Cycling during a Pandemic

During this unprecedented time of uncertainty, there is one certainty—cycling makes sense!  Whether you are riding to work, the grocery store, to a restaurant for take-out, or just for some exercise, riding a bike allows you to avoid crowded buses and subways, touch fewer public surfaces, and ditch the car.  Now that that it is Springtime, it is great to be outdoors!
 
Guidelines recommend solo riding, or if with others, to keep a reasonable distance. 

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 If you are new to cycling in the city, with less people out and about, it is actually a good time to be cycling on the streets.  Here are some tips:

• Equipment - Whether you have a bike of your own or use a bike share system, like Divvy, make sure your bike is ride ready
  • Make sure the tires are inflated to the pressure noted on the side of the rubber
  • Adjust the saddle so that when seated on your bike, your knee is just slightly bent when your pedal is closest to the ground
  • For safety sake, wear a helmet, and use front and rear lights during the day and night
• Route – Active transportation publishes a bike map with recommended routes for cycling.  Google Maps is another source.  In general, chose streets with protected bike lanes, stripped bike lanes, bike routes, or one-way residential streets (just be careful at intersections because some autos do not stop)
• Follow traffic law – bicycles are required to follow the same rules of the road as autos, including stopping at traffic signals, yielding to pedestrians, riding with traffic, and staying off the sidewalk. 
• See visible and predictable – Single your intentions verbally or with a bell, and with hand signals 

If you are an experienced cyclist, now is a good time to check your equipment, so your bike is finely tuned and lubricated.  Having a backpack or panniers will enable you to carry your groceries and take-out.   In Illinois bike shops are considered essential services so help is just around the corner.