Go Outside and Ride Your Bike!
Editor’s Note: Originally published April 8, 2020
You’ve seen enough buzz words, and we all know what’s going on, so let's skip ahead to acknowledge that you’re feeling anxiety about the future. You’ve got time on your hands, you’re cooped up with little to keep you occupied, and you’ve got no money to spend with nowhere to spend it anyway.
What you need right now is some exercise, fresh air, and adventure! Fortunately, riding your bike in Everett can meet those needs and load you up with endorphins that will help you clear your head and cope with all of this stress.
Everett has some good bike infrastructure in places, though it’s sparsely connected at best, so if you want to get around this town on your bike you’ll likely need to use a mixture of bike-specific utilities and on-street cycling.
Pro tip: $1 wiggling foam noodle // Courtesy of Tyler Rourke
The number one reason more people don’t ride bikes in Everett is because they’re afraid of motor vehicle traffic, which is certainly understandable. Fortunately, there’s very little traffic right now, given that so many people are hunkering down, so this is actually the perfect opportunity for you to get out there and build some confidence.
As someone who has spent more time riding a bicycle in Everett than driving, relying on a bike for daily transportation during the vast majority of my adult life, I’d like to share some tips that might help if you choose to give it a go.
You don’t have to look like a cyclist.
Wear whatever makes you comfortable. If you start to enjoy longer rides, comfort might include bike shorts, but there’s no need to cross that bridge until you feel like you want to. Get out there in your regular clothes and just see how it goes.
The opposite of camouflage // Courtesy of Tyler Rourke
Be visible.
Wear bright colors. I use an orange safety vest. Better yet, add lights to your bike. Even during daylight hours this is a good idea. You can also get a brightly colored pool noodle at the dollar store and zip-tie it to your bike so it sticks out to the left a couple feet. It works, cars pass more safely when a $1 wiggling foam noodle is protruding toward them.
Be predictable.
If you’re on the road, follow the rules as though you’re driving. Stay to the right, but don’t pass on the right. Pick a direction and a speed, and make an indication when you’re about to change your vector (hand signals, people!) Don’t make sudden swerves unless there’s nobody around.
Pay attention.
Don’t wear earbuds. You need to use all of your senses, as well as your brain. Look at where you’re going. Listen for traffic or other people riding bikes. Smell the season and appreciate how much more connected you are with the world around you!
Claim your space.
Stay to the right, but not too far. It’s a bad idea to ride close to parked cars. A door could open at any time, or a driver could back out blindly into you. You need to find a balance between staying right so people can pass on the left, but also claiming your space so they don’t pass too close. Always try to leave some extra room in all directions in case you need to maneuver.
Visible and space is claimed // Courtesy of Tyler Rourke
I’m not going to recommend specific bike rides this time, but rather I’d just like to encourage you to explore your neighborhood and city on two wheels. Think of a place you’d like to go, plan a route using the quietest streets you can think of, and go there. It doesn’t have to be far and it could be a neighborhood park, a school, or some other nearby landmark. Google maps has a great directions feature in which you can click the image of a bicycle to get recommended bike routes between destinations. You can also email me for help or suggestions at everettbikewalk@gmail.com.
SAFETY NOTE: Regardless of where you choose to go, PLEASE be safe. Now would be a particularly inopportune time to go to the hospital.
Social distancing rules apply. Maintain safe distances from others.
Wear a helmet and be highly visible.
Use common sense. Stay off of busy roads like Broadway and Evergreen Way and stick to quiet neighborhood streets.
Helmets on, ready, set, go!
Tyler Rourke has lived in Everett since '06, and he's probably at least a head taller than you. He works as an engineer in Mukilteo, loves to make stuff, and gets around town almost invariably on a bicycle.
