A newbie cyclist takes to two wheels in the city

Call it Sarah's Cycling Summer

This year I’ve been on a quest to get in shape. My latest challenge? To cycle in the city. The problem? It scares me to death.

Sure, I rode a bike as a kid. But I lost interest when I was 12. The next time I picked up a bike, I was 20 years old and a smoker.

Then it took me 10 minutes to go only a few hundred metres. “What’s the matter with you?” my stepmom asked when she picked me up barely inches from our laneway.

Now I'm a non-smoker living in a downtown condo with a cyclist who thinks it would be neat for the two of us to bike together places.

There's not much space in the condo to store a bike for me, so when Bixi launched in Toronto last month, I decided this would be my trial run. I bought a membership and promptly went out and bought a helmet.

After getting my Bixi key, I didn’t use it for the first time for more than a month. I was too scared. Too scared of the cars, the other cyclists -- of cycling in Toronto in general.

But I want to put my fear behind me. I’m never going to get over my fears if I don’t try.

Last week was my first week. I rode from my house at Queen and Church Sts., across King St. to Parliament St. and down Queens Quay E. It was easy to do when I worked at 6 a.m., but when my shift switched to 9 a.m., that’s when I got nervous.

Still, my first day I went to the Bixi stand at King and Jarvis Sts., and picked my bike. I got on it and began the ride down King — which was quieter than I expected. I turned down Parliament St., to find some unexpected construction. I took my time going through the intersection but survived. I made it to work in one piece.

So here is my quest: To cycle everywhere that scares me by the end of the summer and get my $95 bucks worth from my Bixi membership.

I’m looking for your help in giving a newbie cyclist some tips as I navigate the city this summer. Where to cycle, how to get past the fear of riding on the road with cars and trucks and other cyclists, and how I can improve my balance so when I start after being stopped I don’t wobble around the lane.

Leave a comment and watch as I tour Toronto on my bike.

Comments

[Rachel]

Congrats on starting to bike! It's a great way to get around the city.

My top tip is to behave properly at intersections. It's the place where most bike/car collisions happen - in particular, cyclists getting squished by cars turning right. Remember to stay visible. Move into the middle of the lane if possible (if continuing straight). Move into the turning lane if turning left.

In general, make sure you're visible and communicating your intentions to everyone else on the road. (This also means wearing lights at night.)

Congratulations again, on overcoming your fear! I hope this summer is excellent for you.

[Sarah]

Thanks very much Rachel for the words of encouragement. I tend to stay a bit further back at intersections, especially where there are a lot of cars who tend to turn right. (On my current route, that means at Lake Shore and Parliament where everyone is turning to get on the Gardiner. So far I've been OK. Turning left makes me nervous still, so as of now I usually get off my bike and cross it across intersections where I need to take the left. Especially if I have to wait at a red light, I just don't have the balance to sit on my bike at the intersection.

[Melissa Foley]

GOOD FOR YOU SARAH!!!! You will do great!!!!! Make sure you are always visible and make sure you have lights for night cycling!!! Hope this becomes the summer of cycling for you!!! I am so NOT a cyclist-but I give you major props hun!!!!

[NewDaddy]

Congratulations! Seeing people actually using the Bixis puts a smile on my face. Just make sure that you behave like a vehicle and account for human error along with that most human of all traits: stupidity, and you'll be fine. When in doubt err on the side of caution. What I mean is that you shouldn't drive like a scaredy cat but shouldn't be so emboldened by being in the right, legally speaking, as to forget that if you end up actually disputing the same physical space with a much larger object you run the risk of suffering more than scratched paint and body work. Be careful, is all. Be ready to break or signal and go a bit wider if you notice someone about to give you a "door prize", for instance. Signal. Enjoy.

P.S. - my nemesis are the streetcar tracks...I once caught my wheels in them and it wasn't pretty

[Sarah]

Thanks so much for the kind words of encouragement Melissa and NewDaddy.

New Daddy, I will definitely take your tips into account going forward! Thank you!

[Greg Burrell]

Congrats on getting started! The best thing you can do to build your skill & confidence is practice. Try longer rides on your days off or when the roads aren't so busy, or explore the city's many great off-street cycle paths where you can go at your own pace. My favourite is the Leslie Spit, although it's a bit far from any Bixi stands. And keep an eye out for the many biking events that go on around the city all summer. In spite of the politics, Toronto really has a diverse and vibrant cycling community. Welcome!

[lukev]

You might want to get a rear-view mirror, that you can velcro to the handlebar. That way you can see behind you!

[Alex D.]

Hand signalling, your bell, your voice. Make others notice you out there. Have a great and safe summer on your bike. Go girl!

[Allie]

Congratulations!!

Don't feel bad - when I started cycling 5 years ago, it was also to get in shape. I was actually perusing the Craiglist ads when my hubby asked why I was searching for a bike - when mine was where it had been since we moved it from our OLD house ;-p

So, 5 years and 60 pounds ago, I can be considered a veteran, a four-season rider who bike commutes daily from the Beaches to the Financial district.

Some hints - start out using bike paths, then move up to bike lanes, then cycling with traffic. Your confidence in your riding skills make the transition easier. If you are commuting, or going a fair distance, get some good bike bags - backpacks are a pain.

Catch the eye of the driver next to you when you are at a light. I figure if they actually have to look me in the eye, they have acknowledged me - and they are less likely to squish me like a bug passing me or turning :-)

Don't use the "legal" hand signals. Drivers don't recognize them! Point in the direction you are going to go - use emphatic movements!

Passing on a bike path is on the LEFT. Ring your bell, call out "on your left", and go. If someone behind you does the same, move a bit to the right to accomodate them. Another note on the Martin-Goodman path along the Lakeshore ... it's a multi-use path, so be mindful of the pedestrians, roller-bladers, wheelchairs and strollers. It's not the Tour de France!

Have an awesome time, and see you out there.

[Sarah]

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement, it means so much.

Thanks for all the tips, Allie.

My confidence has grown tenfold just knowing there's so many in the bike community willing to cheer me on!

[Tammy]

Way to go Sarah!

If you ever want to go for a ride with me, drop me a line! We can try out some of those new bike boxes together.

Thanks for sharing!

Tammy
tthorne@dandyhorse.com

dandyhorsemagazine.com