BikeDC

“Dear PoPville,

I am a cyclist. I started riding my bike again with the advent of the AIDS Rides in the mid 1990’s, successfully completing two rides from Raleigh, NC so I don’t really hate bicyclists. I just don’t like the ones who have recently come of age. When I trained and rode my bicycle frequently, I followed the rules of the road. If there was a stop sign, I stopped. A red light, I stopped. If I can’t keep up with the posted speed, I get on the sidewalk. When you compete with a three ton vehicle. The vehicle wins even if the vehicle is wrong.

But on Monday evening as I drove home, I came across the guy that embodies the poor behavior of so many cyclists now. I approached a stop sign at 24th and I Streets, NW. Cars were stacked up on my right, and the car on my left could not go due to the traffic, so I proceeded through the intersection. This male cyclist blows through the stop sign on my right. I blew my horn and slowed so I would not hit him and proceeded thorough to the next stop sign. He then circles back to me as I am waiting at the second stop sign for pedestrians to pass and begins yelling and screaming at me. I have no idea what he was saying, didn’t really care, I was waiting to go through the intersection. The guy now reaches through my open window and punches me in the arm.

I was stunned and shocked…I then started to call 911, but realized he would be long gone before they got there. So I snapped the photo above. There is a complaint filed with MPD for this guy for Simple Assault.

It is cyclists like this guy who make people sick to death of cyclists.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

A couple weeks ago we learned that “Metro Transit Police launch free online bike registration to help reduce theft”. You can register your bike here. Last night @MetroTransitPD tweeted a reminder and an extra tip:

“Park your bike at Metro? Be sure to register for free. Also, we recommend using TWO U-locks to protect it. #WMATA”

Does anyone use two u locks?

Photo by PoPville flickr user JRoseC

The following was written by Biking around Town’s Josh Nadas (@dcliterate). Josh is a daily bike commuter & avid rider who lives in Mount Pleasant.

How to size a bike

When I worked at the bike shop, my old boss used to say that a bike that does not fit you isn’t worth a nickel. I agree, so here are some techniques to help you quickly identify if a bike fits you or not. One important measure is: can you stand over the bike comfortably? Ideally, you want about an inch of clearance. You can measure this by straddling the top tube of the bike with your feet flat on the ground. Grab the seat with one hand and with the other grab the stem (the part that holds the handlebars) and gently lift the bike underneath you. Look down or have a friend look down to see how much clearance is under the tires. If you have an inch or less, that’s a good sign. If there is more than an inch, the bike may be too small. If you can’t lift the bike or worse, if standing over the bike hurts, it may be too big.

This is an important measure because when you get on and off the bike, you need plenty of clearance. Think about a quick stop where you hop off the bike, you would not want to land on the top tube. That would be painful. So, make sure you can clear the top tube, without having too much clearance. That’s an indication of a decent fit.

The next important measure of a bike is length. This depends a lot more on the type of bike (mountain, road, hybrid…) and it’s hard to give good universal advice. Additionally, you can “fit” length a little bi with stem and seat adjustments. One indicator of a good fit on a road, mountain, or fitness bike is that your back is at a 45 degree angle. It’s helpful to take a test ride and have someone else look at you ride, or take a picture of you riding. Additionally, pay attention to how comfortable riding is during your test ride. If the bike is comfortable, then that’s a good indication. The longer you can go on a test ride, the better, you’ll get the best sense of how the bike feels. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user mixedeyes

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been thinking of getting into bicycle “touring” which I’m not even is the right word for it – Basically I’m looking to put on some spandex and ride 60 miles like the folks in Rock Creek Park every weekend but have absolutely zero knowledge of where to start.

An obvious step is to a bike store and talk with folks there, but before looking into a bicycle purchase I wanted to learn more and maybe experience it first. (Buying a bike can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars which is quite a commitment for something I have never done.)

Are there any riding clubs here in DC that offered advice to beginners, rent bikes (do we do that here?), will let newbies along on rides, etc. Years ago I remember hearing about a DC bike club that had an online calendar of beginners sessions/classes and searching has led me to nowhere.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

From WMATA:

“Metro Transit Police (MTPD) today launched a free online registration program for riders who park their bikes at Metro facilities as part of the department’s ongoing effort to reduce bike theft.

Starting today, riders can visit wmata.com/registerbike to sign up. To submit a registration, riders will need their bike’s make, model, serial number, color and frame size.

To promote the new registration program, MTPD will host a special outreach event Wednesday morning at Vienna Station where riders who register their bike on the spot will receive a free U-Lock while supplies last. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user katiecampbell

“Dear PoPville,

I’m wondering what people think about biking shirtless. I have a 6 mile commute and am not looking forward to biking home in 90+ degree heat. I understand bike jerseys are good for this but I’ve always avoided buying biking gear. I don’t want to dress like a middle aged Lance Armstrong wannabee. I wonder if there is any consensus on biking shirtless. I wouldn’t be doing it to show off or anything, it’s just hot. Ultimately I guess I’ll do it if I feel like it but I want to know if I’ll be offending everyone I pass?”