I have been biking a lot this spring to get around the city and commute to work.  I have two bikes, a Novara Strada road bike I purchased from REI in 2005 and a 1974 Schwinn cruiser I purchased from craigslist in 2007.  The Schwinn has not been out yet….it is too heavy and slow.

 Road Etiquette

 I take liberties on a bike that I could not do with a car.  I admittedly blow stop signs and roll red lights if no one is coming.  When I hop back in my car to drive, there are times I almost forget I am not on my bike, and catch myself right before driving through a red light. I know it sounds terrible, but its true

 Awareness

 I find it interesting that on my bike, I am ultra aware.  I know cracks on every street, and notice broker glass, cars, pedestrians from hundreds of yards away.  When I am driving, I sometimes don’t know what direction I am heading or what street I am on.  My point is our cars make us oblivious and allow us to feel VERY Safe.

 Commute

 I currently commute about 20 miles each way.

Car commute

• Miles: 20 mile drive (each way)
• Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes 
• Advantages: NPR, morning talk radio, heated seats 
• Disadvantages: traffic headaches 
• Cost: ~$150 per month in gas 
• Breakfast and coffee consumed in the car 

Bike/Train commute (12 miles of biking per day)

• Miles: Bike 3 miles , train 15 miles, Bike 3 miles (each way)
• Time: 1 hour door to door 
• Advantages: 25 minutes to myself on the train, heart rate up twice a day, a beer on the way home when needed
• Disadvantages: occasionally sweaty 
• Cost: ~$100 per month on train tickets 
• Breakfast and coffee consumed on the train

 Tips and things to pack

•  Pack gloves— your hands get cold 
• Carry an old bike tube cut in half—used to secure bike to seat in the train (required) 
• Work on your whistle— can notify drivers to your presence 
• Some people just don’t get it—For example the 75-year-old grandma who flipped me the bird last week and told me to “get on the damn sidewalk”