Category Archives: Bicycling

Pedal in the City: Know your laws!

pedalcityBicycling is tons of fun, healthy and environmentally friendly. But with bicycling comes responsibility.

Here are highlights of bicycling laws in Utah.

Making sure your bicycle is street legal:

You are required to have a white headlight, red taillight or reflector, and side reflectors, all visible for at least 500 feet (41-6a-1114) any time you ride earlier than a half hour before sunrise, later than a half hour after sunset, or whenever it is otherwise difficult to make out vehicles 1000 feet away (41-6a-1603).

  • You     must have brakes capable of stopping you within 25 feet from a speed     of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement (41-6a-1113).
  • You     cannot have a siren or whistle on your bike (41-6a-1113).

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Pedal in the City: Bike Commuting Winter Safety Tips

pedalcityWinter in Salt Lake began with the beauty of falling snow and crystals of ice glistening in the winter sun. While beautiful to gaze upon, with that beauty comes commuting hazards. This month’s focus is on biking safely in winter weather conditions.

Gear Junkie, based in Minneapolis, has posted 12 tips for winter bike commuting, covering everything from proper clothing to how to navigate your bicycle in the ice and snow.

Here are a few of the tips. The rest can be found at

http://gearjunkie.com/winter-bike-commuting-10-tips-to-ride-safe

Bike safely!

Follow the plow — Bike trails are regularly plowed in many major metro areas. For example, in Minneapolis more than 50 miles of trail is plowed after a snow.

Ride steady — For slippery stretches riders should slow down and stay loose. Brake only on the rear wheel to avoid spinouts on slick surfaces. And be prepared to take your feet off the pedals if the bike starts to fishtail or tilt.

Cold and clean — Unless you plan to clean it off, keep your bike cold and store it in the garage. A room-temperature bike in new snow can cause ice to form on brakes and gears more easily. Also, keep your chain and gear cassette lubricated for best operation.

Headwear — Jacket hoods are a no-no, as air funnels in as you move, inflating a hood like a sail. Instead, many riders wear balaclavas and sunglasses or ski goggles. Tight-fitting (but warm) fleece skull caps are popular. Top it off with a helmet, perhaps sized larger in winter to fit over all the insulation.

Pedal in the City: Bike Commuting ~ One of the Best Ways to Stay Healthy

Working out at the gym has its benefits, but consider something that might bring more enjoyment along with those health benefits: Bike commuting.pedalcity

A 2013 article in Grist Magazine by Jay Walljasper discusses the health benefits of bike commuting.

“Biking for transportation appears more helpful in losing weight and promoting health than working out at the gym.

This means I can spend less time wearing a grimace as I endure mind-numbing exercise routines at the Y — and more time wearing a smile as I bike to work, shopping, and social events. Just what I always thought.”

Citing a study on commuting by bike vs. car, Walljasper highlights the fact that exercise for transportation my have better health benefits than weekly exercise routines. Continue reading