Owning the Road Rules

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Consider trading that wobbly 10-speed for a commuter-equipped mountain bike, a commuter-specific 'cross' bike, or a 'town cruiser,' which is a retro-looking ride with a cushy seat and an upright riding posture. Ask for help fitting your bike. A proper fit anchors you in the saddle with a low center of gravity and eliminates straining to reach handlebars or brakes, increasing stability and control.

Plan your route. If you're accustomed to driving and you attempt to follow familiar roads on your bike, chances are you won't be riding the best -- or even the fastest -- route, and a stressful ride is both dangerous and discouraging. Seasoned cyclists develop knowledge of bike-friendly, efficient routes.

According to the book How to Live Well Without Owning a Car (Ten Speed, 2006), when you're planning a route, look for designated paths, ample shoulders, smooth riding surfaces, streetlights, and light traffic. Finding roads on which you feel comfortable makes riding pleasurable. Websites like Bikely.com and RouteSlip.com allow users to plan, map, and share their favorite routes.

Play it safe. There's been a lot of hype lately about helmets, after some studies showed that helmet wearers sustain more head injuries. The reasoning is twofold. Momentum reports that cyclists who feel protected ride more aggressively, and drivers give a wider berth to folks who look dangerous (bareheaded yahoos, for example) but pass polished-looking cyclists assuming they'll follow laws and ride straight lines.

The bottom line is to be smart. Wear a helmet. Keep your bike in proper repair. Increase your visibility with rear- and front-facing lights and reflective tape on your bike frame or clothing. And once you look like you know what you're doing, ride that way too. Bicyclesafe.com describes typical scenarios, such as 'the crosswalk slam' and 'the [car] door prize,' and explains how to avoid them.

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