Safe Cycling 2014

8/12/2019 Safe Cycling 2014

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S A F E C YC L I N G

I N

A GUIDE for CYCLISTS

CHICAGO

F R E E

City of ChicagoRahm Emanuel, Mayor


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ride A Bike! ...........................................................................................

Buying a Bike ........................................................................................Types of Bikes ......................................................................................Helmets ....................................................................................................Locking Your Bike .............................................................................Carrying Things ..................................................................................

Register Your Bike ............................................................................Bike Maintenance ..............................................................................How to Fix a Flat Tire .....................................................................Bicycle Laws ...................................................................................Traffic Basics ........................................................................................Types of bike lanes .....................................................................Riding in Traffic ...................................................................................Hand Signals .........................................................................................Turning .....................................................................................................The Door Zone ...............................................................................What to Do in a Crash ...........................................................

Streets for Cycling ...........................................................................Bikes on Transit .................................................................................Bikes on Transit .................................................................................Off Street Cycling ............................................................................Riding at Night ..................................................................................Riding in Bad Weather .................................................................

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www.chicagocompletestreets.org

Bicycling is a great way to get around your neighborhood andaround town. It is healthy, economical, environmentally friendlyand a wonderful way to discover Chicago.

From locking your bike to fixing a flat tire , you will find all sortsof useful information inside this Safe Cycling in Chicago booklet.Riding a bike can lead to a life-long transportation choice that'sgood for you, your community and the environment.

We invite you to review this booklet and discover for yourselfwhy Chicago is a great city for bicycling.

RIDE A BIKE!

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Photo: Serge Lubomudrov


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Also consider these things:What kind of riding you plan todo and what type of bike is bestsuited for you.

The cost of the bike.

The cost of a lock, lights, helmetand other accessories like a rackand fenders.

Whether you can exchange partsfor better fit or use.

Guarantees and warranties onthe purchase.

Bike shop quality and service.

BUYING A BIKE

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When buying a bike wear clothes like the ones you plan tobike in regularly and take a test ride like the riding you willdo to work, school and around the city.

If your bike budget issmall consider buyinga used bike. Used bikes

can be found at thriftshops and yard salesfor cheap. WorkingBikes Cooperative

have a used bike saleon weekends. Go to:

www.workingbikes.orgfor more information.

If you plan to buy aused bike make sureit is in good workingorder. A used bike thatneeds work may bemore costly to fix thanbuying a new bike andmight be dangerous

to ride. Having a usedbike tuned-up may bean affordable and reli-able solution.

Remember !


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TYPES OF BIKES

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Different types of bikes are good for different styles ofriding. Consider what kind of riding youll do most whenchoosing a bike.

Mountain Bikes have wide knobbytires and low gears for riding offroad as well as an aggressive posi-tion for technical trail riding.

Cruisers have a laid-back uprightposition, wide, smooth tires and usu-ally just a single speed for leisurelyrides on streets and paths.

Cross or Hybrids are a mix betweena mountain and road bike withsemi-slick tires, wide gearing and anupright but active position. Crossbikes make excellent commuter bikesfor their versatile use.

Road Bikes have narrow slick tires,high gears and an aggressive posi-tion for fast speeds and racing onsmooth clear pavement.


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EyesWhen you look up you should see thefront rim of the helmet. If not, yourhelmet wont protect your forehead.EarsThe side straps should come to a V

just below each ear. Mouth: When youopen your mouth wide, you should feelthe helmet push down on your head. Ifyour helmet doesn't pass the test, adjustthe straps or add bigger pads to get theright fit.VentilationGood air flow comes from long, widevents that channel air through the hel-met to keep you cool.CostYou can spend well over $100 for the lat-est space age helmet, but a good safety-rated helmet goes for around $30.

HELMETS

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Always wear a bicycle helmet to reduce the risk of permanentinjury or death from a crash. To make sure your helmet fitsright, put it on and then use the eyes/ears/mouth test.

Replace your helmet if it becomes damaged in an accident.Also replace a helmet every two years. The foam inside becomeshard and stale and will not absorb shock as well as it should.

Tip !

RIGHT

WRONG


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Always lock your bike , evenif you are just leaving it for amoment. Always use a high qual-ity U-lock. U-locks are strong andbetter ones come with theft war-ranties.Always lock through the frameand at least one wheel. Add acable to lock both wheels.Always lock to something securelike a bike rack, parking meter orfirmly affixed sign pole. Beware oflocking to sucker poles that areloosely bolted down and can eas-ily be removed.Remove detachable items likelights, bags and quick releaseparts from your bike and takethem with you.Consider replacing quick releaseparts with ones that bolt on forgreater convenience and security.Lock your bike close by and keepit in view as much as possible.Lock near entrances andwell-lit, secure areas. Lock yourbike inside if space is available.Lock your bike when keeping itin a garage or other unattendedindoor area.

LOCKING YOUR BIKE

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For greater security, useboth a u-lock and a cable

Always lock the frame andone wheel to the bike rack.

For long-term parking, lockthe frame and both wheelsto the rack.


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Carrying your stuff does not have to be a pain in the back.It is easy to carry things on your bike.

CARRYING THINGS

A heavy backpack can strain your neck and shoulders, mak-ing it difficult to balance and control your bike. Carrying things inhand is dangerous and makes it hard to brake and shift.

Remember !

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A rack

A rack +

+

=

=A pannier

A milk crate

A bike ready to haul

A bike prepared to carry


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Engrave yourname or an I.D.number on yourbike.

Insert an info cardinto your tire thatidentifies you asthe owner.

Insert an info cardinto your handlebaror seat post.

Keep a record of your bikesmake, model and serial num-ber.If your bike is stolen reportit to police by calling 311. Tellthem when and where it wasstolen, the make, model and itsserial number and a call backnumber you can be reached at.They will call you with a reportnumber to be used with insur-ance claims. They will call againif your bike is recovered.

REGISTER YOUR BIKERegister your bike with the Chicago Police Departmentand campus security if a student. A stolen bikeis much more likely to be returned if it is registered.You can pick up a Chicago Police Department reg-istration form at most bike shops or register online at:chicagocompletestreets.org/bikeregistration

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Mark your bike to show ownership if stolen and recovered.

Bicycle registration card

Make

Model

Year

Color

Serial number

Type

Wheel size

0 0 1 - 0 3 4


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BIKE MAINTENANCEMaintaining your bike in good working condition is as easy asan ABC Quick Check. Do the Check before each ride. Regularmaintenance prevents breakdowns and keeps you ridingsafely.

Check the Air in tires for pressure by leaningall your weight on the bike and seeing if thetires bulge. If so, fill to recommended pressureprinted on the side of the tire. Bikes roll fasterand get fewer flats with tires filled to pressure.

Check the Brakes by pulling the levers androcking on the wheels. If the brakes are work-ing right the wheels should skid when bike ispushed.

Check that the Chain moves quietly andsmoothly when back pedaling. Lube chain

regularly to keep running well. Wipe offexcess lube from outside of chain with a rag.Excess lube attracts dirt.

Check that any Quick release parts are tightlysecured. Levers curved in towards the bike arelocked. Levers curved away are unlocked andare in danger of coming off while riding.

Check your bike by giving the wheels a spin(to check for rubbing) and give bike a bounce(to listen for loose rattling parts).

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9. Delate the tube

by pushing in thevalve stem.10. Using sandingpad , roughen thetube around thehold in an areaabout as big as aquarter.

11. Squeeze alittle glue outof the containerand using thecontainer's nozzleto smear the glueover the rough-ened area.12. Taking carenot to touch theglue , hold thetube against thetire to find wherethe punctureoccurred. Runyour fingers alongto underside andremove any debris.13. Remove thefoil back from thepatch onto theglued area andpress for a minute.

HOW TO FIX A FLAT

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1. Lay your bike

on its side or standit upside down.2. Use a tire lever to pry the tire overthe rim. Leave thelever between thetire and the rim soit does not popback in. If you don'thave another lever,

insert a flat stick.

3. Using a secondlever a few inchesfrom the first lever,pry out more ofthe tire. Movearound the tireuntil you've priedout the entire side.4. Reach underthe tire and pullout the tube.5. To get thevalve out of therim, hold the tireaway from thevalve with yourthumb. Use yourother hand to pullout the valve.

6. Pump air into

the tube until it'sstretched tight. Ifyou can't find thehole in the tubeby listening, lightlygrab the tube witha circle made byyour thumb andfingers. Run yourhand around the

tube until you feela stream of air.

7. If the hole's toobig to patch (big-ger than a pinhole)or it's next to thevalve stem, youmust remove thewheel and replacethe tube.8. Make the hole with a pen or chalk.

14. Put the value

into the rim holeand pump a littleair into the tube.Work the tube intothe tire makingsure the tube doesnot get twisted.

15. Using yourthumbs , push thetire inside the rimDon't pinch thetube between therim and the tire.

16. Push thevalve most of theway into the tire.Ensure the tire sitsin the rim evenly.

Remove Find Patch Replace


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Bic yclist s are subje ct to the s ame l aws a s oth er us ers of ther oad. It is yo ur re spons ibilit y to k now and re spec t the rules of th e roa d. Be low a re so me Illi nois bicycl e law s. To l earnm ore ab out I llinois and Chica go b icycle laws, visit:chicag ocom plete stree ts.org /bike laws .

ILLINOIS BICYCLE LAWS

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Lane Positioning:

Left Turns :

When riding roadways and bicycle paths at less than normal trafficspeed, and as close and safe to the right-hand curb or edge of road-

way except:1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceed-ing in the same direction; or2. When preparing for a left turn; or3. When reasonably necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects orsubstandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along theright-hand curb or edge. A "substandard width lane" means a lanethat is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by

side within the lane.4. When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.5. When riding on a one-way highway with two or more markedtraffic lanes (5/11-1510)

Bicyclists may choose between a vehicular-style left turn or a box-style left turn [5/11-1510]. For vehicular-style left turns, proceed as if

driving a vehicle, moving to the left lane or the left side of a singlelane prior to the intersection (5/11-801) .


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Local ordinance may prohibit bicyclists from using sidewalks. Wherepermitted, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and give audiblesignals before passing pedestrians and give audible signals beforepassing pedestrians. Bicyclists using sidewalks have all the rightsand duties of pedestrians. (5/11-1512)

Lights and Other Equipment on Bicycles - For night riding a frontlamp with a white light visible from at least 500 feet to the frontand a red reflector on the rear visible from 100 feet to 600 feet arerequired. A rear light visible from 500 feet may be used in additionto the red reflector. (5/11-1507)

League of Illinois Bicyclists630-978-0583www.BikeLIB.org

ILLINOIS BICYCLE LAWS

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Left Turns continued :

Use of Sidewalks:

For box-style left-turns, riding near the right side of the roadway,cross the intersecting roadway, stop (as much as practicable out ofthe way of traffic), yield to any traffic and proceed in the new direc-tion while obeying any official traffic control device or police officer.(5/11-1510)

Hand Signals - Signals shall be given from the left and right side asfollows: Left turn and right turn - hand and arm extended horizon-tally. Stop or decrease of speed - hand and arm extended down-ward. (5/11-806) Signal not less than the last 100 feet before the turn,


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There are s ever al city ordi nance s tha t prot ect c yclists in t heMu nicipa l Cod e.

CHICAGO BICYCLE LAWS

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Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rightsand shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.Cyclists must follow all rules of the roadway including, but not limited to, stop-ping at stop signs, following traffic signals, not riding on the sidewalk andyielding to pedestrians.

Bicyclists are protected from careless driving under the same ordinance thatprotects pedestrians.

Motorists must yield to bicyclists when turning left at an intersection, as theywould to any other approaching vehicle. This type of crash is commonly calledthe left hook. Motorists are also prohibited from turning right in front of a

bicyclist. This crash is commonly called the right hook. This is similar to theIllinois statute prohibiting a right turn in front of a mass transit bus.

Motorists must pass cyclists at a safe distance, at least three feet of space.

Parking in bike lanes or marked shared lanes endangers bicyclists by forcingthem to merge with faster moving traffic.

Rights and Duties 9-52-010

Failure to Exercise Due Care 9-40-160

Turning Left or Right in Front of a Bicyclist 9-16-020 (e), (f)

Overtaking a Bicyclist at an Unsafe Distance 9-36-010 (c)

Opening a Vehicle Door into the Path of a Bicyclist 9-80-035

Using a front light and a rear reflector when riding at night 9-52-080


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Be Confident andshow it when riding.Learn good han-dling skills and donot hesitate whileriding in traffic.

Be Courteous toother users of theroad. Communicateyour actions withhand signals, eyecontact and soundwhen needed.

Be Aware of yoursurroundings androad conditions byconstantly scanningthe area and regu-larly looking behindyou for traffic.

TRAFFIC BASICSRid ing predic tably is th e be st wa y to ride safe ly on citys treet s. Res pect the law and follo w tra ffic ru les to be pr edic t-able to ot her u sers o f the road.

Hold your line when riding in traffic. Do not weave in and out ofparked cars, intersections or turn lanes. Ride in a straight line inyour travel lane.

Tip

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Bike Lanes arestriped, on-streetlanes with a bicyclesymbol and an arrow.Avoid riding in thedoor zone where adoor can open intothe bike lane.

Marked Shared

Lanes are not stripedbut show the bicycle

symbol and a chev-ron; they are typicallyinstalled when thereis not enough widthfor a full bike lane.

Bike lanes encourage people to travel by bicycle by givingthem a designated space on the street.

TYPES OF BIKE LANES

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Barrier-ProtectedBike Lanes use phys-ical barriers betweencyclists and moving

cars to help peopleof all ages feel morecomfortable on thestreet. The lane isusually located nextto the curb. Carspark between thebike lane and cartravel lane.

Buffer-ProtectedBike Lanes are

similar to conven-tional bike lanes, withextra space to keepcyclists further fromparked vehicles andopening doors.

TYPES OF BIKE LANES

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It is against the law and it is dangerous. If you think you are saferbecause you can see cars coming you are wrong! 20% of car-bikecollisions result from cyclists riding the wrong way. Oncoming carsare not looking for you and turning vehicles can not see you.Riding with traffic allows motorists to gradually overtakeand pass bicyclists.

Bikes and buses often share the same space and play a game ofleapfrog with each other in traffic. Make sure to pass stoppedbuses on the left after checking behind to see if its clear. Give thebus plenty of room when you pass and again when it passes you.Do not pass a bus to make a right turn.

Hearing traffic can be nearly as important as seeing it. Hearing anemergency vehicle, an accelerating car engine or a horn honk froman alley alerts you of a cars position.

RIDING IN TRAFFICNever ride against traffic

Do not get squeezed out by buses

Beware of a vehicles blind spots when riding behind or passing. Ifyou cant see drivers they probably dont see you.Beware of oncoming vehicles blocking your view Other traffic maybe oncoming that you cant see. Wait for a clear view to proceed.Beware of following vehicles so closely you cant see roadconditions, cyclists, pedestrians or traffic.

Never wear headphones when cycling

Beware of other drivers

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HAND SIGNALSUse Hand Signals to communicate your movements. You canalso use hand signals to point out road obstacles, show com-mands and express thanks for receiving the right of way.Make Noise by shouting out to get drivers attention or towarn others of your position.

Turning left

Turning right

Turning right

Slowing down

When turning at inter-

sections, pull in frontof traffic when waitingat intersections. Thisallows you to be seenby stopped motoristsand out of car's exhaust.Make eye contact withstopped drivers and

check their signals.Stay to the left of right-turning vehicles. Positionyourself in line with thehood of the car. Alwaysyield to pedestrians.

Tip

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TURNING

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(1) To cross an intersec-tion, use the lane farthest

to the right that pointsto where you are going.Follow lane markings tocross an intersectoin. Ifyou cant change lanes toturn left, ride across thestreet to the other sideand align your bike withtraffic.(2) Always stop forpedestrians in crosswalks.

(3) Dont ride on the side-walk. Chicago law pro-hibits bike on a sidewalkif you are 12 years old or

older, unless it is markedas a bike route.

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When riding in a bikelane ride on the leftside of the lane:(1) Ride at least 3 feetaway from parkedcars on the street(2) Take the full laneif theres no room tosafely pass open cardoors and to avoidexiting passengers

THE "DOOR" ZONE

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The door zone is the 3-4 feet along the left side of a parked car where an opening door can hit and seriouslyinjure a cyclist.

Look inside parked cars and their side rearview mirrors whenpassing and move outside the door zone if you see exitingpassengers. Watch behind you for traffic when moving out ofthe door zone and into the full lane. A bike mirror helps yousee behind to know if cars are approaching.

Tip

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Do not move unless your safety is in danger. Prevent further injuryand draw attention to the scene by staying down until police arrive.

Get officers name, badge number, the police report number andwhere to call for a copy. Make sure a police report is made.

Have someone call for the police and ambulance. Report driver andvehicle information if accident is a hit and run.

Get name, address, phone number, drivers license and plate, cardescription, and insurance info from every vehicle driver involved.Get witness name, address and phone number.

Stay calmAfter a crash you get very excited. You may not notice an injuryand aggravate it further. You may also suffer from shock because ofexcitement. Try to stay calm and focus on the situation. Get treatedby paramedics and go to the hospital if necessary. Have someone

else gather information for you if you are unable. Have emergencycontact information in your wallet or printed inside your helmet. Ifyou cant take your bike from the scene lock it there and come backfor it later. For more information about what to do after a crash, visit www.activetrans.org/knowyourrights/after-a-crash or call 312.869.HELP

WHAT TO DO IN A CRASHCrashes can be scary and disorienting. Here are someimportant actions to take if you have been in a crash with amotor vehicle.

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Stay down

Call the police

Get police info

Get motorist and witness info


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Riding in GroupsRiding a bike isnt only a great way toget around on your own, but it can be agreat time with friends too! Remember afew things when riding with a group. Beresponsible for yourself. Be aware of your

position and the position of those aroundyou. Announce obstacles to fellow riders.When maneuvering through intersectionsstay close and when appropriate, rideside by side and take the lane.

STREETS FOR CYCLINGDont know where to bicycle inChicago? Check the Chicago BikeMap. Hundreds of streets were con-sidered and thousands of miles rid-den to select the most convenientand appropriate routes. Many of therecommended routes will help you

get around situations unfriendly tobicycling (such as expressways).While routes throughout Chicagoare identified, some areas of thecity have fewer choices than others.To view or request a copyof the map go tochicagocompletestreets.org/ bikemap

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You can bring your bike on CTA trains weekdays except during rushhour (7am-9am and 4pm-6pm) and any time during weekends andholidays (except July 3rd). You can also put your bike on the frontof a CTA bus bicycle carrying rack anytime. There is no extra chargefor taking your bike with you on the CTA. Taking your bike on theCTA can allow you to make longer trips that you may not be able todo with your bike or the CTA alone.For more info about bikes on the CTA call 888-YOUR-CTA or go towww.transitchicago.com and check out the CTAs Bike & Ride brochure.

You can take your bike on all Pace suburban buses.For trip-planning, route, fare and schedule information call 847-364-PACE or visit www.pacebus.com. For travel and trip planning on CTA, Pace and Metra call RTA information at836-7000.

BIKES ON TRANSITTo make cycling even more convenient, the Chicago Transit

Authority (CTA) welcomes bicycles on trains and busesthrough the year-round CTA Bike & Ride program.On CTA

On Pace

Tips for bikes on CTA and Pace buses

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1. Alert bus driverof bike rack use,squeeze handle andlower rack. If bikerack is full wait forthe next bus.

2. Place bike inempty space clos-est to the bus. Thefirst bike in facesthe curb, the sec-ond bike faces thestreet.

3. Secure the sup-port arm over thefront wheel. Do notlock bike to rack.Board bus andBoard bus and pay.fare. Notify driverwhen leaving bus.


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Bicycles must be packed in a carrying case or box, securely fas-tened and checked. An additional fee may be charged.Go to www.greyhound.com for more info.

Amtrak has roll-on service on some lines or check as baggageon others.Go to www.amtrak.com for more info.

Bicycle accommodations vary between airlines.For recommended airlines visit the League of American Bicyclists at

www.bikeleague.org.

BIKES ON TRANSIT

On Greyhound Bus

On Amtrak

On Airlines

Metra trains also allow bicycles during non-rush hours. Two bikesare allowed per train. Ask the conductor to direct you to the appro-priate bike storage area; it varies by train car type. You must bring abungee cord to secure your bike on a Metra train.Check the train schedule for more information at metrarail.com.

On Metra

1. Stand near eitherend of the train carholding your bikesecurely. Do notblock exits.

2. When sitting,place your footnear the wheel toprevent bike fromrolling. Dont blockthe aisle and beaware of the spaceyour bike occupies.

3. Use wheelchairspace if unoccu-pied. Move if spaceis needed.

Tips for bikes on CTA trains

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OFF STREET CYCLING

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Biking on Campusis a great way to get to classes and elsewhere around school. Mostschools have shared use paths for cyclists and others. Obey postedsigns, stop for pedestrians and be aware of any special path rulesyour school may have.

1. Keep to the right.Yield to pedestrians andslower moving trail usersexcept when passing.Slow down through heavytraffic.

2. Use your path.Do not bike on designatedwalking or running paths.

3. Be careful at crossings.Look both ways. Yieldto through traffic andremember pedestrianshave the right of way.

4. Advise otherswhen passing.Sound your bell or horn orcall out when approach-ing pedestrians or slowercyclists, then pass safelyon the left.

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The first rule of riding at night is to BE SEEN! Both Chicagoand Illinois law require a front light and a rear reflector whenriding at night.

RIDING AT NIGHT

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Ride with extra caution at night. It is harder to see drivers andpredict their moves. There are many tired drivers at night andsome may be drunk. Be alert and know your way. Choose aroute with which youre familiar.

Tip

1. Reflective tape on helmet

2. Reflective safety vest

3. Clip-on strobe light

4. Rear light and reflectors

5. Reflective tape6. Headlight

7. Reflectivesidewall tires

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You can bike in all weather year round with the rightequipment. Youll be warm and dry biking while otherswait in the cold for their car to warm up or bus to arrive.For more info visit www.bikewinter.org.

RIDING IN BAD WEATHER

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Tip

Base layer: Moisture-wicking fabric likepolypropylene, poly-ester, nylon or silk.

MIddle layer: Wearan insulating layerthat will hold heatlike wool or fleece.

Outer layer: Weatherproof outer layer willkeep you warm anddry in wet conditions.

Dress in layers when dressing for cold weather.

1. Ski goggles

2. Balaclava

3. Rain gear

4. Ski gloves5. Shoe covers

6. Fenders

7. Water-proof boots

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Photo: Serge Lubomudrov


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Bicycling is a great way to get to work, school and aroundthe city. Inside this Safe Cycling in Chicago guide learn

great tips and tricks on how to use your bike for transpor-tation in Chicago. For additional free copies of this and

other great City of Chicago bicycle publications,including the Chicago Bike Map, visit

chicagocompletestreets.org

S A F

E C YC L I N

G I N

A GUIDE for CYCLISTS

CHICAGO

City of ChicagoRahm Emanuel, Mayor

Funding provided by

Safe Cycling 2014

Documents

Transcript of Safe Cycling 2014