one> ALWAYS wear a helmet. This is just common sense. Drivers are not looking for bicyclist, especially in Omaha where there are no bike lanes.
two> Wear bright clothing to make yourself more visible to motorist. The brighter the color the better, so pull out all your eighties day-glo clothing and bask in the safety it provides.
three> Use panniers or a backpack to carry tools and a change of clothes for work. It doesn't need to be fancy, any old school bag will work.
four> Make sure to always have a patch kit, pump and spare tube on you. Chucking beer and soda bottles onto sidewalks and roads is super cool (apparently) but getting a flat is not.
five> Invest in basic rain protection. A jacket and pants are good to have but bike fenders are a must. It's not so much the liquids coming from above as the grime coming from below that can ruin your day, and maybe a nice pair of pants.
six> If your riding in the dark use some kind of lighting. You don't need a high end lamp to light your way, just something that enables others to see you from the front and the rear.
seven> Change over to slicks. If your riding knobbies (tires with deep treads) switch over to a tire with a smooth rolling surface. Less tread means less rolling resistance which means you go further faster. That's good.
eight> Use back roads and side streets whenever possible. The less traffic the safer. Omaha also has a nice set of trails which offer far less people and debris than local roads.
nine> Relax. Your not trapped inside a metal box anymore so don't act like it. Take time to slow down and enjoy it all; sunrises, sunsets, stars, clouds, other commuters. Keep your eyes open, you never know what you might miss.
Best tip> Do it to have fun and feel good. Saving the environment and your sanity will just be a bonus. Don't feel right away that you have to ride everywhere, everyday. Just biking to work once a week is a good goal. However, don't be surprised to find yourself soon riding and smiling everyday.
for repairs, info, submissions. [email protected]