Bike To Work Day!

I joined a number of other people who chose to ride to work today for Bike to Work Day. I just started getting into bicycle commuting in the past couple of weeks and it has really highlighted the pros and cons of getting to work on two wheels.

Cons first, so we can end on a high note.

1. Lights that don't trip. Today I encountered two left turn lights that don't change unless the system knows you're there. Being a slender girl on a carbon fiber bike, I guess I don't trip the light, because I waited for several minutes with no change (first at Ralston and Belmont Canyon/Hillcrest, and later at Ralston and Hiller). In the first situation I was fortunate to finally have a truck come along right before I was going to give up and use the crosswalk, and that triggered the light. The second time I had to walk across the intersection to get to the bike bridge entrance (that light is frustrating enough in a car, let alone a bicycle).
2. Lack of bicycle lanes and/or proper space along Ralston Avenue. Ralston has small sections with bike lanes, but for the rest of the length, you really take a risk riding with automobile traffic. My commute takes me on Ralston from Belmont Canyon/Hillcrest to Hiller and I haven't found a good way to avoid using Ralston (I have heard cutting through Water Dog is an option, and I've tried residential streets from Alameda to Cipriani). Morning isn't so much of an issue, but the traffic coming home is a beast. Just yesterday I was riding up Ralston, and with little room between cars and the curb between El Camino and Sixth, I had to hang back and move in traffic. Just after crossing Sixth, I was squeezed (as a friend puts it) to the right by an SUV and ended up with my left arm on the side of this car for a few seconds, fearing I'd be pulled under, but the driver moved back over in time. I don't even think the driver knew I was there. (Incidentally, if anyone can fill me in on the sidewalk rules for Belmont, that would be helpful in hopefully making my ride safer)
3. You get sweaty and gross, especially if you have to ride up Ralston Avenue. But who cares?

The pros are much better.

1. It's green! I don't think I need to explain this, but isn't it cool that you can get a car off the road and do your part by bicycling?
2. It's good exercise. While I may not get much of a workout on my downhill ride to work, I'm pretty tuckered by the time I get home from riding up Ralston Avenue (often into the wind). And I don't even have to go to the gym for that - killing two birds with one stone! I'm working on my "wedding body" for this fall and this is an easy way to move that along.
3. It's economical. I don't know yet how much of a dent bicycle commuting will make into how much gas I have to use, but right now, I appreciate any savings I can get!
4. You don't always have to sit in traffic. One of the small joys in life - breezing by cars that are in a stand still on El Camino. You may not get there faster, but at least you're doing something!
5. Using the new bike bridge over 101. This doesn't apply to everyone, but if you have the chance, use it! It's a great way to get over to Redwood Shores without battling cars. And it's not as steep as the bike bridge to Cañada Road, so it's quite the pleasant experience!
6. You can meet new people! You may not form long lasting relationships with them, but today I got to spend a couple of minutes with a nice chap waiting at the infernal light at Hiller and that brief exchange made my commute that much better. You could even find a commute partner!

Additionally, I was so delighted today to have an "energizer station" as part of Bike to Work Day along my commute route, just after using the bike bridge. I got to pick up a bagel and feel like I was part of something important.

I hope to see you out there on my commute!