Bicycle Outfitter News, Events and Clinics

CLINICS

Basic Maintenance Clinic

Our Basic Maintenance Clinic is designed to make riders of all levels comfortable and confident when faced with minor on the road repairs. The clinic will cover preventive maintenance tips, bicycle safety features, repairing a flat / tube and tire replacement along with trouble shooting ideas. Correct drive train maintenance along with a bicycle safety inspection will also be covered. Questions on other cycling topics welcome.

Basic Maintenance is a one hour lecture on Saturday morning starting at 9AM sharp. Call 650-948-8126 to sign up.

 

June 21st	Basic Maintenance Mountain
July 5th	Basic Maintenance Road
July 19th	Basic Maintenance Mountain

Please call 948-8126 and let Service know you will be there!

 

 

 

NEWS

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH!

There are many opportunities for you to contribute to National Bike Month. If you can't get on a bike for an entire month, then do it for a week. If you can't get on a bike for a week, then get on your bike for the day. Friday, May 16th!

Here is some information for thought:

Why Support Bicycle Commuters?

• Bike commuting cuts down on automobile traffic; less stress, congestion and
  pollution.
• 
  Bicycles put less wear on the roadways, decreasing taxes used for road
  repair.
• 
  More car parking; you can park a dozen bikes in one car parking space.
• 
  More parking spaces for your car-driving customers.
• 
  A cleaner environment is a cheaper place to do business.
• 
  Supporting bike commuters will earn you a loyal, healthy clientele.
• 
  Fewer cars mean safer communities with lower speed limits and less
  congestion.
• 
  Noise, air, water and ground pollution would be decreased.
• 
  More walkable and bikeable communities increase home values.

Commuting and Public Health

1) American epidemic

• In 1991, 4 states reported obesity rates of over 15%; in 2004, it rose to 49 states.
• 
  Over 66% of the adult US population is overweight; 32% of the US is obese.
• 
  The result of this condition is over $22 billion in health care and living costs.
• 
  More than 50% of American adults do not get enough physical activity to
  provide health benefits.
• 
  25% of U.S. adults are not active at all in their leisure time.

2) Risks

• 29% of Americans are sedentary which causes an increase in disease and
  death.
• 
  80% do not get the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days a
  week.
• 
  Inactivity is a factor in 10% of total deaths and 25% of chronic disease related
  deaths.

3) Recommendations

• Bike commuting is moderate physical activity 5 times a week.
• 
  Recreational bike riding is a safe, low-impact, aerobic activity for Americans
  of all ages.
• 25% of all trips are within a mile of home; ride your bike for your health.

4) Communities

• Residents of pre-1960’s communities are more likely to walk, bike and use
  transit.
• 
  Typical infrastructure in American cities is designed for efficient auto use.
• 
  Americans spend 75 minutes a day in their car; 89% of all trips are by car.

5) Challenge

• 60% of Americans want bikeways between home and stores.
• 
  55% want more bike paths and improved road conditions for cycling.
• 
  Sustainable transport is the future; support cycling as transportation and
  recreation.

Sharing the Road: Cyclists

1) Ride on the right

• Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
• 
  Use the lane furthest to the right that heads in the direction that you are
  traveling.
• 
  Slower moving cyclists and motorists stay to the right.

2) Act like a vehicle

• The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists.
• 
  Obey all traffic control devices, such as stop signs, lights, and lane markings.
• 
  Always use hand signals to indicate your intention to stop or turn to motorists
  and cyclists.

3) Always wear a properly fitting helmet

• Make sure that the helmet fits on top of the head, not tipped back.
• 
  Always wear a helmet while riding a bike, no matter how short the trip.
• 
  After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, visible or not, replace it
  immediately.

4) Ride predictably

• Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve in the road or between parked cars.
• 
  Check for oncoming traffic before entering any street or intersection.
• 
  Anticipate hazards and adjust position in traffic accordingly.

5) Be visible

• Wear brightly colored clothing at all times.
• 
  At night, use a white front light, red rear light or reflector and reflective tape or
  clothing.
• 
  Make eye contact with motorists to let them know you are there.

Helmets

1) Wear a helmet

• A helmet is your last line of defense in an accident; never ride without one.
• 
  Helmets can reduce serious head injuries by 85% in a crash.
• 
  A helmet will not protect your head if it is not properly fit.

2) Shell and pads

• Find the smallest helmet shell size that fits over your head.
• 
  Helmet pads should not be used to make a helmet that is too big fit your
  head.
• 
  Leave about two-fingers width between your eyebrows and the front of the
  helmet.

3) Helmet Fit

• Make sure that the helmet fits on top of the head, not tipped back.
• 
  Always wear a helmet while riding a bike, no matter how short the trip.
• 
  After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, replace it immediately.

4) Straps

• The straps should be joined just under each ear at the jawbone.
• 
  The buckle should be snug with your mouth completely open.
• 
  Periodically check your strap adjustment; improper fit can render helmet
  useless.

5) Ventilation

• In general, the more vents the better; improper ventilation can cause
  overheating.
• 
  Helmets with good ventilation can actually be cooler than riding with no
  helmet at all.
• 
  More vents usually mean a higher priced helmet; buy one that you are proud
  to wear.

6) Colors

• Helmets come in different colors in different models; buy a highly visible color.
• 
  Shell color does not affect the temperature of the helmet against your head.
• 
  Pick a color that encourages you or your kids to wear it.

Carrying Kids

1) How old?

• When children can hold their heads up, they are ready to go with you.
• 
  Make sure that they have a big enough head to fit into a helmet.
• 
  If unsure about whether your child can ride with you, consult your
  pediatrician.

2) Helmet

• Many manufacturers make helmets for infants; buy only Snell, ANSI or CPSC
  approved.
• 
  Purchase a helmet from a reputable bike shop in your area.
• 
  Replace helmet after impact; a crash or a drop can reduce its effectiveness.

3) Helmet fit

• The head should fit into the helmet with minimal padding.
• 
  Make sure that the straps are snug under the baby’s chin.
• 
  Infant helmets protect more of the head than adult helmets.

4) Trailers

• 
  Trailers usually have a ball and socket joint to prevent tipping if the bike falls
  over.
• Three point seatbelts and freestanding design make trailer much more stable.
• 
  Higher initial cost, easier on/off, can be used for cargo or dogs, high resale
  value.

5) Bike-mounted seats

• Bike mounted child carriers raise the center of gravity and makes the bike
  less stable.
• 
  It takes two people to load a child into a rear seat; one to hold bike, one to
  load kid.
• 
  Lower initial cost, can be hard to remove, child specific, lower resale value.

 

Ten Commandments of Bicycling

I. Wear a helmet for every ride
II. Conduct an ABC Quick Check before every ride
III. Obey traffic laws: ride on the right, slowest traffic farthest to right
IV. Ride predictably and be visible at all times
V. At intersections, ride in the right-most lane that goes in your direction
VI. Scan for traffic and signal lane changes and turns
VII. Be prepared for mechanical emergencies with tools and know-how
VIII. Control your bike by practicing bike handling skills
IX. Drink before you are thirsty and eat before you are hungry 43
X. Have fun

 

 

 

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