Vehicular Cycling and The Five Rules of Commuting

Bike commuting is easy. All you do is hop on your bike and ride from Point A to Point B. Then when you’re done, you ride back. Simple.

Well… yes and no.

While riding your bike is pretty straight forward, bike commuting as an activity and a means of daily transportation is much more than simply pumping your pedals and letting the laws of physics move you between destinations. In fact, successful bike commuting involves much, much more than that.

Vehicular Cycling is the one important concept you should get to know if you want to be a successful and safe bike commuter. In short, Vehicular Cycling means that you operate your bicycle just like any other vehicle on the road. You use the same etiquette and the same common sense to ride as you would to drive; while some regulations may be bicycle specific, bike commuters follow the same basic traffic rules as every other vehicle on the road.

Vehicular Cycling makes plenty of sense once you start practicing it. There is a fantastic pamphlet called "Bicycling Street Smarts: Riding Confidently, Legally and Safely” by John S. Allen. BikeABQ has a digital version on their web site. Check it out today.

There are also the Five Rules of Commuting:

See – Make sure you have a clear line of sight at all the important angles at all times. This includes checking out the road behind you. Seeing means have the right equipment: lights, mirrors, eyewear, etc. It also means staying mentally sharp and constantly attentive to your surroundings.

Be Seen – Make sure others can clearly see you and know what you are doing. Again, this means having the right equipment: lights, reflectors, bright clothing. It also means riding in a manner that keeps you in sight and conducting yourself in a way that is predictable for other vehicles. Do you know the correct hand singles for turning left or right?

Be Prepared – What if you get a flat? What if it rains? What if you start getting blisters? What if you take a spill and break a wrist? What if someone else does? There are inherent risks with any physical activity and bike commuting is no different. Think through the possible scenarios that could realistically occur along your ride and prepare – both mentally and with the correct equipment – to successfully see them through.

Keep Rolling Smoothly – Sure, you can pump the pedals and make the bike move. But how smooth are you? Does your front wheel wobble back and forth? Do you struggle to find the right gear? Can you hop over curbs or objects in the road? You also need to take care of your bike mechanically so that the operation is efficient and easy. Don’t let your chain sing; keep it well lubricated.

Enjoy – Bike commuting should be fun. Ask yourself: “Why do I ride?” When you have your answer, that’s the enjoyment you should seek each time you head out.

Bike commuting is easy… provided you give it some thought. Following the principles of Vehicular Cycling and the Five Rules of Commuting will get you headed down the right path to effective, safe, and enjoyable bike commuting. But ultimately, there is only one thing that determines your success…

You.

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Click here to check out BikeABQ’s digital pamphlet of "Bicycling Street Smarts: Riding Confidently, Legally and Safely". Click on "Commuting" under "Resources" to find the illustrated guide to vehicular cycling.