Commuter Biking and Other Ways to Save Transport Costs

With the rising price of gas, diesel and other fuels, many people are now turning to biking as a good way of getting around their local area and even getting to work. Many workplaces are jumping on the bandwagon and offering incentives to their employees who are willing to give up the car even a few days per week and either bike or take public transit into the office.

Of course, many people have fallen out of the habit of biking and, may have never even considered jumping on their bike to go to work or school. There are quite a few mistakes that people are likely to make when first starting out, such as purchasing a bike that doesn’t suit their needs or spending way too much.

While many bikes sold for sport, such mountain bikes are not really suitable for road biking in most cities. They tend to lack the amenities that are taken for granted with getting a bike in Europe. Commuter bicycles are made with softer, rounded tires that are suited for hugging roads rather than hilltops. They are also usually equipped with bells, lights, kickstands, baskets, a chain guard and fenders.

Making sure your bike isn’t stolen is also very important. Cars may come with locks, but it’s up to you to keep your ride safe when you’re out on biking trips. Though it is far more common now to see racks to chain your bike to than it was even a few years ago, many places are more interested in creating parking spots for cars.

Assuming you can find a reasonably safe place, be sure you invest in a good lock. While there will still be a few determined people that can get through the best locks, if you can’t take your bike in with you somewhere, you can at least be reasonably certain that most people won’t bother a bike locked up in plain sight.

Commuter Biking and Your Road Rules

Learning the rules of the road are also part of safe commuter biking. While you certainly are entitled to a whole lane, and you don’t have to cling to the side whenever a car comes up behind you, it is also required that you signal and ride on the street. Sidewalks are actually more dangerous places for bikes, especially now that more and more people are out walking. You may not ride your bike when drunk, either.

While this hasn’t been very safe in recent years, many municipalities are putting in bike trails and bike lanes that make it much safer to get around, though it is still very important road biking not claim your life. It’s still more dangerous to get in a car and drive around, but you should always be on the lookout for low-traffic routes. While they may not be the shortest route between points, such side street biking adventures are far safer and nicer to enjoy.

In some cities you’ll need to have a helmet. It’s also often required and always a good idea to have lights. This should include a flashing LED lamp that you can clip to what ever is on your back end and most visible. You will probably want to invest in a lamp that will actually light the way for you, especially if you live in a suburban area with less light density.

Biking is not only a great way to save money on your transport, but you can also chuck your membership to the gym. When you get in the habit of making regular biking trips to work and entertainment, you’ll be getting a good workout in, too. You’ll have a chance to enjoy the seasons, especially if you invest in some good clothes to keep inclement weather off. An old biking maxim in milder parts of the country is, “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothes.” Both wool and synthetics are appropriate.

Bike maintenance involves keeping the chain lubricated and dealing with the occasional flat tire. With all the money you’ll be saving on gas, auto maintenance and insurance, you’ll be able to pay someone in your local area a modest fee to do the maintenance for you on a regular schedule.

Many people combine a bus pass with biking when they decide to give up the car. However, you don’t have to give up your car to enjoy the considerable savings that using a bike can offer you when the price of gas closes in on $5/gal ($1.30/L).

Biking is also a good choice for families that want to get out and get some exercise in the neighborhood. You can use this as an excuse to patronize the local economy, visiting nearby restaurants and getting groceries from the local co-op or farmers’ market.

Other related modes of transport include skateboarding, ride sharing, car sharing and using highly efficient vehicles. Scooters, motorcycles and hyper-efficient smart cars are all becoming increasingly popular options for saving on transport costs. But, few are as elegant and problem-free as the biking.

Recumbent Bikes Provides Exercise For Seniors

Recumbent bikes are increasing in popularity as they are great for exercise for seniors. Many seniors think they can no longer ride a bike, especially if they have physical limitations or are not quite as spry as they used to be. This is really not the case, though, now that recumbent bikes are increasingly popular. They are available in a variety of styles, many of which are especially well suited for the unique needs of seniors.

Recumbent Bikes Basics

Recumbent bikes are different from regular bikes because instead of sitting up high with your feet and legs pedaling underneath you, the bike allows you to sit more comfortably as if in a chair that leans slightly backward. Your feet and legs extend out in front of you and the pedaling movement is front to back rather than up and down as on a regular bike.

Seniors find recumbent bikes easier to use because of the relatively easy and relaxed seating position. If balance is a problem then a recumbent tricycle is an excellent alternative. Regardless of whether you choose a recumbent bicycle or tricycle, you will be probably be happiest if you invest in one that has at least some sort of suspension on the front and rear wheels. A padded seat is very nice as well; some manufacturers are now offering recumbent bikes and trikes with seats that are practically like recliners with their level of comfort.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Recumbent Bikes

There are a great number of advantages to riding on a recumbent bike, such as:

• Comfort – Between the comfortable seat and the reclining position, riding a recumbent bike is easier on your body and can be done for longer periods of time. Muscle strains and other pains are reduced quite a bit, thanks again to the reclining position.

• Safety – Because recumbent bikes are lower to the ground, if you should take a tumble you are much less likely to get a serious injury. There just isn’t nearly as great of a distance to fall. Also, the recumbent position makes braking and stopping much easier and quicker.

• Visibility while riding – Most seniors find it much easier to see where they are going and maintain good visibility while riding because instead of trying to hold their necks up like on a regular bike, they are already seated and facing forward with a wide range of sight.

• Customization – Recumbent bikes are extremely customizable, more so than a regular bike. You can specify the reclining angle of the seat, the width and padding of the seat, the length of the wheelbase, the shocks and suspension, and even a windshield to help protect from wind and rain.

Along with these advantages, of course, there are disadvantages to recumbent bikes as well. These include:

• Balance and stability – A regular recumbent bicycle take a bit more practice to master the balance and stability. Because you sit much lower to the ground it is more difficult to establish a balance and at slow speeds it is harder to keep the bike stable. This is why many seniors prefer riding a recumbent tricycle instead.

• Visibility while riding – While the rider has greater visibility on a recumbent bike, people in cars and other vehicles find it much harder to see a recumbent bike going down the street. Again, this is due to the low position relative to the ground. A good way to increase visibility is to attach a tall, flexible, and bright flag to the frame of the bike.

• Maneuverability – The longer wheelbase of a recumbent bike means the turning radius is larger than a traditional bike and the maneuverability is reduced. You have to take this into account when judging distances and safe areas to ride.

• Cost – A recumbent bike can cost as much as 20% to 50% more than a standard upright bike. For many seniors, though, the higher price is well worth it for the increased comfort and ridability.

Great Option and Exercise For Seniors

The bottom line when it comes to recumbent bikes is that they can be a really great option for seniors who want to be active but can’t ride a regular upright bike. They allow the rider to be more comfortable and ride for longer periods of time, which in turn contributes to better health and fitness levels.

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