We know what you're thinking: Riding a bike is the easiest thing ever. You learned how to do it as a toddler—how hard can it be?! Well pump the brakes, ladies, because whether you're getting into biking for sport or you're cycling on busy city streets, we're here to tell you the intensity levels go way up. Checking tire pressure, wearing appropriate clothing, and knowing how to safely navigate a new environment are all vital parts of a great ride.
We talked to Bike New YorkYouth Programs Manager Zoe Cheswick and Education Volunteer Manager Fran Hays to get the scoop on biking's most important basics.
Being safe on your bike is about more than just wearing a helmet.
Even though you're on two wheels instead of four, there are still rules of the road that you have to know or you could be a danger to yourself or others. "Find out where you need to be in your lane, be properly equipped with gear, and use hand signals," says Hays.
Brighter and tighter is best when it comes to clothing.
Serious gear is for intense bikers, right? Wrong! Even biking to school and back takes outfit consideration. "Wear light, vibrant colors in the dark," suggests Cheswick. "And wear clothes that fit close to your body so they won't get caught in the chain. Flowy skirts are not recommended for bike riding!" The biggest biker trick? "A lot of people roll up one leg of their pants, especially on the side where the crank or chain is so that they don't get caught and dirty."
Your bike doesn't have to break the bank.
It's a big-ticket purchase, so go into the process with care and caution. Because the same set of wheels can last for years, you want to choose wisely! "It really depends on what type of riding you're going to do—don't let somebody sell you something you don't need or that you're not going to use," says Cheswick. "That means you _don't _ have to go with the most expensive option." Good news! According to Cheswick, all you have to do ish*t the local bike shop and tell them you want something that fits your style and height—they can set you up with just the right thing.
**There are actually three different types of bikes. **
This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are certain bikes for specific types of riding, and you have to select what fits best for your lifestyle. Here's what you have to work with: "A road or track bike (something that's fast with skinny tires), a mountain bike (sturdy with big, thick tires), and a hybrid that's something in between," explains Hays.
You do need to knowa little bit about bike maintenance.
It's all fun and games until someone gets a flat, and unfortunately there's no AAA for biking. Make sure you can handle (literal!) bumps in the road. "Start with an ABC quick check, a simple pass/fail for your bike to know if it's road-worthy," says Cheswick. "A stands for 'air,' B is for 'break,' and the C stands for 'chain and crank.'" Those are things you really want to check before you go out on rides." For easy instructions—and lots of other biking advice—visitthe League of American Bicyclists.
