Bicycle and the city: Happy Ride to Work day

24.06.2015 / 17:52:57

Urban Cycling etiquette: Use courtesy and cautious judgement

Tami Lancut Leibovitz

Happy Ride to Workday, part of annual Ride-To-Work week, celebrated mostly in the United States and Canada. In 2015, 45 Million American Cyclists chose to join the movement of cycling. The day is celebrated with work outings, parties and fun Instagram photos! But cycling is not only fun business, its means of transportation that helps promote health, wellness and of course, environmental change. In Israel, where I am from, about 40% of households regularly ride bicycle and electric bikes. In Tel-Aviv, Israel’s largest metropolitan, it’s impossible to go anywhere without seeing cyclists. The electric bikes in particular are a phenomena, the volume of cyclists increased so much that as we speak, new laws are being processed to try to enforce motorbike riders carefully. Obeying traffic laws is not a laughing matter and we can be part of the solution as cyclists by providing a safer, better riding environment to the drivers and cyclists that share the road with us.

Bike to Work Week – Be part of the change!

Bike to Work Week was created back in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists, one of the largest membership organization for cyclists in the USA. Still today, the organization promotes cycling year round and of course celebrates national events for this bike-lover week. The major events are celebrated around the San Francisco and Oakland area and Chicago, Illinois. Many cyclists organize and choose sponsors to help support causes, giving this day and week another great reason to exist.

Bicycle riding is one of the most beneficiary activities one can find, so many muscles group from your body are involved in the ride, creating stronger muscle mass. It was also chosen as one of the lead activities that diminishes risks of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and more. It also has a terrific advantage to our mental state, researchers suggest it helps relives pressure, depression, tiredness and pressure. It’s a natural mood upper, strengthening the mind and body.

Urban Cycling etiquette: Use courtesy and cautious judgement

Obeying laws and using common sense seems pretty easy before we get on the bike. The minute the adrenalin of the streets of the city kicks in. it’s not so easy to execute proper cycling etiquette rules. Focus on the enjoyment and benefits of the ride and follow those basic rules:

• Stay on the right riders! Do not swerve between cars; it can only lead to obstruction. Stay as straight and consistent as you can.
• When riding to work or a business environment, keep your business clothes in a sealed bag in your backpack. Make sure you give yourself enough time to arrive early to the meeting and refresh yourself.
• Don’t ignore the traffic light! Many riders tend to do it and it create a confusion and danger on the road.
• Another tip to stay dry in the way to a business environment – use sweat proof/sweat-free clothing.
• Don’t be shy to use gestures when needed. Being too cool on the road can only cause un-cool situations, if you feel a driver doesn’t see you or you need to signal other cyclists, raise your hand up and turn your ride into a smoother experience.
• Always take your time, leave early, prepare yourself the night before – don’t get into a late run where you’ll end up losing to the clock and risking yourself with speedy driving.
• No cellphones on the bike – No business or social text or call is ever worth it.
• If you ride more than 20 minutes on the way to work, make sure you don’t show up with sore muscles. Stretch your muscles before you hop on your ride and keep the stamina flow going after the ride.
• Use the ride for your advantage before a big meeting! Your blood flow will be pumping and the ideas will come faster and stronger!

Hope you will be taking advantage of national celebration on wheels, be safe! If you have any transportation etiquette questions or any other etiquette question, please feel free to visit the question section on my site and leave a question - http://bit.ly/AskTami or write me at tami@tll.co.il.

For more about commuters etiquette and so much more, please visit my website  for fresh etiquette articles as well as information about my new book, The IBL Code: International Business Language.!