May 30 2007
It helps to have friends
Whether riding or maintaining your bike, you have support.
Someone recently asked me to write an article on how to fix a flat tire and another on how to bike commute. I thought about if for a few minutes and then realized that reading an article on how to fix a flat would pale in comparison to learning it hands-on. And I knew commuting would make a better conversation than an article. So with that in mind, here are some resources where you can find people to help you be more confident riding a bike, fixing a bike, finding a good bike route, choosing equipment or whatever other bike question you may have.
Fixing a bike: For this, I think a hands-on experience is the best. I find it helps students remember what they learned, especially if it is done on their own bike. If you are new to the sport, start with learning how to maintain your bike so it doesn’t break down on the road. Learn what to check before you ride. Then focus on the simple roadside repairs that can keep you riding rather than walking back. Ask your local bike shop if they offer these. Several of them do and they are done in different formats so check around. You can also check out www.TheBicycleWorkshop.com (yes, that is a shameless plug for my own bike school!) and find a class there.
Riding a bike: The Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) is the leader in offering riding classes throughout the state. These classes are top notch and modeled on the national cycling standards. You can start with their website at www.bikemaine.org. A less formal approach is to connect with the local bike group, Portland Maine Bicycle Commuting, which is gaining members through a website-based message board. Their home page is at bike.meetup.com/132. They are folks who commute by bike or want to try and, among other things, get together periodically to exchange ideas or offer guest speakers and such. Another option is to check the listing of the shops or cycling clubs that offer weekly group rides. The Casco Bay Bike Club comes to mind (www.cascobaybicycleclub.org) and the complete list is on the BCM website.
Commuter support: If you are truly commuting, you’ll want to sign up with Go Maine (www.gomaine.org). This is a statewide program that offers carpool matches, vanpools and bike commuting support. As a bike commuter you can take advantage of the “Guaranteed Ride Home,” which will provide taxi or car rental reimbursement if you get stuck. You can’t beat that! It’s the same service they offer to folks in carpools and vanpools.
So if you are feeling like you want to hit the road riding, you don’t have to go it alone.
Erik West is a certified bicycle riding instructor and mechanic, who teaches alternative transportation for the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and The Bicycle Workshop. He generally has his nose in most things related to promoting pollution-free transportation in Maine.
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