Mycycle-Sac Principles

Dream Big. Live Small. Do Good – this site is dedicated in memory of Jason Presley’s passion for bringing together the Sacramento community

Environmental Sustainability -- do your part to reduce your carbon footprint

Economic Sustainability -- save on gas and support a cost-effective method of transport

Social Sustainability -- remember there are many in our community who cannot own or operate a vehicle, and that fewer cars = safer streets for all

“10% by 2010” – make a personal pledge to dedicate 1 in every 10 trips by bicycle and the region can achieve a 10% bicycle mode share by 2010!

Post a comment on how you plan to do 10% by 2010, or a simple “I’m in!” so we can measure our progress!

Step 1 -- Getting a Bike

I often hear from friends and colleagues that they don't ride a bike, because they don't own one. For some reason, there is a strong misconception that buying the right bike will involve taking out a loan. Many people have the notion that to become a cyclist you need to spend a grand on a shiny, new bike -- not too mention buy all the fancy accessories and colorful bike jerseys to go with it. Rest assure there are many bikes for many people and you'll find that whether you want to race through the city in padded shorts or tote around town in a skirt, there is surely a bike for you!

Buying a bike can cost you as little as a few fill-ups at the gas station or as much as your pocket can afford. Here's some questions to help guide you in the bike purchasing process....I think you'll find that buying a bike is really no different than the thought process that goes into buying a car (but a lot cheaper and more sustainable!!)

1) What do I want to use my bike for?

• Recreational rides along the American River Bike Trail
• Grocery shopping
• Town trips to coffee shops, restaurants, pubs
• Commuting to work
• Taking on the train/bus
• Showing off to all my friends ;-)
  

Once you decide what your primary purpose is for you bike, you'll be able to decide what kind of bike you may want to buy

2) So what kind of bikes are out there?

Lightweight Racing Bike (drop-down handle bars and thin tires)
Ideal for long, recreational or commute trips

Mountain Bike (straight handle bars and nobby tires)
Well, mountain biking of course, but also a good (and slower!) bike for around town

Hybrid/Commuting Bike (straight handle bars and thin tires)
Ideal for medium-long commute trips; take city potholes well

Cruiser Bike (sits upright, very comfortable)
Great around the town bike, and particularly nice for riding with skirts

Fixed-Gear Bike
Popular bikes in flat areas such as Sac

3) What should I buy with the bike?

A helmet and front/rear lights are really the only necessity for shorter trips around town. For longer or recreational rides, some accessories might include padded shorts, breathable jersey, clipless pedals and shoes/cleats

4) Where should I purchase?

• Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen -- build/buy a cheap used bike
  
• Local Bike Shops -- get a new bike and all your accessories
• Craigslist -- generally a good selection, especially in November when bike touring companies sell their previous year rental fleet

Step 2 -- Riding a Bike

While you may think you know how to ride a bicycle, think again!

Did you know...

1. Bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and are subject to the same rules and regulations. Yes, that includes stopping at stop signs, obeying traffic signals, not bicycling under the influence, cycling on the right side of the road (with traffic), and not riding on sidewalks (unless you are in a residential area)
2. Learning a few basic "smart cycling tips" is easy and highly recommended (the BikeSac Wiki provides an overview on Riding in Traffic)
   
3. Bicycling is safe! Learn how to ride properly, and your chances for safely getting around are higher than being in a car

Check out these great bicycling tips/resources:

DMV's Safety Tips for Bicyclists and Motorists (order/pick up a brochure with pictures!)
Bicycling Education Courses: Instructors and Calendar
(greater Sacramento region)
California Vehicle Codes for Bicycling
You Tube: Rights and Duties of Cyclists
Community Bicycle Education Courses

Step 3 -- Fixing a Bike

Whether you want to learn how to fix a flat or build a whole bike there are resources out there!

REI Video Clip: How to Fix a Flat

Sacramento Food Co-op's Bike Maintenance Courses -- view each quarter to get updates

Advanced Bicycle Maintenance
Saturday, May 17, 3-5 pm
$5 donation to the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen
The Bicycle Kitchen mechanics are back with more information about your trusty bike. You will learn how to rip into your bottom bracket, tune your front and rear derailleurs, wheel truing philosophy, and much more. This is a great entrée to home bike maintenance. If you have a specific question about your bike, bring it with you.

Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen -- Build, repair, learn!

Step 4 -- Planning a Route

Visproservices (VPS) has created a simple one-page route planning guide to cycling in the Sacramento Region. Post a question on which route to take on the Bicycle Route Forum, create your own cycling route on Bikely, and view other routes which people have already mapped on the Bicycle Routes Directory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can also check out the Sacramento Area Council of Government's (SACOG) resources for finding a bicycling route: Bike Maps

Note that the information on many of these maps may be outdated. Stay tuned as SACOG develops an on-line bicycle trip planner that is based on cycling ability and can be used similar to mapquest or google maps! They are also developing more accurate maps for the entire Sacramento region over the next year.

Step 5 -- Think Globally, Act Locally

Get yourself and others involved!

Volunteer at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen
Get active with the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates
Contribute to the new BikeSac Wiki

In an effort to promote "car-free" and "car-less" lifestyles in Sacramento, I would like to encourage everyone to join in pestering Zipcar/Flexcar (two carsharing companies who recently merged) to bring their business to Sacramento before I have to start one myself!

Having a carsharing company in our community allows people to own fewer cars, if any at all, through a system where they provide a range of vehicles located in public parking spaces. You get a yearly membership, reserve a car for an hour or up to a day, and don't have to pay the cost of having your own vehicle.

Contact Zipcar/Flexcar at:
Email: info@zipcar.com
Phone: 866.4ZIPCAR (866.494.7227)

Tell them you want carsharing in Sacramento, and that there are public agencies and many individuals who would support it. Even a smaller-scale project would work!

In the meantime, check out Craigslist for ridesharing options