How to Transport Items on Your Bicycle

Cycling for Transportation

For many who cycle, they adopt it as their primary means of transportation. As such, there may come a time when you need to transport items on your bicycle. While not technically illegal in some regard, the best rule of thumb is that you can carry anything as long as it doesn’t impede traffic and allows you to keep both hands on the handlebars.

For example, you wouldn’t be able to get away with hauling a 12 foot cut of lumber on the back of your bike as it would be a danger to anyone else on the road. Furthermore, if you were cycling with a box under your arm, you would probably be pulled over as it impaired your ability to steer a bicycle.

Best Ways to Transport Items on Your Bicycle

Your best option for carrying most items is either the classic basket on the front or a rack on the back. Anything from a bag of tacos to groceries from the store will fit on these two spots without issue. Of course, you may need to use your imagination. If you make unexpected stops for stuff, it may be worthwhile to carry a few bungee cords or even shoes laces with you to secure items. Even in a pinch, your own bike lock may be helpful.

For the bigger loads, you may want to look into wagons that can be attached to bikes. As these don’t really impede traffic or your ability to ride, they can be helpful when hauling larger items on your bicycle.

While hauling things on a bicycle is generally pretty safe to do, it doesn’t change the fact that bicycle accidents will still happen. If you have been in a bicycle accident, contact us today to see what the Law Office of Gary Brustin can do to help you get the compensation that you deserve.

5 Reasons Why You Should Always Trust Your Bicycle Mechanic

 

A good bicycle mechanic is a cyclist’s best friend. Certain things need to be serviced and looked over by a professional. Not only are they in the know, but they will also better ensure your bicycle safety. Here are five good reasons why you should find a good bike shop and trust your bicycle mechanic:

1. Warranty

Most bikes have a warranty on them, which is excellent for anyone who rides and depends on their bike for their health or transportation. Yet, almost all bikes warranty will be voided if they are not serviced or maintained by a certified mechanic.

2. Hidden Issues

Bikes have issues that aren’t noticeable by looking at the bike or lightly riding the bike, such as a crack in the frame, a cross-threaded bottom bracket, or even a tire that is starting to separate from the bead. A mechanic that specializes in the manufacturer of the bike that you own should be able to spot these and other issues that your bike may have, as well as be able to fix these issues in a way that complies with the manufacturer’s requirements to not void your warranty. Some of the issues that you could have might seem to be more annoying than really a problem, such as a slight shifting misalignment, or a rubbing of the brake, or even a creaking with every pedal stroke, but these issues can be signs of bigger issues that could be detrimental to your bicycle and checkbook, or even your health.

3. Specialized Parts and Specialized tools

There are parts on all bikes that need specialty tools, and usually, the nicer your bike, the more specialty components, and more specialty tools your bike will require to repair successfully. Whether it’s a cassette or bottom bracket tool, chain whip, bearing press, spoke wrench, reaming or facing tool, or even a brake bleeding kit, most bike shops will know which tool to use, have that tool in their possession, and be able to effectively use that tool to successfully fix your bike’s specific issue.

4. Newer and changing technology

Newer bikes have advanced mechanical parts like complex shifting and brake systems. These must need a higher level of experienced skill and practice to ensure correct function. Professional mechanics are always being introduced and trained for the bike systems as they are released.

5. Bike Parts / Equipment have lifespans

Along with a warranty, certain things need to be serviced and looked over by a professional. Even if the bike or parts function like new, beyond a shelf life they may no longer hold up to the abuse cyclists put on them. Brake pads and tires dry rot, grease in shifters will harden. A professional will know when to re-grease an item, can tell when your brake pads need to be replaced etc… before it becomes an issue you experience while riding.

For bike safety tips, cycling laws, and more contact us anytime.

3 Useful Tips for Safer Night Cycling

On the whole, cycling is a safe mode of transportation. While it’s true that if a cyclist and a motorist collide it’s the cyclist who’s more likely to be injured, those collisions aren’t as frequent as you might think. However, accidents do happen, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most of those accidents happen at night and in urban areas. To that end, let’s go over a few useful tips for how you can cycle safely at night, particularly in urban areas with heavy traffic.

Use High-visibility Gear

High-visibility gear is one of your best defenses against cycling injuries when traveling at night. If it lights up, reflects, or otherwise indicates your presence to motorists, use it. Reflective tape, for instance, can be placed on your seat, wheels, gear, and even onto your clothing while you travel at night. When headlights hit the tape, it lights up and tells drivers you’re there. Flashing tail lights that clip or screw onto your bike are also advisable, as are reflective helmets and headlights.

Go Back to Basics

If you’re an experienced cyclist, you know the basics, but it doesn’t hurt to remind yourself of them once in a while. This is particularly true if you’re traveling in a riskier-than-usual environment, such as cycling at night. The League of American Bicyclists advises cyclists to use a system called “ABC Quick Check”. A is for air, B is for brakes, C is for cranks and chain, Quick is for quick releases, and Check is to check the entire bike over. Again, this might seem rudimentary to someone who’s been cycling for a long time, but it’s worth doing when heading out at night. The more responsibly you cycle, the less of a chance there is that you’ll get injured.

Stay On the Road and Be Vigilant

Many cyclists, even those with years of experience, feel tempted to ride on sidewalks at night thinking they’ll reduce their risk of getting hit by a car if they stay off the road. However, most cyclist safety guides, like those provided by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, warn cyclists that riding on sidewalks can actually put them at a higher risk. The reason for this is that motorists are looking for cyclists on the roads. They don’t expect cyclists to be on sidewalks. When you’re on a sidewalk, you’re invisible, so if you suddenly have to go back onto the road or you fall off the sidewalk for some reason, they’ll never see you coming. Of course, that means they’ll have very little time, if any, to correct their course. Never assume the motorists can see you. Stay on the road, be vigilant, remain observant, and don’t let your guard down.

Follow these tips, and you can go a long way to preventing an accident when cycling at night.

Have you been involved in a bicycle-related accident? Contact us today for legal help. We’re here to help you.

 

4 Tips for Choosing a Safe Route for Riding Your Bike

 

When it comes to bicycle safety, it’s not just important how you ride your bike, but also where you ride it. Here are some tips for riding your bike in the right places.

Choose a Quieter Route

If there are two routes, one which crosses many busy intersections and another that goes on side roads, take the one that goes on the side roads. It might take you slightly longer to get to your destination, but it’s worth it. And hey, you’ll get some more exercise and enjoy a quieter ride and better scenery.

Ride at the Right Time of Day

It’s not just where you ride, it’s when you ride. Obviously, riding at night should be avoided if you can ride at day instead. However, there are times of day when traffic is a lot heavier and people are in a rush to get to their destinations. If possible, ride at a time of day when people are at work and the roads are quieter.

Be Careful On Narrow Roads

When riding on roads that are very narrow and barely allow for a car to get through, exercise caution. If possible, avoid them. This is especially true when there is no grass or woods where you can drive into in the case of an emergency, such as if there is a wall.

Don’t Ride Right Next to Curb

You don’t want to ride in the middle of the road, but riding right next to the curb is wrong too. First of all, all the gravel, gutters, potholes, and debris will make for a shaky ride. There may be obstacles that force you to swerve unpredictably into the flow of traffic. In addition, you have no leeway in case you need to get out of a car’s way.

For legal help in case of an accident, contact us right away.

6 Bicycle Safety Tips Every Cyclist Should Know

 

Are you an avid bike rider or just getting started? Bike riding is beneficial in many ways. It is also an affordable alternative to cars. Here are some bicycle safety tips for safe riding.

Use a Bell

It’s not just enough to use lights and reflective gear. You need a bell as well. This can help you warn people in front of you who are in your path.

Use Google Maps

Google Maps has an option for cyclists. If you need to get somewhere on your bike, you can use Google Maps to find a good route. However, memorize your route beforehand. Do not look at your phone while you are riding your bike.

Use a Saddle Bag

Use a saddle bag that can be attached to the back of your bike. If you don’t have such a bag or basket, you will end up hanging grocery bags from your handlebars, which can interfere with your riding.

Have an Emergency Kit

Just like you should have a spare tire in your car, so should you have a spare tube and other extra stuff you might need, such as some tools and a patch kit. Keep these stuff in your saddle bag.

Watch Out for Car Doors

If you are riding next to parked cars, be extremely careful. Car doors opening on cyclists is a common cause of bike-related injuries. You also have to watch for cars pulling out. It is best to maintain enough distance from the parked cars so that you don’t have that risk.

Have a Phone and ID With You

You should always carry around your phone and ID with you. This will help people identify you and contact your emergency contacts in case anything happens.

In case of an accident, get legal help immediately. Contact us today for more information and professional guidance.

 

Cycling Safety This Winter

For many cyclists, at the first sign of snowflakes, they hang up their bike for the season and engage in some other mode of transport. However, they are missing out on one of the most fun riding experiences of life. While cycling in the snow is innately more dangerous, there are few more refreshing experiences than cycling in the snow. However, with road conditions worse and motorists still just as uninformed when it comes to sharing the road, there are a few more safety tips to consider.

You Have the Right to a Lane

The biggest issue with cycling in the snow is that bike paths are often left ignored by snow plows. Furthermore, they are often the first victims of snow bank build up as well. If you find your usual bike lane is clogged with snow, don’t be afraid to move into the lane. You have the right to the road just like any motorist and if the bike lane is too narrow or unusable, you are fully within your right to merge into traffic.

Take Turns Wider

Between the snow banks and slick conditions, taking turns on a dime with relative quickness is going to be pretty impossible. The key to riding safely in the winter is to go slow and take as much space as you need, particularly when it comes to taking turns. However, always do a shoulder check before wide turns to make sure there is not a motorist speeding up on you.

Don’t Be Afraid to Dismount

Riding in the winter for many cyclists means putting on winter tires more akin to mountain bikes. However, even with proper winter tires, areas of thick snow or heavy ice can be difficult to navigate. Yet, just because you are riding your bike doesn’t mean you should have to force yourself through. If the path is too treacherous, just get off and walk it for a spell.

For many areas of the United States, winter cycling is a big time for accidents. Between sheer lack of knowledge and the stress caused by snow, accidents are more likely. However, if you have been in an accident on your bicycle, contact us today so Gary Brustin can help get you the justice you deserve.

What Every Cyclist Should Check before Hitting the Road

When it comes to bicycle safety, not only do you need to know how to stay safe on the road, but a big part of that is making sure your bicycle is safe to ride. By performing a simple pre-ride check each time you are getting ready to head out can make sure that you are as safe as can be.

A pre-ride check should include:

  • Check tire air pressure and add air as needed for an easier ride.
  • Check the tread on your tires to make sure they are not completely balled. This should also include checking for any debris stuck in the treads that could cause a flat.
  • Check that the wheels are secured tightly and the quick releases are secure so that the wheels don’t come loose while riding.
  • Check the brakes to make sure they are grabbing. Make sure they are grabbing the rims of the wheels and not the wheels themselves as well to prevent wear and sudden flats.
  • Compress and release suspension to make sure it is working properly.
  • Check your chain for dryness and add lube if needed.
  • Spin the wheels looking for wobbles. If wheels are wobbly, make sure to get them trued.

The above may seem like a lot of steps, but they can actually all be done rather quickly. By doing this pre-ride check every time, it is just one more variable of bicycle safety to remove. However, if you have been in an accident, you shouldn’t have to suffer it alone. If you need representation to make sure your rights aren’t stomped on, contact the Law Office of Gary Brustin today.