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Bike and saveIs the Cost of Getting Around Getting You Down? Many Midlanders Are Turning to Their Two-Wheelers.Want to Commute to Work By Bike?

Posted on: Monday, 19 September 2005, 21:00 CDT

With gas prices hovering near $3 a gallon and the nation's waistlines expanding, hopping on a bicycle and pedaling to work is looking better all the time.

Several local bike shop owners and a local bike club president say they're seeing a few more people make the switch from four to two wheels. Some are greasing up old bikes; others are coming in for new models geared up for workday travel.

But fueling a real revolution in bicycle commuting may take convincing people that it can be done and making cities -- including the Omaha metropolitan area -- easier to navigate.

"The more you do it, the more comfortable you get with it," said Stephen Schnitker, president of the Omaha Pedalers Bicycle Club. He commutes to work by bike on most days.

To explore ways to make the metro area more bike-friendly, the club and several area planning and recreational organizations have invited the League of American Bicyclists to lead a planning workshop in Omaha Oct. 19.

Last year, the club and others unsuccessfully sought a bicycle- friendly community designation for Omaha from the league. The city received kudos for its recreational trails but didn't measure up when it came to encouraging commuting to work.

The city, however, recently added what may be its first bike- dedicated lane on Happy Hollow Boulevard.

Council Bluffs expects to hear within the month whether it will receive a league designation. The city earned listings under an earlier version of the program in 2000 and 2001. Lincoln received honorable mention in 2003 but has not reapplied, league officials said.

Being bike-friendly includes not only establishing trails and making streets safer for bicycling but also educating bicyclists, promoting bicycling activities, enforcing traffic laws and planning for the future, according to the league.

"Our hope is they (gas prices) stay high long enough to open people's ideas to new means of transportation," said Kent McNeil, owner of the Trek Store of Omaha and Highgear Bike & Outdoor in La Vista.

Want to commute to work by bike?

Here are some tips:

Gearing up Bicycle commuters ride a variety of bikes, often depending on what they ride for leisure. Mark Savery, manager of Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha, said he usually steers those buying bikes for commuting toward hybrids.

Bicycle manufacturers, however, are beginning to recognize the interest in commuting and are making models ready to roll in the urban jungle.

The Trek T80 has a fully enclosed drive train (chain and gears), an integrated rear lock to keep people from riding off with the bike, lights with generators and full-wrap fenders. Trek and Gary Fischer both are coming out with 2006 commuter models priced at $420 to $1,399.

Riders also can gear up existing bikes by:

Adding carrying capacity. A plethora of bags and baskets are available, including backpacks. Another option is a rack over the rear tire with panniers (bags) on each side.

Visualizing. Add lights and reflectors. New LED models shine brightly and use less power. Some rechargeable models also are available. Many bags and clothing items come with reflector strips.

Accessorizing. Fenders keep mud and rain from flying, protective clothing keeps wind and water out, bands keep pant legs out of chains, and wax chain lubricants prevent black smears.

Blazing a trail Bike trails provide a great starting point. Maps are available at many bike shops, fitness stores and libraries or through the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 444-6222 or www.papionrd.org.

But most trails run north-south, requiring commuters to seek east- west routes. Current commuters recommend scouting routes ahead of time by bike or car. In gridded sections of town, ride a block or two north or south of major streets.

If you're riding at a leisurely pace, you shouldn't need much cleanup. If you do, check your workplace for gym or shower facilities or try a nearby fitness center. Check your workplace for bike racks.

Rules of the road Wear a helmet. Stephen Schnitker, president of the Omaha Pedalers Bicycle Club, says he has cracked three helmets but never his head. Replace helmets after any impact, even if there is no visible damage.

Make yourself visible and make sure you can see others. Wear brightly colored clothing; add flags and rear view mirrors for helmets and handlebars.

Bicycles are safest when they are operated according to traffic laws and behave like another vehicle. Stop at stop signs and signals. Ride on the right, with traffic. Use hand signals to stop, turn or change lanes. Motorists should give cyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.

Keep bike maintained to prevent breakdowns.

Sources: Mark Savery and Kent McNeill, Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha; Larry Thorsen, Olympia Cycle; Steve Schnitker, Omaha Pedalers Bicycle Club; Mitch Kline, local commuter; League of American Bicyclists.

Source: Omaha World - Herald

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