Daylight Saving & Being Seen at Night

(Disclaimer- we understand that not everyone is comfortable biking at night for various reasons, but we want to shed some light on safety when you do)

Daylight Saving is coming up this weekend and as you may have noticed, daylight is getting shorter.  What does this mean to you, as a biker? First and foremost- you must be visible. As a cyclists, you want motorists, other bikers, and pedestrians to see you. We wouldn't want you to abandon your bike for the San Diego winter because you feel ill prepared or even worse, you ride without proper equipment.

Think about this- when you are in a car at night, what are some of the signs that there is a bicyclist ahead on the road?

·      Blinking red light?

·      Pedal reflectors?

·      Ankle straps- reflective bands attached at ankle?

·      Reflectors- on the wheels or placed on the front or rear of the bike?

·      Reflective vest?

·      Headlight?

Thinking about these devices, it only makes sense that you would want to practice the same, so you can be visible. Sure, the more reflectivity you have on you and your bike will make you “that bike dork,” but you will be visible and that is the most important part about night riding with motorists around you.

In California (VC Section 21201), it is mandatory for bicyclists at night to have a minimum of-

·      A white front light from at least 300ft away

·      A red rear reflector

·      Pedal reflectors- or reflectivity built into cycling shoes or reflective ankle straps

·      Wheel reflectors- or reflective sidewalls on tires

At the bare minimum, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition recommends-

Front and rear lights, a reflective high visibility vest, reflective ankle straps, and wheel reflectors.  Some additional ways to increase visibility at night would be to install reflective tape to various points on your bike and helmet, additional lights (in the event that your primary lights fail), and eye wear to help navigate when facing oncoming motorist headlights.

The blinking red taillight is a great start to increase visibility. They are inexpensive, small, and really attract alertness from motorists. They should not be used as the sole component in night time riding visibility as they are just part of a larger package. A small taillight can be lost in a sea of lights found in an urban environment. One note, blinking lights are also very effective for visibility when riding during the day as well.  

Reflective ankle straps are a great visibility device as the up and down motions reflected back to the motorist are synonymous with a biker. The added benefit of the ankle straps is that they offer 360-degrees of reflectivity, compared to the limited scope of the pedal reflectors. They also keep your pants out of your chain and derailleur!

A high visibility, reflective vest is a large part of being seen at night. It provides the largest sections of reflectivity visible from all sides. It is also highly visible for day time riding. If you need any convincing about wearing a reflective vest, just drive past a road construction site at night and notice how visible reflective vests are. For the fashion conscious cyclists, there are options for vests, not just the standard mesh or the construction worker ones.

Where can you find this equipment? The best place to look is at your local bicycle shop. Talk to them about your needs and see what recommendations they offer, they should be informative about what is best for you and be able to outfit you. Otherwise, there is an internet full of sources for lights and reflective gear, and opinions. Remember, shop local when you can.

All of these recommendations are intended to make you more visible at night, but do not address illuminating your path at night to see obstacles and hazards. Nor do they address the differences in riding at night and practices that you must take to be safe. That will be in the next installments of Smart Ways to Bicycle.

County Residents Prove It’s Better By Bike Getting Around San Diego

Local panel divulges top tips and tricks to encourage family biking at San Diego’s first Bike Fiesta this Saturday (at new San Diego Central Library)

WHAT: At San Diego’s first Bike Fiesta, six residents from around the County will host an interactive panel to shatter the stereotype of “Minivan Moms” and the “Spandex Cyclist.” The panelists, composed of parents, small business owners and bike-lovers, will explain there is no excuse to prevent you and your family from getting around San Diego County via bicycle, especially during National Bike Month.

Additionally, the Bike Coalition plans to give away free children’s helmets to the first 50 kids at Bike Fiesta, courtesy of the Tony Hawk Foundation. 

WHO:

·     San Diego County Bicycle Coalition

·     Six local San Diegans who want to share how they’ve incorporating bicycling functionality, fashion and fun into their family lives:

o    Nicole Burgess- Bicycle Advocate and Mom from Ocean Beach.

o    Mariah VanZerr- City of Coronado Active Transportation Planner

o    Chris Taylor- Father, local attorney and passionate bicycle supporter in South Park.

o    Judi Tentor: Mission Hills resident living 100 percent car-free and with some of the best bike fashion in San Diego.

o    Laurel Graziano– Owner of Alterna Bikes in Solana Beach – a shop specializing in cargo bicycles.

o    Sandra Pimentel- Advocate and women’s riding expert 

·     Hundreds of community members and people who love bikes

·     Local bicycling companies including Tern, Performance Bicycles and Bikes del Pueblo

WHEN: Saturday, May 10, 2014, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

A schedule of Bike Fiesta activities include:

·     10:30 a.m. – Bike Commuting 101: Tips and tricks to bike to work smartly

·     Noon – Film Screening of bicycle film, “MASH”

·     1 p.m. – Family Riding Panel Discussion – Six people from San Diego County share tips and tricks for bicycling with kids, pets groceries – and looking good while doing it.

WHERE: San Diego Central Library – 330 Park Blvd, San Diego, 92101

WHY: May is National Bike Month, and in an effort to get folks of all ages and levels pedaling in San Diego, the Bike Coalition and other sponsors put together a few hours to inspire community members of all ages, lifestyles and experience to ride while celebrating all things bicycles. 

Top Safety Tips For Rural Bike Riding In San Diego County

by Derek Roach, guest blogger

San Diego’s diverse terrain and favored climate makes it an ideal place for bicyclists to ride.  A majority of San Diego’s cyclists take advantage of the designated lanes within the inner city. However, not too far from the urban setting – East County to be specific - riders can cruise the dirt trails and paths for a ride in the great, yet unpredictable outdoors.  As beautiful and serene as this environment can be, you can be introduced to potentially harmful obstacles or events that may not be found within the city.

To prepare for these unforeseen elements when out riding in the countryside , its best to apply the following procedures to avoid injury or discomfort while enjoying the wind on your face, the hum of your tire, and the splendor of East County San Diego.

Bike Safety Tips To Implement When In Rural Areas

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This is not a reminder to wear your helmet or keep your bicycle mechanics in top condition (you should already be doing this). These precautions are more specific to riding on San Diego roads and trails out east. Also, I am involved in removing bees so there is some emphasis on protection from bees and other insects – honeybees can create quite the ruckus.

Have A Bike Buddy

Venturing out to the adventurous trails in East County is nice change in scenery from the usual concrete jungle, but travelling too far from civilization introduces lots of the unknown. Riding with a partner will offer quick assistance if injured and keep you company while cruising – besides, being in the middle of nowhere can get lonely. But if you do decide to be a lone rider, at the very least tell a friend or family member of your route.

Carry An Epinephrine Injector

This is especially applicable when riding in nature, although you can encounter stinging insects and develop an allergic reaction in urban environments as well. If you are allergic or not sure it’s best to keep this handy medication dispenser on-hand to prevent severe allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock. The chemical inside an epinephrine injection helps narrow blood vessels and keep air passage ways open during an allergic reaction.

Plan Your Route

It’s easy to lose track of the distance travelled while touring America’s Finest City and its surrounding areas. The sights and sounds of the city or the serenity found towards inland territories may have you out riding longer than expected. Unless you’re headed in a circular route, remember the miles you trek out, are the same miles you have to trek in. So before heading out, set a designated route and stick closely to that path. Not only will it keep you from getting turned around, but help you with finding news areas to explore.  

Wear Your White Or Light Threads

Save the tye-dye or neon-colored shirts for the next racing event. Wearing light-colored clothes will not only help you stay cool in the few months of the year that it’s actually hot in San Diego, it will keep you from attracting bugs that have you confused for something else. Plus, no one wants a bug trapped between their skin and garments.

Use Caution Going Downhill

San Diego is far from flat, coastal and inland terrain alike will have some elevated spots. So when descending steep trenches, follow this procedure to avoid skidding: stand on pedals, stay low, lean back to transfer weight to the rear of the bicycle, and apply brakes with more pressure on the back brake.  Try not to use your breaks in gravel or loose dirt. Putting the center of gravity towards the rear of the bike will allow you to get down hills safely.

Correctly Removing & Treating Stings

In the unlikely case – if you followed the above tips – you are stung by a bee, there is a four-step process to get you back on your bike quickly. Here is a visual guide to demonstrate how to properly treat a bee sting. It’s understandable that you have limited supplies while out riding, so you can use substitutes in place of the items mentioned in the guide.

For example, you can clean the affected area with some water from your water bottle. After cleaning, apply the side of the water bottle to the sting to reduce any swelling. Most importantly, remember to scrape the stinger off immediately with a flat edge – fingernails work fine.

No matter where you’re riding or for what purpose, have these tips in mind to create a safe and memorable biking experience with all San Diego County has to offer. Just remember, always be attentive, prepared, and ride with a partner – then you should be just fine.