bike commuting

[sumstorm]

Does anyone bike commute? I have a 5 mile via road drive to school, and am considering bike commuting. I can actually cut out about a mile (I live on a dead end street and have to circumvent mall or go the other direction (which is actually faster via car) whereas with a bike I can go out the back and cut throught the back lot of the mall, plus through a park.

We don't get horribly cold weather, and I was told it is possible to bike commute year round...and the path is relatively flat (no more than 100 ft elevation change through the entire trip, mostly due to an over pass.) I have found a good bike shop (3.5 miles from my house) and just took a bike repair class (where we learned to change rear tire flats in less than 5 minutes.)

What I don't know is how much I will need to carry back and forth to school. Anyone have any idea how viable it is to bike commute?

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[nyanko]

4-5 miles is a little much to just start out with, if you haven't commuted by bicycle before. My commute each way starting out about a year and a half ago was about 3.5-4 miles. I was in relatively good shape and it was still difficult at first. I'm sure you'll have some story of climbing Mt. Everest or bicycling naked through the Sahara desert that will prove you can handle it, though. 😉

Some things to consider when you are weighing the pros and cons:

1) Clothing - if you are the type who likes to dress nicely/in a skirt or dress, it is very difficult to do so when bicycling, particularly for a 5 mile commute. Long dresses or skirts get caught in spokes/wheels or get dirtied by the chain, and short or swishy ones expose....a lot. You will also get dirty/sweaty a lot of days, particularly if it is windy, hot or rainy (basically anything but 70F with low humidity and light breeze).

Way to circumvent this: Leave a lot earlier, dress bike-appropriately and bring other clothes with you (means more stuff to lug around)

2) Major roadways you'll have to be on - Obviously freeways are just plain out, but if your route goes over somewhat-major roadways that are busy during rush hours in your town it can be difficult to navigate these. Riding on the sidewalk is completely inappropriate for using your bicycle to commute. It is a vehicle, treat it like one and ride on the road (and consequently, follow the rules of the road) if you are going to commute by bike. Riding on the sidewalk is rude to pedestrians and difficult for motorists on the road to react to when you are crossing. In many places it is illegal, as well.

Ways to circumvent this: Find alternate routes that include bike paths or trails, or use less traveled roads.

3) Laws regarding bicycling in your town - kind of goes hand in hand with #2, but be aware of any local laws or ordinances regarding bicycles specifically where you live. Know the helmet laws (here it is under 18 must wear one), know laws regarding reflectors or bike lights at night, know what the penalties and punishments are for breaking these laws. Here in Davis your drivers license can actually be suspended for certain bicycle infractions, Know your rights on the road.

4) Cargo - you said you don't know how much you'll have to carry with you, but obviously what you can haul around on a bike is dependent on whatever you use to carry it (personally I have an amazing, waterproof, on-the-fly adjustable Chrome messenger bag), and if you put a basket on your bicycle or not. If you'll have some space on campus where you can generally leave books or heavy/awkward things that you might need while you're on campus this might not be an issue. If you need to stop off at a store to buy a couple things, you have to limit yourself to what fits in your bag or basket. This is sometimes a good thing for me. 😉

5) Maintenance/random gadgets you need - sounds like you got a good start on this. In my under-seat bag I carry a bike multi-tool, spare batteries for my light, and a spare key for my U-lock. The U-lock mounts on to the frame while I'm riding, and I have a pressure gauge/pump mounted to the frame as well. When I park my bike I lock it to the rack, then remove my under-seat bag and my light. Those things will get stolen. It's also necessary to keep your chain lubed and everything tightened up, check your tires and brake pads routinely (also know where there are tire pumps in your town). You'll also need a good set of fenders if it ever rains where you are.

Those are some randoms that people may or may not think of when they consider switching to bike commuting. It's really good for your health and for the environment, if you think you are up for it, so I totally encourage it if you can! 😀

 

[Trilt]

Biking in Raleigh terrifies me, haha. I grew up where there were bike trails /everywhere/, and I think I've seen maybe one since I started school here. I have no real opinion here, just that you're a braver person than I if you do decide to bike commute.

 

[david594]

Have you considered a moped? 😉 Cheap, quick, easy.

 

[sumstorm]

Fuel isn't an issue. My car is paid off and is a prius. Well, let me put it differently, cost of fuel isn't an issue, I am concerned about the environment, but I think my motivation is a mix of convenience (as noted, I can cut out at least 1 mile by bike and in that mile there are at least 5 lights), a desire to have routine exercise plotted into my life, and this is the first time in my life (excluding undergrad where I biked at times and could walk everywhere) where I have lived less than a 20 mile commute to a town/city. The five miles is if I don't cut through any parking lots or parks...so if I go strictly by vehicle roads.

LOL I don't climb mountains unless I have to for SAR...and I don't consider myself a great bicyclist. However, my kind of plan was to spend the summer growing accustomed to the commuting distance and figuring out the best path to and from the school, and determining if it is even viable for me. I do run now (up to an 90 minutes at a time), swim EOD, and do some other athletic activities, so I am not out of shape...but biking isn't an activity I have been involved in.

Nyanko, you brought up a lot of points that I need to think about and I appreciate that. I was thinking I would wear appropriate biking clothes and then change. I completly agree with rules of the road, and have joined a group that specializes in commuter biking to gain some knowledge and skill. I know we have lockers at school, but I don't know how much generally has to go back and fourth. I currently plan on taking all notes on my laptop, and figured a rear rack is a necessity. The bike shop I am dealing with recommended I go ahead and invest in waterproof carrying gear when I buy gear. I also think I need to find out what my options are to secure a bike at school. At home I have a perfect lockable attached storage unit. I am currently considering fenders, lights, and a rear rack. I plan on picking up a maintenance kit when I get my bike back from the shop (just a general tune up.)

So, tentatively my plan is to spend June building up my endurance to 7 miles (just in case), then get in the habit of 2 rides a day through July at the times I will need to commute, then see where I am at come August. I was planning on buying a rack, lights, fenders, and other essential gear now, becuase even if I can't commute, the grocery store and a vast majority of shopping in the area is less than a mile from my house. Thanks for the information.... the guys at the shop all bike commute and are very enthusiastic...so I am a bit wary of their enthusiasm not presenting a real picture.

 

[Mistoffeles]

I commute 4 miles each way in Brooklyn, used to do 8.5 miles each way to and from Manhattan. As nyanko said, know what gear you need (I carry a set of hex wrenches, a spoke tuner, a set of tire clamps and a chain-break, as well as extra tubes and a patch kit, all of which can be secreted about my bike clothes or my under-seat bag). Also, commuting in traffic can be dehydrating - a water bottle (and cage) would be something I'd consider essential.

In terms of clothing, if your commute involves terrain, or you intend to exert yourself, I recommend cycling clothes for two reasons. One, pockets - you can carry a lot in a well made cycling jersey. Two, comfort - a lot of the clothes are designed to pull moisture away from your body, meaning that when you change, you may feel less gross. And, if you're planning to commute, I also recommend a "pants" option that allows you to forego the use of underwear - less chaffing, and less long term discomfort. Along the same lines, I would resist the temptation for a padded seat, and get the firmest model that your butt will tolerate - over the long term, you'll adjust, and again, reducing the chaffing factor can be quite nice. A good pair of glasses (I have a $30 pair of Remmington shooting glasses from Walmart, with changeable lenses - clear for rain, yellow/contrast for the night, and two sun lenses, one polarized, one not) with full eye coverage to protect against debris and road dirt is nice. Finally, a decent pair of biking gloves to keep your hands from blistering.

If you're comfortable with them, pedal cages are nice, as they reduce the need to worry about your upstroke, and make climbing of hills easier. If you want to go nuts, clipless pedals with shoes that lock in are the best way to maximize your ride - but some people never get quite that gung-ho about it. To each his own - I'd personally never go back to regular shoes/sneakers.

The messenger bags are nice, because they can hold a lot - however, i personally prefer a standard backpack, as it balances the weight more evenly on my shoulders, which is nice since my commute includes a nice upgrade both to and from.

I would amend the statement on "know the helmet laws" to say who cares what the law says, wear a helmet or you're an idiot. no offense intended, but having seen the damage caused by bike accidents, and having been the victim of multiple HBTCs (Hit By Taxi Cab), I wouldn't ride to the corner store without a helmet.

Remember that in most locales, also as nyanko mentioned, commuting cyclists are considered to be vehicles on the roadway. This means that in addition to having to follow the laws, you also get to take advantage of them. That is, while staying to the right side is smart, if you need to make a turn, don't be afraid to own the lane. The cars behind you will honk, but they're actually rather impotent unless the drivers care to have their insurance policies skyrocket.

While it's tempting to indulge, I recommend *against* the use of an i-pod or other mp3 device while commuting. perhaps that's just my location, but I feel the need to be extremely alert.

i love my commute - it wakes me up in the morning (although not enough that I don't need my coffee when I get to work), and i never have to worry about subway delays, traffic jams, or other hassles. yes, at the end of a long day on my feet, the return trip can be a little painful, but it also gives me a chance to decompress and exert out the stress *before* i get home; again, without being packed in a traffic jam or stuffed like a sardine into a rush-hour subway car.

i vote bike commute. 🙂

sumstorm, in light of your more recent post, the flip side of my enthusiasm is:
1. the car drivers hate that you're on the road, and will use their vehicles in less than polite ways to let you know that
2. the elements are definitely not always your friend - rain soaks you, cold weather can cause ice to affect you (and two wheels are less stable than four), and the mentioned debris and road dirt can sting if it's kicked up by a car/truck passing you at speed
3. if you're not feeling so hot, the commute can seem like hell, and may lead to you looking for excuses *not* to drag your ass out of bed
4. nyc is not a bike-friendly town, so if my boss wasn't willing to write a note to the building requesting permission, i was stuck sneaking my bike into the building (occasionally in pieces!). other cities have much better reputations.

I think your plan for getting used to it is a good one, and should hopefully also serve to increase your enthusiasm, once you realize how much fun it can be.

i *still* vote for bike commute.

 

[david594]

Along the same lines, I would resist the temptation for a padded seat, and get the firmest model that your butt will tolerate - over the long term, you'll adjust, and again, reducing the chaffing factor can be quite nice.

Isn't this why you get padded biking shorts instead?

And I must say after riding with clipless pedals, I can't really imagine riding on a regular basis without them.

 

[nyanko]

Also, commuting in traffic can be dehydrating - a water bottle (and cage) would be something I'd consider essential.

Yeah, this too, I forgot about that!

In terms of clothing, if your commute involves terrain, or you intend to exert yourself, I recommend cycling clothes for two reasons. One, pockets - you can carry a lot in a well made cycling jersey. Two, comfort - a lot of the clothes are designed to pull moisture away from your body, meaning that when you change, you may feel less gross.

I wish I wasn't always running RIGHT on the wire with time, because I'm sure it's a lot nicer to change clothes after a long commute. I also do tend to exert myself because if I'm riding, I am not riding slow. 🙄

A good pair of glasses (I have a $30 pair of Remmington shooting glasses from Walmart, with changeable lenses - clear for rain, yellow/contrast for the night, and two sun lenses, one polarized, one not) with full eye coverage to protect against debris and road dirt is nice.

I use snowboard goggles during the winter when it's raining here and sunglasses during the summer. GO AHEAD AND LAUGH but I actually had one of my contacts fall right out of my eye while I was riding, and the # of times I've been behind street sweepers I can't even count.

The messenger bags are nice, because they can hold a lot - however, i personally prefer a standard backpack, as it balances the weight more evenly on my shoulders, which is nice since my commute includes a nice upgrade both to and from.

Davis is super flat, which is really nice. My Chrome bag distributes weight fabulously, however, with the bonus of being more easily accessible/adjustable. Actually, it doesn't feel at all like it's carrying weight on my shoulder, rather the entire way around my back, really evenly, as long as it's packed right. A high quality messenger bag will not put all the weight on one shoulder. 🙂

I would amend the statement on "know the helmet laws" to say who cares what the law says, wear a helmet or you're an idiot. no offense intended, but having seen the damage caused by bike accidents, and having been the victim of multiple HBTCs (Hit By Taxi Cab), I wouldn't ride to the corner store without a helmet.

You're right on this, but I am one of the aforementioned idiots. I own a helmet but am quite inconsistent in wearing it. I know it's a risk but oh well.

While it's tempting to indulge, I recommend *against* the use of an i-pod or other mp3 device while commuting. perhaps that's just my location, but I feel the need to be extremely alert.

It's actually illegal here in Davis to ride your bicycle with earphones in both ears. It's also illegal to talk on a cell phone while riding. Unfortunately this doesn't really stop the undergrads 🙄 (nor do stop signs, arrows pointing the right way around roundabouts, pedestrians, sidewalks, etc..).

Thanks for pointing out some stuff I missed, Mistoffeles! Davis is much more bike-friendly than NYC!

 

[StealthDog]

I've been biking to school for the past year or so (although I take the bus from late October to early April or so... no snow biking for me!). My commute is fairly short (~1.5 miles), but now that clinics have started, I have the added challenge of looking professional once I get to school. I either fold my clinic clothes nicely and change once I get to school, or I take a week's worth of clothes and my clinic shoes and store them in my locker at school to change into. I also keep a hairbrush and washcloth in my locker to make myself presentable.

I do love the manditory exercise that biking builds into my schedule, and sometimes it's the only time I spend outdoors all day. I vote go for it!

 

[StillDreaming]

It may be something you want to obviously try out before the first day of classes. And those days you have to take a lot to school, consider driving.

Just because you commit to the ike commute now, does not mean it's set it stone for ya it seems. You'll still have your car for those days biking just isn't an option.

I was considering biking (i'm looking into housing close to campus as well) but obviously won't be doing so in the winter up at Tufts. It's something that i'll do the summer/spring/fall months to save a little bit of gas and mileage on the car as well as get some exercise in. 🙂

 

[Mistoffeles]

Isn't this why you get padded biking shorts instead?

And I must say after riding with clipless pedals, I can't really imagine riding on a regular basis without them.

yes - the padded biking shorts provide a cushion, but the padded seats provide a surface for sliding on. it's the sliding that leads to the chaffing, not the cushioning.

when i got my first set of clipless pedals (SPD mountain), i had no real problems. it was my first set of clipless road pedals (also SPD) that took some getting used to. part of it was that i was also getting used to the road bike (first time owning one of those), and i spent about 45 minutes being laughed at by my brother as i rode up and down in front of the house figuring out how to clip in and out as well as balance myself.

i always tell people that for the first few rides after going clipless, stopping has to be an active thought-engaging activity - you must think about clipping out before you stop.

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

,

 

[Mistoffeles]

Something I just did with my mountain bike was put slick tires on it. It greatly decreased the rolling resistance (I was riding on knobby/rec tires) and I can run them on a higher pressure. Much zippier now! It doesn't take as much out of you.

Agreed, but unless you're on well maintained roads, this can also increase the chance of a puncture and need to repair a flat.

 

[jglovicz]

Just my two cents. I commute about 3.5 miles to and from school...as previously stated, Davis is a very bike-friendly area and the bike path runs right past where I live. On my bike I have a rack in the back with 2 baskets. I really like this because I can fit my backpack in one and my lunch and anything else in the other. I did bike with a backpack for about 1 week, but for me the baskets are far superior (I don't miss the backpack-shaped sweat mark on my back). I really enjoy biking to school every day--I leave early enough that it is still cool outside. The ride home is often less pleasant (hot!), but I can shower/change when I get home. Have fun with your commute!

 

[sumstorm]

Along the same lines, I would resist the temptation for a padded seat, and get the firmest model that your butt will tolerate - over the long term, you'll adjust, and again, reducing the chaffing factor can be quite nice.

I confess, my current bike (a hand me down) does have a large padded seat...it is also a hybrid bike, and the staff at the shop said if I can get a handle on the commute path with this bike, getting onto a more appropriate bike at the end of summer should increase efficiency. Might consider switching the seat over sooner in light of that.

A good pair of glasses (I have a $30 pair of Remmington shooting glasses from Walmart, with changeable lenses - clear for rain, yellow/contrast for the night, and two sun lenses, one polarized, one not) with full eye coverage to protect against debris and road dirt is nice. Finally, a decent pair of biking gloves to keep your hands from blistering.

I hadn't thought about glasses at all. That is a great idea! What triggers blistering? I realize friction, but is it just the pressure against the bike handles? I know that is an odd question, but I have only had a half dozen blisters in my life, and most of those were after I had immersion foot and all the protective layers of skin on my feet sloughed off. Where does a ride typically get blisters? (Multiple levels of personal ignorance here!)

If you're comfortable with them, pedal cages are nice, as they reduce the need to worry about your upstroke, and make climbing of hills easier. If you want to go nuts, clipless pedals with shoes that lock in are the best way to maximize your ride - but some people never get quite that gung-ho about it. To each his own - I'd personally never go back to regular shoes/sneakers.

I would amend the statement on "know the helmet laws" to say who cares what the law says, wear a helmet or you're an idiot. no offense intended, but having seen the damage caused by bike accidents, and having been the victim of multiple HBTCs (Hit By Taxi Cab), I wouldn't ride to the corner store without a helmet.

I think I would skip cages and use clipless pedals....but I hadn't figured out how they work yet, so I figured that would be a transition after I familiarized myself with riding. I do have a bike helmet. I use to ride a motorcycle and have had a friend turned into a vegetable, so I became a major helmet advocate. As soon as my aunt sent me the bike, I obtained a helmet! If I can wear a full helmet on a motorcycle, I can handle an airy bicycle helmet.

Remember that in most locales, also as nyanko mentioned, commuting cyclists are considered to be vehicles on the roadway. This means that in addition to having to follow the laws, you also get to take advantage of them. That is, while staying to the right side is smart, if you need to make a turn, don't be afraid to own the lane. The cars behind you will honk, but they're actually rather impotent unless the drivers care to have their insurance policies skyrocket.

While it's tempting to indulge, I recommend *against* the use of an i-pod or other mp3 device while commuting. perhaps that's just my location, but I feel the need to be extremely alert.

I read a couple of articles about 'owning the lane' and that in some areas bikers are advocating always owning the lane, and the various laws that affect that. I hadn't heard of it before I started reading on commuting. It hadn't occured to me to listen to music...maybe from motorcycle riding....I kind of think I should have all my senses available.

2. the elements are definitely not always your friend - rain soaks you, cold weather can cause ice to affect you (and two wheels are less stable than four), and the mentioned debris and road dirt can sting if it's kicked up by a car/truck passing you at speed
3. if you're not feeling so hot, the commute can seem like hell, and may lead to you looking for excuses *not* to drag your ass out of bed

From what I understand, snow and ice are somewhat rare here...and I would likely restort to the car then. I can't ditch my car totally, since I will still have a husband 3.5 hours away! Also, I may still be working with clients on occassion so I will need my car for that. The other one...hadn't thought about that. Thanks for all the info!

 

[sumstorm]

I do love the manditory exercise that biking builds into my schedule, and sometimes it's the only time I spend outdoors all day. I vote go for it!

I think that is one of my biggest reasons for wanting to ride! I will have the ability to study outside at home during the nicer days, but I don't want to turn into a soft ball of flesh while attending vet school!

 

[eatpinkpenguins]

I have a 21 minute 9 block power walk commute next year, so I'm thinking about biking it too. I also only have a hybrid bike, but would be too cheap to invest in a street bike. I found these fun facts though on rei.com:

Biking Facts: Did You Know?

5 reasons to bike your drive

1. The average person loses 13 pounds their first year of commuting by bike.***
2 40% of all car trips in the U.S. are made within 2 miles of home.
3. 60% of the pollution created by autos happens in the first few minutes of operation, before pollution control devices can work effectively.
4. Just 3 hours of biking per week can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.
5. The U.S. could save 462 million gallons of gas a year by boosting bicycle trips just half a percentage point: from 1% to 1.5% of all trips.

***personal note- I've heard that a lot of vet students gain weight because of all of the free food for lunch talks/study induced inertia/eating cheaply and quickly. So lets keep the exercising going!

 

[Trilt]

2 40% of all car trips in the U.S. are made within 2 miles of home.

😱

Maybe I'm biased because I live in a somewhat rural area where things are spread out (nearest convenience store? 3-4 miles away,) but... wow.

 

[Pomona2006]

I know we're mostly commenting on commuting by bike, but my ability to walk places close by is a big thing for me. Check out http://www.walkscore.com/ - you can enter in any address (your current address or places you are considering moving to) and it will tell you how "walkable" the location is. My home town was quite rural and you had to drive anywhere and everywhere so it scored 8 out of 100. Where I live now is much more urban and everything from Trader Joe's, a pharmacy, restaurants, public transport are all within 2 blocks so it scored an 89 out of 100. It's a nice tool that's kinda fun...and useful when you are "shopping" for apartments from a distance.

As I will be moving to Davis, I will begin commuting by bike. I commuted last summer for an internship at a shelter and it worked out phenomenally since that's when gas prices around here were at over $4.50. I used to ride mountain bikes but after borrowing a friend's road bike for a day, I knew I would be getting a road bike for Davis. Mountain bike tires are not ideal for street biking as they make you work so much harder. I retired my mountain bike and just bought a used road bike.

For the Davis folks on here:

1) Anyone know how long it takes people to get to the vet school by bike from West Davis?
2) How common is bike theft on the vet school campus? (Less common than the main campus?)
3) Do any/many vet students commute to school by bike? Or do most drive?

And for anyone on here: Any suggestions for deterring thieves?

 

[sumstorm]

😱

Maybe I'm biased because I live in a somewhat rural area where things are spread out (nearest convenience store? 3-4 miles away,) but... wow.

Where I grew up, school was 35 minutes by car, an hour by school bus. The nearest store (a gas station) was 20 minutes (if you drove 55-60 on the 35 mph 1 vehicle roads.) I love rural life, but it definitly requires a vehicle of some sort. Anytime I have lived anywhere walkable or bikable, I take advantage.

 

[sumstorm]

I know we're mostly commenting on commuting by bike, but my ability to walk places close by is a big thing for me. Check out http://www.walkscore.com/ - you can enter in any address (your current address or places you are considering moving to) and it will tell you how "walkable" the location is. My home town was quite rural and you had to drive anywhere and everywhere so it scored 8 out of 100. Where I live now is much more urban and everything from Trader Joe's, a pharmacy, restaurants, public transport are all within 2 blocks so it scored an 89 out of 100. It's a nice tool that's kinda fun...and useful when you are "shopping" for apartments from a distance.

This was interesting, except that it seems to follow roads for calculating distance. It put my place as car dependent, even though all the categories it listed are within a 2 minute walk. However, that walk is through a parking lot...we are backed up to a mall (green strip seperating it from us) but it seems to calculate the distance if you walk the road instead.

 

[Pomona2006]

This was interesting, except that it seems to follow roads for calculating distance. It put my place as car dependent, even though all the categories it listed are within a 2 minute walk. However, that walk is through a parking lot...we are backed up to a mall (green strip seperating it from us) but it seems to calculate the distance if you walk the road instead.

Yeah I noticed that too, but it makes sense for them to calculate it that way as going by sheer distance doesn't necessarily mean much. If there you are on one side of a river and there is a supermarket on the other side, that doesn't mean much as far as walking. (Extreme example, but you get my point.) I'm glad it doesn't expect me to walk through other people's yards 🙂

They consider where I am going to be living in Davis to be "car dependent" at a 49 even though there are a whole bunch of places I can walk to. I guess compared to where I am now where everything is so close, it is "car dependent"...or as I'd prefer to look at it: "bike dependent" 🙂

EDIT: I spoke [wrote] to soon: http://www.walkscore.com/how-it-doesnt-work.shtml
"Distance: We are currently using "as the crow flies" distances rather than walking directions. This means if you live across the lake from a destination, we are assuming you will swim. And if you live in a subdivision with long curving streets with few intersections, we hope your neighbors don't mind you walking through their back yard."

 

[nyanko]

As I will be moving to Davis, I will begin commuting by bike. I commuted last summer for an internship at a shelter and it worked out phenomenally since that's when gas prices around here were at over $4.50. I used to ride mountain bikes but after borrowing a friend's road bike for a day, I knew I would be getting a road bike for Davis. Mountain bike tires are not ideal for street biking as they make you work so much harder. I retired my mountain bike and just bought a used road bike.

Actually, I just put touring tires on my mountain bike for commuting and it really works out just fine, with the added bonus that I can still navigate gravel and dirt and rocky areas!

For the Davis folks on here:

1) Anyone know how long it takes people to get to the vet school by bike from West Davis?
2) How common is bike theft on the vet school campus? (Less common than the main campus?)
3) Do any/many vet students commute to school by bike? Or do most drive?

And for anyone on here: Any suggestions for deterring thieves?

1) How long it takes anyone to get anywhere by bicycle depends entirely on how fast you go and what route you take. I live in northeast Davis, and it takes me about 15 minutes (depending on traffic and lights) to make it all the way over to the vet school (4 miles or so). As an example, my SO, to go close to the same distance, takes more like 20, because he doesn't ride as fast as I do.

2) No idea, but here's an anecdote: My bicycle got stolen from in front of the building where I TA (not on the vet school campus) and 4 or 5 days later, I found it in front of the building where my office/lab is (on the vet school campus) locked up to someone else's bike on the rack out front, with the registration and a bumper sticker I had on it scraped off and someone else's bell, light and water bottle (which I am holding for ransom) on it. I locked it to the rack and called TAPS to come and break the lock holding it to the other person's bike. By the time they got here the other bike was gone. So there is someone who is on the vet school campus at least sometimes who has no qualms about using a stolen bike. Food for thought.

3) The bike racks behind Valley seem to fluctuate with the weather, as does the fullness of the parking lot. But I don't know specifically, though I'm sure some vet students will step in and let you know!

For deterring thieves: Always lock your bicycle up with a good quality non-bic-pickable U lock. Cable locks are great and all but that's how my bike got stolen. Lock it to a stationary structure if at all possible, and lock it with at least one wheel and the frame involved if possible (it isn't always possible!). Remove anything you can carry easily from the bike when you leave it (lights, bells, under-seat bag). Realize that quick release wheels and seats may be stolen, and don't spend too much money on them if you're going to need to lock your bike outside. For that matter, for commuting to campus you probably want to buy the least attractive-looking thing you can (used high quality bikes are great for this). Beat the crap out of it, put stickers all over it, the more dents in the frame the better. Register your bicycle with the state/campus - if it does get stolen and you find it (like I did!) then it provides a means of identification. Even if they scrape off the sticker, the serial # and appearance are recorded, so you have a better chance of getting it back than if it wasn't registered.

I'm sure anything else I'm missing will be touched upon by someone else, but those are the basics!

 

[ShelterGirl]

For the Davis folks on here:

1) Anyone know how long it takes people to get to the vet school by bike from West Davis?
2) How common is bike theft on the vet school campus? (Less common than the main campus?)
3) Do any/many vet students commute to school by bike? Or do most drive?

And for anyone on here: Any suggestions for deterring thieves?

1. 18 minutes from the farthest northwest corner of West Davis (hybrid bike, moderate pace)
2. I know of 2 people (including Nyanko) who have had their bikes stolen this year
3. Most people drive, to be honest. I biked most of Fall quarter but the wind and dark in Winter quarter was brutal. In addition, you have may have things like pet food distributions, foster kitten bottle babies, and so on that require a car. When the weather is nice more people bike of course. I got a parking pass for Winter and Spring quarters and paid by-the-day ($6) fall quarter when I needed to drive. If you bike enough, it doesn't make financial sense to get a pass (something like $125 per quarter).

4. Ditto what Nyanko said about a U-lock. I use mine to lock the frame to the rack, and add on a cable through both wheels because they're quick-release (and I've seen lonely frames locked to racks on other parts of campus).

 

[jglovicz]

As for stolen bikes, one of my lab-mates had her bike stolen 3 times within 2 quarters...it was always locked up, and the first bike that was stolen was a real beater. She did actually find the second bike and locked it up to call TAPS. She had the receipt, but since she didn't have it registered, they couldn't do anything about it. As awful as that is, I don't know others who have had the same problem. Given the timeframe of bad luck, my feeling was that she was targeted by someone she TAed for that was unhappy with their grade.

My comment about how to keep your bike from being stolen (nyanko already mentioned it) is to ride a hunk of garbage. I got my mountain bike for my 12th birthday and although it creaks and the breaks squeek REALLY loudly if there is any moisture whatsoever (But watch, tomorrow someone will steal it...), it gets me from point A to point B. Not that it will be an option for a vet student (I wouldn't think), but my PI is an avid biker and actually has a nice bike. He brings it up to his office every morning (which I believe is against the rules, but I know a number of people that do it).

 

[nyanko]

re: people bringing their bikes into their offices/labs

The grad student and undergrad in my lab who have nice bikes bring them into the office rather than leaving them outside too. I've seen a lot of offices on campus with bikes in them, so if it's not allowed then it's definitely not enforced.

 

[lazyjayn]

Also- watch for car doors- getting doored will really ruin your day. And check out bike forums. They have a whole section just for commuting.

I assume it doesn't snow much there, but if you are in the strange part of NC where it snows, and if it actually sticks for more than a day or two at a time (or if anyone on here is thinking about bike commuting up north) Studded bike tires are really nice in the winter, though they increase rolling resistance- a lot.

I have a rack and a basket. I usually use a backpack for groceries, though, since I never think about bags until I'm there, and heavy stuff in the front basket really changes the way the bike handles.

-j.

 

[bern]

I did it for a while, though it was less than 5 miles. It's a great way to work in some exercise without setting aside time for it.

I would advise against trying to carry all your notes in a backpack--I tried and it really hurt my back. I ended up putting my stuff in some rear bike baskets and that worked very well. You might also want to keep a cheap plastic parka and some garbage bags at school so you're not stuck or soaked if it rains.

 

[VAgirl]

I didn't read all the comments, but I bike to school most of the time. I agree with Sheltergirl, I didn't do it in the winter because it was rainy and cold which stunk. I don't bike in the rain. I'm only about 3.5 miles from school, but biking 5 wouldn't be bad. The major issue for me is leaving early enough (I'm not a morning person, so having to leave earlier than I would if I was driving gets annoying sometimes). But I don't think the distance itself would be challenging. 5 mi biking isn't hard if it's flat, I'm sure you'd be fine with that. I have a hybrid bike, too, and it's the most comfortable thing in the world. It was also really nice to have that time while biking to and from school to myself and to relax. Good way to unwind. And when I was biking more regularly fall quarter, I definitely had my exercise covered. Which was nice.

I also don't find it tough to bring everything I need. Admittedly, I have two big wire baskets on the back of my bike, but I can fit everything I need in them and then some. I typically have my backpack with computer and maybe a lab notebook (rarely any textbooks), a water bottle, packed lunch, sweater/sweatshirt, and bike lock. And there's still room left over. I even biked home once with a 16 lb bag of cat food in one basket and my backpack, etc. in the other. I was a tad unsteady, but that was mostly when I had to stop moving forward and balance the bike at a light or something. Anyway, that's not a problem, I find. I can take a picture of my bike baskets if anyone wants to see how big they are.

The big drawbacks that I see is I don't like biking on test days (we have a test a week, usually) because I never am ready early enough. But my fiance works from home so sometimes he drives me. However, I do end up driving more than I would have liked, and for us parking is $6 a day (yikes!) so I'm actually not sure that I've saved any money on parking given how many days I decided to drive myself.

Anyway, those are my thoughts.