Bicycle rules of the road

The nice weather in the Northwest means that more bicyclists are on the road.

Here's a link to some good bicycle rules of the road.

Read them and make sure you abide by them to stay safe.

(This is from Just Northwest)

Bike event for October 17

Looking for something to do on Saturday? Well check out this:

Cascade Bike Club and the Tacoma Wheelmen are doing a good looking event in Tacoma on the 17th (a Saturday).

It will include a workshop on cycling advocacy, a bike tour of Tacoma, and of course bike oriented drinks. What can you do to improve bicycling in Tacoma and throughout Washington? Join Cascade Bicycle Club and the Tacoma Wheelmen on Sat., Oct. 17 for a workshop on bike advocacy.

We'll discuss how we can use our clout to demand better facilities and just laws for bicyclists. Also, the outcome of the bicycle and pedestrian count, and how the data we collect on bicycling is crucial to our safety as bicyclists. Together, we'll strategize on making a difference in Tacoma and working together for better state laws and federal funding of trails and other facilities.

Schedule:

10am - 1pm: Workshop at the Tacoma Main Library,
1pm - 3pm: Bike tour of Tacoma with bicycle planners and special guests (stay tuned for details!) 3pm - eve.: Meet at the Harmon HUB for drinks

Fashion Rules of the Road

It's Bike to Work Week and yesterday I explained bike safety on the road. Today, I'm going to tell you about the Top 10 Fashion Rules of the Road for bikers. Here we go:

1. If you think you look good in spandex, chances are you don't. If you aren't in "bike riding shape" then please, do us all a favor and stay away.

2. While riding, do not make "vroom, vroom" sounds.

3. The 90's killed the neon colors. Biking brought them back.

4. Don't wear those sperm shaped helmets. They are designed for racing and time trials, not for riding your bike to the store.

5. If you wear the full body biking suits, loose the underwear. Don't want underwear lines. (Also, no banana hammocks while biking)

6. Speaking of store, if you're bike has a basket on it (and there are daisies in it) and you're not a 12 year old girl, then don't ride that bike. Sorry Brandon. Now you have to buy a new bike.

7. Huge calves are in.

8. In biking, velcro shoes are cool. In the mall, they are not.

9. Before you drop the $200 on the Livestrong jersey, make sure you like riding.

10. Don't wear striped socks, bowler hat and knickerbockers. That style died when the high wheel bike did too.

Epic Video: Portland's bike signals

Portland's Office of Transportation (PDOT) goes the extra mile to accommodate cyclists. Rex Burkholder, the Metro Counsellor and founder of the the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), explains how to operate this bike signal placed at a potentially hazardous intersection for cyclists. The light gives riders a dedicated signal to maximize safety and the convenience of having to wait thru only one signal pattern.