Bicycle
Sonoma County is a great place to bicycle for fun, but it can also be a great way to commute!
Understand how to protect yourself from any unwanted accidents while riding on the road. The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition does a lot of outreach to the community about bicycle safety for people of all ages and is a great resource for learning about how to ride safely.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a brand-new bicycle to enjoy the benefit of commuting sustainably in Sonoma County. With enough research, time, and effort, you could obtain a bicycle that’s both affordable and ideal for your commute. One of the most cost-effective places to get a safe and high-quality bicycle is at Community Bikes. Community bikes also has a workshop where you can work on your own bicycle, with the guidance of skilled professionals, for only $10 an hour! Take a look at this helpful list of Tips for Buying a New Bike.
Look at the layout of the roads that you’ll be traveling and see how wide the streets are, check to see if there’s a bicycle lane, check to see if there are a lot of cars that regularly park in the bicycle lane, and check to see how well-lit the road is (especially if you’re riding at night). Make sure that you’re prepared for your commute, and have fun riding your bicycle!
Going Further:
1. Bicycle commuting saves money! How much can you save? Check out this free bike commuter fuel saving calculator.
2. Be inspired by another Sonoma County bike commuter. Check out this profile of a Sonoma State University employee who travels to work on his bike.
3. Additional Bike Safety Tips
- Ride on the righthand side of the road in the same direction as traffic
- Use white headlights and a red rear light at night
- Be predictable — ride in a straight line
- Obey traffic signs, signals, lane markings, and rules of the road
- Keep at least one hand on the handlebars and be ready to brake
- Ride 3 feet away from parked cars to avoid getting hit by opening doors
- Wear bright or reflective clothing to stay visible
- Use appropriate hand signals to communicate with others on the road
Find even more bike safety tips on the Sonoma County Transit page.