TIPS FOR BIKE USE IN CANBERRA

SECURITY

Don't leave your bike anywhere unlocked and never leave it in Civic over-night especially on the weekends as there is a high probability that it will be vandalised (it is common to have wheels bent into "taco shell" shapes and parts removed by drunk night-clubbers on their way home - some people think this constitutes fun).  The longer you leave it unattended the more likely it is that something will happen to it.   After several days people assume it has been abandoned and will start scavenging parts off it.

If you are visiting a friend's house, take the bike onto the property and lock it up there rather than lock it up on the street.

When locking the bike, put the lock through both the wheels and the frame and around a tree or a tall post.

A bike secured by a cable lock to a street parking sign can be lifted up the pole and over the top of a parking sign, so if you have a long cable lock, wrap it around the wheels and the pole so that it is too short to fit over the sign at the top of the pole.  If you value your bike, you will need more than a cable lock.

The hardest locks to cut are the "D" locks.  The best solution is to use two locks:  a "D" lock around the frame and a pole and a cable lock through both wheels back to the "D" lock.  The next best solution is an "armoured" lock (it has a flexible steel sheath over the outside of the cable making it more difficult to cut). Alternatively use a welded link steel chain with a padlock.

If you are at Uni, use the lockable bike cages on the university campus but still always lock up your bike properly inside the cage.

Whenever possible, store the bike inside a building or a locked garage. 

If you return to your bike to find that someone has placed their lock around your bike while you were away, they are probably planning on coming back that night to steal it by cutting your lock off when no-one is around. If you find a strange lock on your bike, don't just leave your bike there, you need to remove the stranger's lock and your bike that day.  Call security or the police and find a way to cut the extra lock off before the thieves return.

 

COMFORT

 

It's important for safety that the bike you choose is the right size and style to suit the rider's size, age

and type of riding intended. Correct fit ensures your new bike will be safe and comfortable and will handle correctly. Be careful not to select a model that may be too big, or too small for the rider. The rider must be

able to stand astride the bike's top frame bar with both feet flat on the ground and have at least 25mm (50mm for MTB's) clearance.  Seat height should be adjusted so that with the heel of the foot on the pedal at its lowest point, the leg is straight without stretching.  That way, when riding (with the sole of the foot on the pedal) the leg is always slightly bent at the knee..

In the cooler months wear the right type of clothing when you are riding.  Dress in light layers so you can peel them off as you warm up.  When you stop, add layers so that you do not chill off.  The temperature in Canberra can vary 20 degrees Celsius between day and night, even in winter, so if you will be riding after dark you will need warm clothes or some type of wind-stopper.

Gloves are essential when riding to protect your hands from the elements and any un-intended departures from the bike.  For winter look for a pair that are wind resistant as the wind-chill will be a contributing  factor to how cold your fingers become.    

Be seen, be safe.   Large areas of bright, high visibility colours ensure that you are seen rather than overlooked.  Dark colours or patches of different colours (like camouflage) tend to blend the rider into the background making it more likely that you will not be seen which increases the chances of a car pulling out in front of you. Yellow or orange "Hi-Vis" vests work well.

To comply with the law bike riders need to display lights on BOTH the front (white) and back (red) after dusk.  Reflectors also provide passive visibility of your presence, the more the better (front = white, back = red, wheels and pedals = yellow)

 

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

Do not leave bikes out in the weather.  They will deteriorate from UV and weather exposure.

Keep the tyres inflated above 35-40 psi for mountain bikes, above 50-60 psi for hybrids and up to 120 psi on road bikes.  Avoid riding on under inflated tyres as it will damage the tyre, rim and tube.  Never continue riding if the tyre becomes completely flat as this will add to the cost of repairs from just a patch on a tube to a new tyre, tube and probably a wheel if you go too far on it.  Carry a spare tube, a pump, a patch kit and two tyre levers.  These items are cheap at Big-W in the Canberra Centre.  If you cannot fix the puncture yourself, have the items necessary to perform a repair and ask another rider to assist you.  Patches only work on one side.  The black side of the patch must face up.  There are two types of tube valves, "Presta" (skinny - mainly found on road bikes) and "Schrader" (thick - the same as a car tyre valve).  Some pumps will only fit one.  Make sure your pump matches, or can be changed to fit your valves.

Oil the chain if you have been caught in the rain or leave the bike out in the rain.  Otherwise oil the chain every couple of weeks.  On a cheap bike you can use any oil, general purpose household oil, car engine oil, even cooking oil, olive oil, or baby oil, if you have nothing else.  Just place one drop on the round roller (the disc that sits between the two flat outside link plates that make up the chain).  Dip a screwdriver (or knitting needle or a match or a key or anything with a pointy end) into the oil and then place one drop on each disc. That is all that is required.  There is no need to oil the gear teeth.  Just oil the chain discs.

If you have a problem with your bike, have it attended to while it is still a small problem. Letting it go could cost more to repair it later and impact on your safety.  Never ride a bike with bad brakes.

 

SAFETY

Wearing a helmet is mandatory in Australia.  ALWAYS wearing a helmet regardless of skill, confidence and experience.  The majority of bicycle fatalities are caused by head injuries.   Wearing a secure helmet reduces the risk of brain or head injury by up to 60 per cent in the event of a crash.  The police fine is more than the cost of a new helmet.  No-one knows when a crash will occur and when it does it usually happens very quickly.   The helmet could save your life.  It is really not worth the risk not wearing a helmet to save $50.

Use your bike bell more than you think you should.  Ring it often and well in advance to give pedestrians plenty of notice to turn and see you then to move out of the way.  If a pedestrian steps into the path of your bike you could still be liable.  Give them plenty of notice.  

Make eye contact with car drivers at intersections to ensure that they have seen you, if you cannot make eye contact, you need to assume that they have not seen you and be prepared to stop if they pull out in-front of you even if you have the right of way.

Canberra bike paths outside of the inner city area are not well lit and lights will be required to find your way along the paths safely after dark.

Use your left and right arms (one at a time) as indicators to provide hand signals advising other road users of your intentions.

Weather Gear: Clothes for cycling comfort

Canberra is blessed with a dry climate, making heat and cold your main challenge. The temperature can vary widely over a day. Make a habit of listening to the weather report in the morning so you know what to expect.

In summer wear long sleeves, sunscreen and UV-protecting sunglasses, travel at your own pace and drink plenty of water.

Most winter days are clear and sunny with very cold mornings and evenings, with an occasional overcast or (rarely) rainy week. Spring is the wettest season, but continuous rain over a number of days or even a single full day is unusual.

The secret to staying warm while cycling is to keep the wind and moisture off your skin. Fast riders who warm up quickly can often get by with just a light nylon or Goretex windbreaker (preferably ‘breathing' fabric or at least with underarm vents) and windproof gloves, with a head scarf or ski hood under your helmet in the coldest weather. Slower riders should wear suitably warm clothes - remembering that loosely woven woolens are essentially wind-transparent.

Remember you can always catch a bus with your bike if the weather is unpleasantly hot, cold or wet.

Avoiding Cycling Injuries

Lights, Locks and Helmets

ANUgreen offers a range of subsidised lights, locks and helmets, which can be purchased from the ANU Parking & Transport Office in the John Yencken Building on Sullivans Creek Road  Building [45]

Cycling can give us many hours of injury free exercise if we take some simple precautions to match our body to the bike.
If you experience discomfort or numbness of a part when riding, don't grin and bear it because it could lead to long term problems.
Nearly all these problems can he avoided though simple precautions and having yourself professionally fitted to your bike.

Problems and solutions:

The four most important ingredients for comfortable cycling are:

• The right size bike
• Being correctly fitted to your bike
• Daily stretching
• Good quality clothing

Hands:

• Always wear padded gloves.
• Adjust position to balance your weight between the saddle, pedals and bars.
• Ride with relaxed wrists and elbows.

Feet

• Avoid long rides in soft soled sneakers.
• Invest in clipless pedals and cycling shoes.
• Loosen shoes and straps to allow for normal foot swelling.
• Ensure cleats are placed so the ball of the foot is over the pedal axle and heels align naturally.
• If you ride with toe clips, make sure they are the correct size; don't ride with light straps for extended periods.
• If you use bike shoes make sure they are the correct width for your foot and fit a good quality innersole to reduce pressure.

Saddle Soreness:

• A bike position fit up to correctly balance your weight.
• Set your saddle so it is level. If you ride with it nose down you slide forward placing excessive weight on your hands and you experience discomfort from sitting on the narrow nose.
• Buy the best cycling nicks you can afford. Women need nicks cut wider at the rear and no centre seam in the liner. Reduce chaffing by applying talcum powder to yourself and a little skin cream to your nicks liner.

Neck Pain:

• This is usually caused by having a too short riding position or a heavy, older style helmet.
• Your comfort can often be improved by fitting a longer head stem to your handlebars.
• Remember, your helmet is useless unless it fits your head well and has correctly fitted straps.

Back Pain:

• Often caused by a riding position which is too long because of incorrect frame or stem length.
• Improve flexibility by stretching your lower back and hamstrings.
• Strengthen your abdominal muscles.

Knees:

• Spin easy gears, don't suddenly increase riding distance, use cycling shoes and clipless pedals, correctly position cleats. Make sure you have the correct seat position.
• When riding focus on your pedalling style, circular action. high cadence, knees tracking correctly and flexible ankles.

 

Support Organisations

Pedal Power

Pedal Power is the main bicycle community/advocacy organisation in the Australian Capital Territory whose aim is to promote: 'More Canberrans cycling, more often, for a better community'  See www.pedalpower.org.au

Why join or remain a member of PEDAL POWER ACT:
• Personal Accident Insurance while on your bike 
• Automatic third party personal and property coverage
• Suporting our advocacy activities for improved facilities
• A choice of over 200 different rides to participate in each year
• Discounts at good bicycle shops in Canberra & Queanbeyan
• Bi-monthly local cycling magazine (Canberra Cyclist)
• Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced bicycle maintenance classes
• E-mail bulletins to keep you informed
• Great monthly, social and information nights
• And much more

Cycle Jam

Cycle Jam is a great opportunity to fix and  maintain your bike for FREE. Usually people drop in with an ailing bike for which they lack the knowledge, tools or parts to fix. During the Jam, a facilitator helps put the right resources in the hands of the bike owner and coaches them through the repair or maintenance task.   See  http://jackrsteiner.wix.com/cyclejam#!about/csgz  and   www.facebook.com/CanberraCycleJam