Bicycle Illinois - Illinois’ Bicycle Touring Company

Gas prices have been going up very quickly, and the impact has been
quite serious to many families. Many have gone from scraping by to
having money trouble, or doing pretty well to just scraping by. It’s
pretty rough out there.

This is why bicycling to work is increasing in popularity. Bicycles
are relatively cheap, and if you live within a reasonable bike ride to
your work it can be very practical as well as healthy.

It may seem odd to many to think of riding to work, but there are a few tricks to make it more reasonable.

First, is your commute reasonable? This is a personal decision. For
some 5 miles each way may be a maximum. Others may be willing to go 10
or more miles by bicycle to work.

Second, find out where at work you can keep your bicycle. While many
employers will probably not have a bike rack available, you may get
permission to store your bike someplace where you work. All you need is
a place that’s a bit out of everyone else’s way. Talk to your boss.

Third, decide how you’re going to transport your work clothes. Most
people don’t want to ride their bikes in the clothing they’d wear to
work; it’s too easy to sweat in those. But you can fold your clothes
neatly into a backpack and change at work. If you’re careful about it
the wrinkles should not be severe. Think about clothes that resist
wrinkling but still look professional.

Fourth, think about what kind of weather you are willing to ride in.
The weather won’t be perfect year-round just about anywhere. How will
you cope with pouring rain? 100+ degree F weather? Does it snow in your
area? Obviously some days will be much harder than others for riding a
bike.

Will you need more than a bike?

You will want some basic equipment that you may or may not own
already. A bicycle helmet is vital. Not all car drivers care to watch
out for bicyclists, and I do know people whose lives have likely been
saved by their bike helmets. The most recent case was used to show my
niece what could happen if she didn’t wear her helmet. A helmet all but
split into pieces and a rider only lightly injured is a great object
lesson.

Other equipment may or may not be needed. If you’re going to be
riding at dusk or night, a front and rear light is a very good idea.
You do not want to be invisible. You’ll also need regular maintenance
on your bike to keep it in good condition.

And if you need to carry equipment to work, you’re going to need
something for carrying it. It may be the backpack you carry your change
of clothes in or a pannier for your bicycle.

Don’t forget a backup plan.

While you may hope to ride to and from work daily, sometimes a
change in the weather may make it impossible to get home on your bike.
Some places get rather sudden changes in the weather that you may not
want to deal with.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to have a coworker who
is willing to take you home. Or public transportation may be a
practical option. You may even be able to have your spouse come get you
if the weather is too bad. Whatever your solution is, plan it out in
advance so you aren’t struggling to figure it out when the need is
urgent.

Riding a bike to work can result in significant monthly savings and
help you to keep fit. As gas prices make it more painful to fill up
your car, this option may greatly simplify your life.

Annually, about half a million bicycle related injuries occur. In
addition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, a bicyclist is killed approximately every six hours.
However, most bicycle crashes are predictable and preventable by using
proper precautions on the part of bicyclists and motorists.

Types of Bicycle Crashes

Falls and Collisions

Over 50 percent of bike crashes are the result of falls. Falls
commonly occur either when the front wheel suddenly stops moving or
when the rear wheel slides out. The front wheel can stop if it falls
into a road defect, such as a crack or drain grate, or if the front
brakes are applied very hard. Rear wheels can skid out when turning on
gravel, sand, ice, metal surfaces, or any slippery surface.

After falls, the most frequent type of bike accidents are collisions
with a stationary object, such as trees. Falls and collisions with
fixed objects account for about 75 to 80 percent of all bicycle crashes.

Car-Bicycle Crashes

Car-bike crashes account for between about ten to 15 percent of
bicycle accidents but result in the largest number of fatalities. Most
of these accidents occur when either the bicyclist or the motorist is
turning or crossing at an intersection or driveway. Other car-bike
crashes occur when the bicyclist is not obeying traffic laws and is
cycling on the wrong side of the road or running red lights.

Bicycle Crash Injuries

Injuries from bicycle crashes are most often to the limbs, and
include fractures, abrasions, and lacerations. Fractures account for
about 25 percent of bike crash injuries, and facial injuries account
for about one third of injuries. The most severe and disabling injuries
are brain injuries, which can result in a permanent disability. Head
injuries are also more likely to be fatal.

What To Do When In a Bike-Car Crash

To the extent possible and practical to avoid further accidents or injuries after a bicycle crash, do the following:

* Do not move if you are seriously injured. Wait for medical help.

* Accept medical help, even if you do not feel severely injured.

* Wait for the police so an accident report can be filed with
statements from witnesses, and the at-fault driver, and the crash scene
investigated.

* Leave damaged property and equipment as it was until police arrive.

* Contact a personal injury lawyer who understands bicycling.

Bicycle Safety and Crash Prevention

Not surprisingly, helmets can protect again head injuries, both
brain injuries and upper facial injuries. Studies show that about 75
percent of bicyclists who were severely brain injured were not wearing
helmets. To provide proper protection, helmets must be fitted correctly.

Although helmets can protect against head injury, they do not
protect from getting hit by cars. To help prevent personal injury,
bicyclists must use common sense and remain alert when cycling on roads
to avoid crashes with cars. Although drivers should be more attentive
to the presence of bicyclists, the odds of injury favor the bicyclist.
This is why it is so important to follow some basic common sense
prevention guidelines which include:

* Follow the law and ride on the right side of road; stop at stop
signs and red lights; use a headlight at night (also beneficial in the
day).

* Avoid stopping in the blind spot of a car at a red light. You can be hit if it turns right and you go straight.

* Use a bell or horn to signal or alert drivers of your presence.

* Use a headlight and a rear light, especially at night.

* Use a mirror to glance at traffic behind, especially when approaching intersections.

* Be attentive and alert to the cars. Watch for left turning cars
crossing in front that may not see you, and pay attention to parked
cars for which a door may open.

* Slow down so you can stop quickly if necessary.

* Avoid riding on sidewalks.

* Avoid busy streets, especially as a novice rider.

If you have been injured in a bike crash, you may be eligible for
compensation. Contact an experienced bike accident attorney for more
information on a potential bike injury claim.

No one would ever argue that having a baby doesn’t change every
single facet of your life. There are big changes like the time and life
energy it takes to care for another human being and there are the small
ones, like cleaning applesauce out of your hair, that add up over time.

One of the most important things parents can do is make sure that
the fun healthy things they do in their lives don’t fall by the
wayside. When you aren’t taking good care of yourself it becomes even
harder to care for someone else. To help new parents maintain their
usual level of activity and outdoor joys there are tools available so
you can have your fun and be with your child at the same time.

Take a Jog

Many parents remark that their morning jog was one of the few times
in their day when they got to be alone. However once they get a jogging
stroller and take their baby on the trail the jog is actually twice as
fun. Physicians recommend you wait until your baby is 6 months old
before using a jogging stroller because it takes that long for a baby’s
muscles to support its spine.

Jogging strollers come in many shapes, colors and sizes. One of the
most highly recommended ones is the BOB Ironman Sport Utility Stroller.
A rugged wheel mount can handle uneven pathways or trails and the
bright yellow canopy and netting makes sure to protect your child from
all the elements. It also has a 5 point strapping device to ensure the
baby’s safety in turns or stops.

Take a Hike

Every parent knows that the one thing a baby wants more than
anything it to close to its parent. Being held, cuddled and comforted
by touch is incredibly important to a child’s development. The baby
backpack, a product originally made for hiking, is now being used by
parents through their day as well as on a trail.

The back pack has the ability to let the parent “hold” the child but
at the same time have hands free for cooking or any other household
chore. It also gives the baby something to look at other than ankles
and chair legs. The Ergo Baby Carrier is a perfect example of a good
baby back pack. It can be carried in the front or on the back, is
frameless and lightweight and is even designed to allow discreet
nursing. Don’t let your baby spend their whole life indoors, take them
on a trail.

Try a Bike

Bicycling is a favorite sport and exercise for many people, however
once a baby enters their life it is hard to imagine ever getting to
ride again. Baby bicycle seats have been on the market for years but
many parents would not use them until the child was toddler age because
of safety concerns. Today there is a new option that allows parents to
take their baby with them as they ride. The baby trailer is a
lightweight wheeled extension that hooks up behind the bike, and like a
baby strollers is covered, padded and belted for child safety. The baby
trailer also has a movable axle so if the bike should fall over the
trailer stays on its wheels. The Burley Company makes several types of
trailers for everything from off-road biking to city touring. You and
your child can see the sights together.

Having a baby will take the time and energy you used to use for
other things. But there is no reason to sit in the house all day and
let others enjoy the world. Get your baby on board and get going!