Alameda Runners – Get After It!

Restrictions on stay-at-home orders across the United States are easing, while we get used to transitioning into later “phases” of lockdown. Even a couple weeks ago, while the warmer weather helped draw people outside, it was difficult to think of activities that provided adequate social distancing guidelines.

With malls closed, some restaurants fulfilling pick-up or delivery, and nothing much to do outside, quite a few people are turning to cycling.

The COVID-19 world – and a drive for more sustainable-living habits – has led to a boom in bike sales:

“Consumers are looking for outdoor- and kid-friendly activities to better tolerate the challenges associated with stay-at-home orders, and cycling fits the bill well. Growth is stemming largely from children’s, BMX, and adult leisure bikes that carry a more approachable price-point than some of the more expensive bike styles that were selling well prior to the COVID-19 crisis. Ultimately, more people are likely riding today than in years past.” — Dirk Sorenson, sports industry analyst, at The NPD Group.

Earlier this spring, The Guardian recently published the top 10 reasons it’s a great time to start cycling, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease. The list is quite practical from our cycling friends across the pond – so I recommend giving it a quick glance, and absorbing a bit of the information if you’re new to the sport.

I think it’s a great way to get around town, and you manage to get a bit of exercise along the way. Not everyone needs to try to ride a bike like Lance Armstrong, though that seems to be forgotten sometimes.

Go outside, get a bit of fresh air, and have fun out there!

I want more people out and about on bikes. Hopefully, it’s done in a safe and enjoyable manner, so riders want to continue with the activity.

Wearing a bike helmet should be second nature for bike riders, kids and adults alike. Around 300,000 children head to the emergency room stemming from bike-related accidents. Even more adults were injured, with 467,000 reported cases in 2015, according to the CDC.

Under California law, everyone under the age of 18 is required to wear a helmet if riding a bike on the street or public bike trail. However, I strongly urge everyone riding a bike to wear a helmet, because accidents and incidents do occur.

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Riding a bike is supposed to be fun. I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe experience each time you get back in the saddle. There are a lot of scenarios that end up with cyclists and pedestrians injured while out and about, despite much of it being preventable with basic situational awareness.

If you’re familiar with Alameda, you’re likely aware of the numerous crosswalks, bike lanes, and occasionally disorderly habits of… seemingly everyone. Preventable collisions and other incidents occur due to a variety of factors, so let’s take a closer look.

Locking your bike is important and should be done anytime you’re parking your bike in a public place.  Unless there is a bike valet service – or pay-by-the-minute bike lockers – you’ll have to just lock it up outside.

Here is a quick video demonstrating the proper way to lock a bike:

Additional tips and links available after the jump:  Read more… »