I had a bike when I was a little kid, drove it to school in 5th grade. On the day of a field trip, I was running late and didn't lock it up. So it got stolen.
I had a bike when I was in college and didn't use it much because there are too many hills in downtown Spartanburg. But I parked it outside my dorm during the summer. I didn't have a lock yet which was okay because not many students were around in the summer. True, but random bike-thieving-Spartanburgers were prowling the campus. So it got stolen.
Now I am living in Austria and using a bike for a second time. I'm not a pro but I am slowly learning by experience the rules Austrians are probably taught as children. My bike WILL NOT get stolen this time (knock on wood).
Here are the lessons so far:
1) Have a functioning bike light (in cool countries like Austria this is a law, but people in America aren't cool like that yet for some reason)
2) Wear something around your pants legs at the bottom so you aren't a distracted driver worrying about your pants getting oily or hung in the chain.
3) Use a helmet, you just never know when you will need it. And it could provide a bit of warmth on a cold day.
4) Assume that vehicles don't see you and proceed very cautiously. I like to make eye contact with the driver just so I know we are on the same page.
Assume the worst or most bizarre possibilities when biking. Take number 4 as an example. When going in front of a car, you may be at the perfect angle of their blind spot. When following a car, they may rarely look in the mirror and then miss seeing you from behind. In this case stay really, REALLY far back! You never know when this car or truck or van will decide it actually wants to drive in reverse.
Just picture the scene on a cold dark November morning. A van up ahead is getting out of a parallel parking spot. You slow down as you watch it back up and then drive forward out of its spot. Instead of doing what you assumed (drive forward) it begins to back up and the space between the two of you is getting smaller and smaller, because YOU are still moving forward! Most bikes don't drive in reverse (anyone want to tell me WHY?). Your hands are gripping the handlebar, so they can't quickly grab the breaks. But why would stopping behind the van while it is backing up toward you be a good idea? Your hands also won't make it to ring the bell either. But what car driver with their windows rolled up and Mariah Carey christmas songs playing will hear your bell anyway.
So the only thing left to do is get out of the road. Thank goodness there is a patch of grass to the right. When falling, make sure you propel your entire body off the road. Its okay if the bike doesn't make it all the way with you. The van will probably drive over it, think the tire was your leg and then be really concerned when making sure all is well. You might be sore from the fall for a few days, but take your bike to the nearest fix-it shop. And all will be good as new.
More lessons to come... how to greet people from other cultures.
