takes me up 16th St. N, under 394, then past a warehouse where a horde of parking cop mini-SUVs are parked. From there, I hit Glenwood and take that until it transforms into 2nd, and home.

I love the Cedar Lake Trail. The bike lane on Hennepin is a blast to ride. Marquette is another good route from one end of downtown to another, especially when both lanes are shared.

How have the new downtown bike lanes affected your commute?

I pretty much hate riding on 1st Ave. N. No one knows how to park on it, and I see a car parked in the bike lane every day, sometimes buttressed by other cars that have followed its lead and parked there, too. I absolutely love the new bike lane on 3rd Street, and I look forward to when it connects with the Light Rail Trail–if that hasn’t happened already; I haven’t been down LRT-way in a little while (editor note: The Light Rail Trail prior to 11th is currently detoured due to Central Corridor construction. The detour will take you south on 11^th to the new Light Rail Trail link; then turn right (toward the river) and turn onto the new path just after the Light Rail Trail guard rails). My favorite route of all time is still the LRT to the Greenway to West River Parkway. I can’t bike it without feeling a little romantic twinge, because that was my route before I moved downtown.

How does your bike commute change from summer to winter? Do you have tips for those considering biking downtown in the winter?

It won’t change at all. The switch to winter doesn’t deter me. In fact, I love it. I love the extra attention it requires and the self-sufficiency of being properly layered and speedily moving around a winter landscape, powered by your own pedaling, as everyone else trudges. Tips? Tip 1: Experiment with layering to see what keeps you warm. Winter bicycling is not cold if you do it properly. It’s a joy. Tip 2: Don’t be scared of it; it’s not an extreme sport. Any able cyclist can bike in the winter, too!

What advice do you have for people who are considering bike commuting for the first time?

Just do it. Don’t worry about whether your bike is cool. Don’t worry about spandexed people sneering at you because you’re not doing it right, whatever that means. Buy good lights for your bike, back and front. Wear a helmet. Follow the law. Don’t ride against traffic, ride with it. Notify pedestrians on hybrid paths (“ON YOUR LEFT!”) and do not ride on the sidewalk. Get out there and do it is the best tip I know.

Tags: #30daysofbiking, 30 days of biking, biking downtown, downtown bike lanes, Patrick Stephenson, winter bicycling, winter biking, winter biking downtown, winter biking in Minneapolis
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