DEFENSE! Don't get by the bus. |
No matter what reason you ride a bicycle in Boston — whether you're a tree-hugger doing your part to save the environment, an outdoor-sports enthusiast, or just a license-free commuter (either by choice or at the urging of the local authorities) — you've probably realized that this city and its decrepit roads aren't very bike friendly. The dangers of urban biking are everywhere: potholes, smog, endless construction, confusing routes, car doors, hordes of college students . . . the list goes on and on. Yet the price of public transportation continues to rise, global warming worsens, and parking becomes increasingly rare, sending more and more people back to their bikes to get around. Biking in the city can be intimidating, but luckily there are tons of products to make your environmentally friendly urban commute safer and smoother.
Basic improvements
If you don't already have them, stock up on basic bicycle safety gear — helmets, flashing LED lights (front and rear, to avoid being doored), and a rear-view mirror. Even though there are few new bike-safety products on the market, existing ones (like helmets and lights) are becoming more comfortable, lightweight, and efficient. These things are especially important in an urban environment where roads are rough, traffic is relentless, and cyclists must learn to ride defensively to prevent injury.
Bud Durand, manager of Cambridge Bicycle, near MIT, says there’s no excuse for cyclists going without basic safety gear, especially helmets. "They're inexpensive, less than a pair of sneakers, and they save your life," says Durand, who points out that college students in particular are reluctant to wear helmets. "We'll ask them whether they're paying $120,000 for their education, and then whether they'd like to protect their investment."
