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Utility Cycling: How to Get Started

Note: This page is still under construction. 10 April 2009

The following information is based on material I wrote for the soon-to-be-published utility cycling booklet sponsored by the Sustainable Transportation Committee of Ozark Greenways and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Some information used by permission of the City of Springfield.

It is easy to ride a bicycle as basic transportation in Springfield. We have good streets, flat terrain, and a grid system that make cycling a smart option. Add to that a growing bicycle infrastructure, including greenways, bicycle lanes, and a bicycle route system. Springfield is poised to become a great American cycling city. This booklet is dedicated to helping you enjoy traveling around Springfield on your bicycle.

Benefits

Recent traffic studies have shown that half of all car trips made in the United States are less than two miles from home. And 28% of trips are less than one mile from home. These are easy distances to travel by bicycle. The benefits are numerous and include:

  • Saving money: Cars are expensive to run, especially for short distances. Besides gas, also consider the cost of oil, wear and tear, and insurance.
  • Improving your health: Bicycling is a low-stress exercise that almost anyone can enjoy.
  • Fighting pollution: Cars belch out the most pollution in the first few minutes of running after a cold start.
  • Getting in touch: A car isolates you from the community and the natural world. Cycling is a great way to connect with your neighborhood.
  • Making life better: The more people use bicycles for short trips the more these benefits help the entire community.

The 1-mile Solution

You might be thinking those benefits sound like a good deal but that riding a bicycle for basic transportation – called utility cycling – seems really difficult. The truth is that utility cycling is far easier than many people think. You don’t need a fancy bicycle. You don’t need special clothes. You don’t need lots of gear. All you need is a bicycle and an idea – an idea I call the 1-mile Solution.

Find your home on a map. Draw a circle with a 1-mile radius around your home. Try to replace one car trip per week within that circle by riding a bicycle or walking. At an easy riding pace you can travel one mile on a bicycle in about seven minutes. That’s it.

After seeing how easy that mile really is you may be encouraged to replace more car trips per week or to venture farther from home. You may even wish to commute to work by bicycle.

Click here for more information about the 1-mile solution.

Bicycle Facilities

Whether you want to ride a bicycle as basic transportation or enjoy the pleasures of recreation and exercise, Springfield offers facilities to make your ride safe, efficient, and enjoyable.

  • Streets: All Streets can be used by bicycles. Bicyclists must be aware of the character of traffic and conditions on each street. Bicyclists must evaluate the degree of risk they are willing to accept in sharing the roadway with other traffic. The most suitable streets have wide outside lanes, low traffic speed, low traffic volume, few high-volume cross streets and driveways, and no obstacles in the path of the bicycle such as storm water grates and uneven pavement. Nearly all local residential streets are suitable for bicycling.
  • Bicycle Routes: Streets that traffic engineers have determined to be suitable for bicyclists have been marked with bicycle route signs. These are streets that provide access to major destinations and continuity to travel across neighborhoods. Approximately 57 miles of streets are signed as bike routes.
  • Bicycle Lanes: There are approximately four miles of marked lanes for bicyclists on city streets.
  • Bicycle Paths: Bicycle paths are provided on the campus of Missouri State University.
  • Shared Roadways: Streets that have higher speeds and/or traffic volumes, but deemed suitable for experienced bicyclists, are marked with SHARE THE ROAD signs.
  • Multipurpose Paths: The Springfield/Greene County Parks Department maintains off-street paths for use by non-motorized modes of travel, including bicycling, roller-blading, running, and walking. Signs indicate where multipurpose paths intersect with the street system.

Click here for a map of Springfield’s bicycling infrastructure.

Rules of the road: Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights!

Traffic statistics show that bicyclists who follow the rules ride safely with other traffic. Your chances of being in an accident, however, greatly increase when you break the rules. Following the rules of the road also shows respect for other people who use the road. Bicyclists who follow the rules make life on the road better for all of us.

1. The rights and duties of people operating bicycles on a roadway are the same as the rights and duties of the driver of any vehicle on the roadway.

2. Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signs, signals, and markings. When dismounted, the bicycle operator shall obey all rules for pedestrians.

3. A bicycle should only carry the number of people for which the bicycle is equipped with seats.

4. Bicycles must be operated near the right-hand side of the roadway no more than two abreast.

5. The bicyclist entering a roadway from an alley, driveway, or building shall yield to all traffic in the roadway and pedestrians in the roadway or on a sidewalk.

6. No person shall drive a bicycle on a sidewalk within a business district. Whenever a person is driving a bicycle on a sidewalk, such person shall give an audible signal (such as stating “on your left”) before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.

7. Each bicycle operated during darkness must be equipped with a light and reflectors.

Bicycle Safety on the Streets

Is bicycling on Springfield’s streets dangerous?

There is no easy way to answer that question. On the one hand, accident statistics show that bicycling is very safe — indeed safer –  compared to driving, walking, and many other things we do daily without thinking about safety. On the other hand, when a 4,000-pound car strikes a 40-pound bicycle the bicycle loses every time. This doesn’t mean bicycling is dangerous. It means you, the bicyclist, need to take responsibility for your safety.

One thing, however, is clear: bicyclists are safer when they follow traffic laws.

As a beginning utility bicyclist you may feel nervous about some streets. That’s good. That shows a healthy respect for your own safety. The following section will teach you how to ride in traffic and avoid problems.

When we follow the rules and act responsibly, bicycling is one of the safest modes of transportation.

  • Protect yourself. Be noticed. Wear bright clothing. Use lights and reflectors on your person and bicycle in low light. Wear a bicycle helmet. Use your eyes and ears to detect traffic, trains, and warning signals.
  • Obey all traffic rules. Bicycles are not toys. They are legal vehicles on the road. Those who operate them on city streets must obey the traffic laws. Stop at all stop signs and red lights. Yield to traffic according to the Missouri traffic code. Yield to pedestrians when appropriate.
  • Be predictable. Use the proper hand signals about 100 feet before making turns and stops.
  • Drive on the right-hand side of the street in the same direction as automobiles. Normal lane positioning is two to four feet from the curb or roadway edge and five feet from parked cars.
  • Position yourself in your approach to an intersection appropriately for your intended direction of travel. Bicyclists should position themselves in the through lane or the appropriate turn lane as they approach the intersection. For intersections without traffic lights: If turning right, use the right side of the lane. If crossing the intersection, position just to the right of center in the lane. If turning left, use the center of the left turn lane or left side of a shared road. For intersections with traffic lights: Where traffic signal detection is provided, the best place for detection is in the center of the lane. On some streets you may be able to see where a saw cut has been filled with tar over the detection wires. Bicycle lanes, where provided, end near the beginning of left turn lanes.
  • Always check behind. When changing lanes or your position in a lane, always check behind for vehicles. Never move left on a bicycle without checking behind. Mirrors are helpful. But also turn your head and look behind. Make eye contact with drivers of nearby vehicles before changing your position in the roadway.
  • Position in the lane for speed. If slower than other traffic, stay to the right. If riding the same speed as traffic, use the center of the lane. If faster than other traffic, overtake on the left.
  • Stay out of the door zone. When riding along a line of parked cars, allow five feet between yourself and the cars.
  • Take the lane when appropriate. The law says cyclists, as slower traffic, “shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe.” There are times when taking the lane is necessary for the safety of all traffic. For narrow lanes, a position four feet from the right edge of the lane will properly require drivers approaching from the rear to slow down to follow you until they can safely pass by crossing into the adjacent lane.
  • Don’t forget safety in bicycle lanes and on bikeways and greenway trails. Dedicated lanes and trails for bicycles provide safe and efficient routes in certain areas of Springfield. Be aware of other users of these facilities – especially pedestrians. Always pass slower trail users on the left. Always signal your intent to pass by saying “On your left” or gently using a bicycle bell.

The Usual “Buts”

Children love to ride bicycles. Learning to ride offers them their first taste of freedom. Bicycling for children is much like swinging – pure joy. So what happened to so many of us after childhood? Why do we stop riding even for pleasure? Let’s take a look at a few of the “buts.”

  • But I have a junky bicycle. It’s true that a well-maintained bicycle is a safe bicycle. We have many excellent bicycle shops in Springfield that can keep your bicycle in good repair for a modest price. All that is required of you is to check your tire pressure at least once per week and check that all nuts and quick-release levers are tight and secure. Check the resources section of Carbon Trace for information about do-it-yourself maintenance and safety checks.
  • But isn’t it dangerous to ride in traffic? It certainly can be dangerous if you do not follow the rules. Bicyclists who follow traffic laws and the safety advice found on Carbon Trace will find that riding in modest traffic is a safe and fun way to get around town.
  • But won’t motorists honk and get angry if I ride in traffic? It may surprise you to learn that drivers in Springfield are remarkably tolerant of bicyclists. That may be because they understand that bicyclists have an equal right to the road and an equal responsibility to follow the law. Every once in a while a driver may honk or get angry. The best advice in this situation is to avoid confrontation.
  • But if I ride to work won’t I get all sweaty? A human being riding a bicycle is an efficient moving machine in terms of the speed and distance you can achieve for very little effort. If you ride modest distances (three miles or less) at modest speeds (about 10 to 12 miles per hour) you should arrive at your destination as fresh as you started. On very hot and humid days, however, you will sweat doing just about anything. For longer distances or on hot days, you may find it necessary clean up upon arrival. This may be easily accomplished by carrying packs of moist wipes and deodorant. It’s also a good idea to carry suit coats, dress shoes, ties, and other dress items in a backpack or panniers. Freshening up will take just a few minutes in your company lavatory.
  • But won’t it take a long time to get where I’m going? Half of all car trips in the United States are less than two miles from home. A bicyclist traveling at modest speeds, and following the traffic laws, can cover that distance in less than 15 minutes.
  • But I’m out of shape. Again, a human on a bicycle is an efficient moving machine. As long as you are not trying to race the wind, you will find traveling modest distances at modest speeds is very easy. And bicycling is an excellent, low impact exercise. You won’t be out of shape for long.
  • But what if the weather is bad? Practicing the 1-mile Solution does not require that you ride when conditions are bad. You will discover, however, that adequate clothing will keep you dry, warm, and comfortable if you choose to ride in bad weather.
  • But where will I park my bicycle? Finding a good place to lock your bicycle can sometimes be a challenge. The City of Springfield, however, has made great progress in providing bicycle parking – especially downtown. You will also find many retailers provide bicycle racks. If there is no bicycle rack at your favorite destination, call and ask for one. Providing bicycle parking is just good business.
  • But don’t I need a lot of expensive equipment? You just need a bicycle, a helmet, and the desire to ride. If you plan to ride after dark, you will need lights that conform to Missouri law.
  • But I need help doing this. Not a problem. Reading Carbon Trace and the Springfield utility bicycling booklet is a good first start. Also be sure to check the internet resources listed on Carbon Trace. You will also find that your local bicycle shop is always happy to help. You will find a list of these shops on the Carbon Trace sidebar.

Gear and Tools

All you really need to ride the streets of Springfield is a bicycle, a helmet, and lights.

  • Your bicycle: The best bicycle for riding the streets of Springfield is the bicycle you like to ride. Be sure that the bicycle fits properly and that the saddle is adjusted to your height. Bicyclists who specialize in utility cycling, however, generally prefer mountain bikes, hybrids, cruisers, or town bikes for basic transportation.
  • Your helmet: Wearing a helmet is a good idea. Helmets are not a substitute for safe, lawful riding. Replace your helmet if it becomes damaged or every five years. Be sure your helmet fits properly. It should be snug but not tight. It should not slide or wobble.
  • Your lights: Missouri law requires you to use lights from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.

Extras

You may wish to add some helpful gear as you become confident in your ability to travel around Springfield by bicycle.

  • Your baskets and panniers: Adding a basket and/or panniers to your bicycle allows you to safely carry many types of items. They come in handy for shopping and running general errands.
  • Your lock: If you plan to park your bicycle and leave it (even for a short time), you should use a good bicycle lock. Cable locks are popular but are also vulnerable to tampering. Steel U-locks are easy to use, inexpensive, and make your bicycle difficult to steal.
  • Your fenders and chain guard: Fenders and a chain guard are great additions to a utility bicycle. They keep you and the bicycle much cleaner.
  • Your took kit: As you gain confidence and begin riding farther from home, you will want to carry a small tool kit. Your kit should include at least a multi-purpose tool made for bicycles and a tire patch kit. Carrying an extra inner tube is also a good idea. You can find these tools at your local bicycle shop.