Learning how to ride a bicycle. Again.

I thought I learned how best to ride a bike when I was a kid. It's possible I learned incorrectly or just developed bad habits over the years.  In the last year or so, I've been doing a great deal of research on biking in general, and came across Sheldon Brown's website which is loaded with articles, tips, and even a bike glossary!  Here, I have summarized a few tips from his site, so that first-time cyclists and those just getting back into it will have an easier time, while developing good habits for a lifetime of enjoyable riding.

Starting
It may seem like the simplest part of cycling, but starting is the most crucial to master. The most basic skill of riding balanced, without wobbling or swerving, takes patience and practice, but it also takes a little bit of speed. It's much more difficult to balance on a bike that's not moving or barely moving, and that's why effective, consistent form will help you get that little bit of momentum for a smooth, balanced start.
1. Straddle the bike with both feet on the ground. You shouldn't be on the seat at this point- if you are, then it's most likely not set to the correct height. I'll cover adjusting the seat later.
2. Using your foot, rotate the pedals so that they are at a 45 degree angle from straight up and down.
3. To start, place your foot on the pedal that is in the high position and press down hard. Step up so you can get in the saddle, all while applying force to the chain, making the bike propel forward.
Your other foot will come off the ground, which then should be placed onto the other pedal in order to press down on that one to maintain/increase forward momentum.

It takes a bit of practice to get balanced while starting out, especially on a bike you're not familiar with, so take your time and do it a few times in an empty parking lot, or driveway. Once you get this technique mastered and form the habit, you won't even need to think about it.

Stopping
This may not be as difficult as starting, but it's one of those things that seem simple enough, but when done incorrectly, it can be dangerous.
1. Downshift. If your bike has gears, and, assuming you know that you're coming to a stop, it may be necessary to downshift your gears. It's a good habit to get into so that once you're stopped you'll be in a reasonable gear to start up again.
Of course, in an emergency stop, you'll just stop and not worry about gears.
2. Put your foot down. When you're completing your stop, you'll want to have one foot on a pedal in the lowest position that will hold your weight as you come off the saddle, meanwhile taking the other foot and placing on the ground, timing it so it touches the ground just as your bicycle comes to a halt.

Some people want to put their foot down too early and this can be dangerous. If you haven't come to a complete stop, the instant you take your weight off the bike and place it on the ground, your bike is going to come to an abrupt halt. This is because it's much lighter without your weight and you're still applying the same braking force. Meanwhile, your body's momentum will keep you moving forward, and possibly into the handlebar stem, or worse, you may even lose your balance completely and that won't produce an elegant or graceful fall by any means.

Adjusting the saddle (or "seat")
Correct saddle placement is crucial in getting the most efficient cadence while not placing too much stress on your knees. Here's a brief guideline.

I figure out where my saddle needs to be by leaning my bike against a wall while a friend steadies it. I then get on the bike as if I'm going to ride, but the pedals are in an up and down position. While seated on the bicycle in a riding position (hands on handlebars), hips level on the saddle (not reaching for the pedal) with the balls of the foot centered over the pedal axle, the knee should be bent at about 10 degrees. If the knee is bent more than that, your saddle needs to be adjusted up. If it's not bent or you can't reach the pedals, lower it. Adjust it only about a half inch at a time until you get close to that 10 degree goal. Once you do, take it for a test ride around the block and fine tune it, if necessary, so you feel comfortable.

I hope this short guide will help you develop some good habits that make biking easier and more enjoyable. While it may take some time to get used to them, hang in there and you'll eventually reach a point where you won't have to think about how you ride, you'll just be able to enjoy everything else around you! The key to becoming a better rider is practice!

Green Code Connections

Who says that being a responsible citizen is boring?  We had a great time last night at the Buffalo Green Code meeting (Central) at Hutch Tech High School.  What's a Green Code, you ask?  Well, it's an initiative that the City of Buffalo is implementing to revamp, indeed completely restructure, our city's zoning codes and land-use plan.  The idea is that we should be the ones to direct how and where development will happen in our city, as well as ensuring that the type of development fits the character of the neighborhood and the space.  For example, the Green Code, once it becomes law, will have the ability to prevent an intrusive, say, gas station, on a corner of your block if you have told the Green Code team that it doesn't fit with the historic character, or pedestrian-centered feel of your neighborhood.  It is being created through an ambitious series of public meetings (the first of which happened last fall), intended to get the input of ALL residents. 

While the first part of the meeting that was held in the auditorium was an introduction, we got to the heart of the matter in the cafeteria after a short break.  There was such a high level of energy in the room that it was practically humming.  We were broken out into small groups at the tables, each around a map of the neighborhood in question (which included downtown/West Village/outer harbor).  Each group had a moderator, an experienced urban planner, etc who helped interpret and write our views about each neighborhood and block's particular strengths and weaknesses.  Bit by bit, we decided what we liked (historic character, walkability, diversity), what we disliked (blight, lost potential, lack of access to the waterfront), and what we want to see more of (pocket parks, bike lanes, mixed-use and small corner specialty shops).  It was an empowering process that I hope the city will truly listen to when they finalize the Code.

Chris Hawley, an urban planner working with the City of Buffalo (and author of the Hydraulics Press blog), was our break-out group's guide through the exercise.  He was skilled in understanding and translating our comments into useful notes on the board, which they will later compile once all the meetings are complete.  While there was a lot of excitement and energy at the meeting, we would have liked to have seen a greater diversity of racial and ethnic backgrounds; perhaps this will be different at other locations.  Maybe the organizers need to do a better job of getting the word out to those who do not have access to the internet (billboards, posters, inserts in mailings from the city).  There was a fairly good mix of age groups represented, and we met several neighbors.  We look forward to following along with the process, and encourage you to participate, and invite your neighbors or block club!  You can click on the link above to check out the Green Code website, which gives details of the process, and the meeting locations.  Take an active role in shaping the future of YOUR city!

Here is a link to local coverage of the first meeting:
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article354739.ece