Chicago Bike Blog

It's time again for the Winter Tune-Up

This year, we have revamped our Winter Tune-Up a bit. The new Winterbike 2010 is a complete, season-long maintenance program for your bike. When you join for a one-time fee of $155, you will receive:

Our Deluxe Tune-Up

• Full adjustment of braking system,
• Full adjustment of shifting system.
• External adjustment of both hubs.
• External adjustment of headset.
• External adjustment of bottom bracket.
• Complete wheel dishing  & truing.
• Complete drivetrain cleaning or replacement (as needed).
• Chain lubrication.
• Inner tube replacement (if needed.)
• Tires inflated to correct pressure.
• Full check of parts and accessories to ensure safety.
• Free installation on additional accessories purchased from us.

INCLUDED ongoing maintenance through March 31, 2010

• Full bike wash and lube, as often as you wish
• Adjustments and tuning whenever needed
• Free labor on fixing flats
• Free labor installation of parts and accessories purchased at Rapid Transit.

Since we and our staff need to eat, all rubber, parts & accessories are extra, however, this year, as a Winterbike 2010 member, you will also receive a 10% discount on any merchandise purchased through March 31, 2010.

If you are planning to ride this winter, you really can't afford not to get this service. It is the best thing going in Chicago for winter bikers. And, the earlier you sign up for the program, the longer you get to enjoy its fabulous benefits.

Winter TLC for your bike

After you come indoors from a brisk winter ride, I know the last thing you want is to fuss with your bike. You want to warm you hands, have a nice  meal and perhaps a warming beverage. But at some point, perhaps after feeling returns to your fingertips, you'll have to attend to your bike. Snow and icy slush, especially  combined with salt and street grime, make a corrosive mixture that will eat through your bike and all its delicate systems.

To start off, use fenders. Not the kind that go on the seatpost. Real ones, front and back, that attach with struts and stay on. Like these:

They cost about $45 plus installation, but they will keep you and your bike drier and cleaner.

There is a some controversy about whether a bike should be stored indoors or out during winter. Without taking sides, I think it's safe to say that in Chicago you're usually better off storing your bike indoors to avoid theft. If you have the luxury of a porch, garage or basement, that's probably ideal. Otherwise, spread some absorbent matting in your  living room or hallway where your bike can drip dry. Storing your bike in a vertical position may help in draining any water stuck inside the cable housing.

If your ride has been particularly messy, brush off as much accumulated slush as you can before bringing the bike in, and rag off excess water. Lubricate the chain with an oil formulated for use on bicycle chains (not WD40).  Drip a little oil on each chainlink, and wipe off excess by running the chain through a rag with one hand while you slowly spin the pedals backwards with your free hand. Drip a little oil on the pivot points of both derailleurs (any hinge points at which the derailleurs flex), and a little more inside the jockey wheels on the rear derailleur. Do this at least weekly, and each time you ride through real slop. Following this ritual will protect your drivetrain from corrosion, excessive wear through the winter, and sudden breakage.

In winter, you should also regularly clean your bike, focusing especially on the drivetrain (the chain and everything it touches) and the wheels. This is also a good time to check your brakes. Pads can wear out a lot faster when exposed to salt and debris. If the pads get worn down to the metal, they will damage your rims (and fail to stop your bike). Keep the rims clean too, because this process can go both ways. Gritty stuff accumulated on the rims can speed up the wearing of the brake pads. Don't wash your bike at a carwash with pressurized water. That can knock grease out of bearings, and allow water to enter places it doesn't belong, like the rear freewheel or cassette, where it can later freeze causing all sorts of problems. Instead, use a bucket of hot soapy water, a rag and a stiff nylon bristled brush. Brush off the chain, all cogs and the rims of your bike. Dry everything thoroughly and re-lubricate as described above. (Find more winter bike maintenance tips at Chicago Bike Winter).

Rapid Transit Cycleshop does offer a winter tune-up package, where, for one set fee, we will take care of cleaning and maintaining your bike throughout the season. If you don't have the time, the space, the inclination, the patience or the ability to do it yourself, it just might be a great deal for you.

Winter cycling challenge? Changing conditions.

Today was a perfect day for winter cycling. The morning was relatively warm, dry, with hazy sunshine, and, a little after rush hour, traffic was sparse on the stretches of Bryn Mawr, Central Park and Elston I traveled, thinking about how different the riding was just two days ago.

If my husband's face registered surprise, when I agreed to ride over to  West Rogers Park for a party, I didn't notice. I'm thinking he must have been surprised, because, while cold temperatures don't generally stop me from riding, precipitation of any kind usually does. You know, snow  accumulation, falling snow, snow mixed with rain, sleet, ice, ice covered by snow, black ice, slush frozen into a bumpy ridge right in the bicycle lane, etc, etc... all those things I personally consider to be serious obstacles to winter riding.
But the day had seemed so cold and dry, and there had been relatively little light, fluffy, drifty snow in the days past, that surely, any trace of it would be gone by now. The streets would be bone dry, and, as long as we were properly dressed, we'd be invincible.

There may be places in this country where it never snows, and then there are undoubtedly places where snow is on the ground most of winter. Chicago is neither of those. Our winters are marked by sporadic, often abundant, precipitation of every conceivable type, fierce winds that blow the stuff all over the place, and temperatures fluctuating from mild, spring-like ones to positively arctic. This is coupled with somewhat unpredictable snow management strategy on the part of our city officials, who sometimes plow and salt without restraint, and other times not at all, and, in any case, focus most of their attention on major arteries, while neighborhood streets suffer from neglect, and develop treacherous patches of nearly invisible ice at every stop sign.

My first sense that things were not as I expected came as soon as I pulled out onto our own street. There were a good couple of inches of packed snow on the ground. But traction was OK, and I assumed that the city simply forgot about us again, what, with the Cook County woods facing our street, they probably lost track of who had jurisdiction. Surely, other streets would be OK. And they were, for a while. We deliberated for a few minutes at the corner of Cicero and Peterson, deciding what route to take. At my request, we decided to stick to the side streets, and avoid Devon at any cost. After all, there would be less traffic, and if we just went slowly, it wouldn't be too bad.

Well, where our street was packed snow, these side streets were covered by loose snow concealing patches of compacted stuff that had turned to ice. Well-heeled residents in their SUV's were making their way out of their homes to holiday parties, with little regard for intrepid cyclists. Chris began to note that his new windfront tights were not keeping him as warm as he had hoped. I was glad he talked me into windproof over-pants before we left the house. On the other hand, his knobby Conti Vertical tires were digging admirably through the snow, while my Double-Fighters were pushing through and gripping the snow, but they were no match for the ice underneath. After about two blocks of this, I got off and headed for the sidewalk. You know Streets and Sanitation has some work to do when residential sidewalks are better than the street.
"I don't feel safe riding." I proclaimed.
"OK, suit yourself. Let's go and get the car," agreed Chris "but we still have to bike home."
"Don't tell me what I already know." I responded huffily, and got back on my bike to pedal home.

But we had not gotten to the end of the block, when the going suddenly got easier again. The snow was deeper, more crunchy, and there was no sign of ice.
"I think it'll be OK if we just make a straight shot down Devon." I said, completely contradicting what we had just decided, and also my usual instinct about that street.

Devon turned out to be more or less of a nightmare. Although it appeared to have been plowed, patches of suspicious slush lurked around the edges. We decided to take the right lane, but just as we were making some headway, we came to a section where the streetlights were completely out. My blinkers were no help in searching out potential hazards in the road, and Chris' more powerful light had to do the work for both of us. East of Lincoln, the streetlights resumed, but traffic got worse, with cars pulling in and out of parking lots, and depositing ridges of black snow as they went. Further east still, where the Indian neighborhood begins, snow remained on the ground, and the safest place to ride was in the tracks left by cars. We got off Devon with relief, and traveled the remaining few blocks on side streets of the type I already described.

Interestingly, the trip back, with bellies full of food and warming drinks, was a breeze. Chris borrowed some lightweight track pants from our host to pull over his tights. We made a conscious decision to stay on medium-sized streets, California and Bryn Mawr, which were mostly cleared and relatively free of traffic. We were home in less than half the time it took us to get there.

Lessons learned:

• Plan your route. On warmer days, it is easy to wing it and improvise your route based on traffic conditions and your mood. In winter, it pays to carefully evaluate where you're going and what is the best way to get there.
• Carry lights capable of illuminating the road, not just blinkers. Don't rely on streetlights. Again, in winter it is not as easy to get off a poorly lit road and choose a different one.
• Dress in windproof layers that will trap warm air and help insulate you if you have to travel slower than your accustomed speed.
• Avoid trying out new items for the first time on a lengthy winter ride. Test them before you head out.
• Realize that the effects of winter weather in Chicago are very unpredictable, and even with well designed equipment and planning, you may not be fully prepared for what you encounter. If that happens, chalk that up as a lesson learned for next time.

Rapid Transit Winter Biking Guide

"Will people still ride their bikes this winter?" I wondered.

I was driving back from Florida, and was filling up my rental car somewhere around Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where the marquee advertised gas at $1.99 per gallon. While it is unlikely that we will see gas prices like these in Chicago, it is undeniable, that, at least for the moment, they are going down. Before I returned my rental, I filled it up at $2.67, and later that afternoon, the same gas station posted a price of $2.58.
In case you haven't figured it out, high gas prices are great for the urban bicycle shop, like Rapid Transit. When they start falling, especially at the same time as mercury does, we worry.
A little.
Bicycle retailing is an emotional business. Two months ago, a line at our counter was several layers thick. Today, hours may go by before anyone enters the store. Is it the weather, or the price of gas?
More rationally speaking, we know from experience, that many people will continue to use their bikes without regard for the price of gas, and despite the weather.
Unlike fluctuating gas prices, winter weather cannot be disregarded by the winter cyclist in these latitudes. For you, brave souls, I have compiled what I hope is some useful winter cycling advice in one convenient spot: right here.

• Why ride in winter in the first place? 10 great reasons, courtesy of RocBike.
• Think it's cold here? Here's a kick you in the butt for you.
• Some winter riding essentials.
• What would your mother say? Advice on keeping warm. And some more.
• A story about winter riding hazards, and some other things (like tires).
• Tips on how to keep your bike in good shape this winter.
• If you're gonna ride your bike in Chicago this winter, you'll need service. This is it.

(Photo from Dingbat)

I fought the trend and the trend won

It is perhaps always a little dispiriting when you find that an idea or concept you've quietly nurtured and fostered with devotion suddenly becomes the center of a trend. It's hard not to feel a little bit envious of its success. After all, weren't you one of the reasons that the idea became so popular? And, don't you feel that the new people coming into the conversation somehow don't have as much right to speak on the topic as you do? Since they haven't gone to the school of hard knocks, like you have?

I was on the verge of saying, with my friend Kim, "I am so over you, bike commuting!" I stood by you when you were the ugly stepchild of the bike industry. I insisted that you were practical, viable, and good for our health. I maintained that you offered a way to take the road less traveled, that did not include a large financial commitment to a chunk of steel and its insatiable appetite for fossil fuels. It was an important job, and you did it well.

But lately, my sometime friend, you have become too big for your cycling knickers. No doubt, this has a lot to do with how popular you've become. Everyone wants to hang out with you. But will they still remember you when the trend passes? And then, will you turn to fall back on your old friends?
Wait a minute.

When the trend passes? Who says it's going to pass?  Wasn't this what we, the quiet, relentless advocates of utilitarian cycling were hoping for? Now that cycling is enjoying the limelight, driving clothing design, appearing on bus-stands and billboards, and becoming part of our everyday vocabulary, there is a good chance that the "trend" will actually stick. That it will evolve seamlessly from a trend into an integral part of our culture.

Why, then, the pang of regret? If I'm honest with myself, I will admit that I fear being displaced by the new, exciting stuff, and maybe not be able to keep up. It is easier to say bah, humbug! to something new and unfamiliar, that to go out there and get to know it. It is an inevitable fact of life that new ideas flow over the old, and eventually displace them. But the important thing to keep in mind, I've realized, is that we are not talking about displacement of fundamental values. We're only talking about a radical makeover of their outward manifestations.

This realization came to me as I attended the industry bike fashion show at Interbike Expo last night. As the music pounded under my feet, cameras flashed all around, and models swooshed down the runway in an assortment of whimsical fashions and atop bicycles of every conceivable ilk, I realized that I must rejoice in the bike culture whose seeds have been sown and are now sprouting abundantly all around me. That I must throw aside my ideas of bike commuting being something that goes against the grain of society, and realize that society now has to go with the flow of the growing cycling culture. That I must make sure that my store, and I myself, reconcile the idea of bike commuting as serious business with all that is fun, offbeat, fresh, creative and inventive about it.
When I return to Chicago, I plan to get a helmet in a color I've never tried before. And bright, obnoxious panniers for my groceries. And pull on a flouncy dress for my cycling trips. And decorate my bike with daisies.
No, bike commuting, I'm not over you. I'm into you more than ever.

Interbike: who are we, and where are we going?

So, I didn't think Las Vegas had any real wildlife, but today, I was proven wrong:

This guy was hanging out in the driveway of our hotel. We admired and photographed him/her (they're hermaphrodites, you know), moved him/her gingerly onto a scant patch of greenery, before proceeding to our real destination, the annual bicycle trade show extravanganza, the Interbike Expo.

The schizophrenia of this industry was immediately apparent as I entered the giant, product-filled hall. Let me begin with the idea that holding tradeshow for the health-conscious, environmentally-minded, green and sustainable industry that bicycling is, in a town like Las Vegas, is in itself preposterous. Every year, dealers and vendors alike plead for holding the convention in a bicycle-friendly city, and perhaps one with some beauty and nature surrounding it, such as Denver, Portland, perhaps Minneapolis, and every year the convention organizers force us to visit the city of sin.

Here are a few more examples of and industry in search of personality. These two sights were literally across the walkway from each other:

A wholesome idea. No?

I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

Of course this year, just like last, everyone is on the bike commuting bandwagon. Including Louis Garneau, not necessarily a company known for its consistent commitment to utilitarian cycling.

So they threw some "commuter friendly" fashions into their clothing line...

...added a commuter bag...

... and, voila, you have a commuter line!

Never mind that the real urban commuters, who actually ride their bikes on real streets, in real traffic, and in real weather, would have to be nuts to spend, what, 85 bucks on the little plaid skort just to define their ordinary daily activity as "commuting". And that those bag handles would make the bags really easy to swipe if someone happened to really like them while you were waiting at the stoplight.

Not to pick on this particular company. I'm sure they do some stuff really well. And they are certainly not the only ones who seek to define bike commuting as some sort of a trend or fashion. Look at this smiling, happy person. Do you actually know any bike commuters who look like this?!

Nah, they're much more gritty than that. Their clothes are not always so clean from being on the road so much. That's why they don't indulge in frivolus bike fashions, except serious weather gear. But that doesn't mean they want junk. They want thoughtfully designed stuff that's made for the way bike commuting actually works and feels. Like this:

A real beauty from Civia cycles. Three or nine-speed versions are available. Beautiful, spare frame, full racks, bamboo accessories add a touch of style. Hey, I'm not saying it has to be dowdy. In fact, style is a big part of bike commuting. But style that derives from real functionality is different than a mere trend.

Like these bags from Detours, made from juice cartons recycled by a women-owned coop in the Philipines. They work well, look good, and support a good cause.

(Stay tuned for more on bags, I'll do a separate post.)

The bike industry seems to be torn on what to make of the growing popularity of bike commuting. Everyone seems to want to capitalize on it, only they are not sure how to do it. Bike commuters have an image problem, which they themselves inadvertently helped to create. They are not perceived by the bike industry as real cyclists. Read: they are not perceived by the bike industry as having money to spend. What happens as a result is that products made for commuters are often cheap and flimsy, and offer a certain urban "look" rather than true utility.

Where much of the industry is missing the boat is the fact that urban commuters are willing to spend money where it counts. Like the example I mentioned earlier: foul weather clothing. Other examples are lights and bags. And, of course, the bikes themselves. Bikes that hold up through the rigors of daily use.

A few bike and accessory companies, usually ones where the owners and/or employees actually use their own bicycles for transport and utility, understand this, and they tend to make ther truly useful products for the bicycle commuter that are engineered with specific functions in mind. Those products are not cheap, but they tend to also not be disposable.

I am here in Vegas to find these products. The products from companies that understand that bike commuting is not a trend.

Suited for commuting? Yes!

Any bike, really, any bike, is suited for commuting.

OK. I'll make a couple of exceptions. A bike that is very highly specialized for a particular type of use, such as road racing, track racing, triathalon, downhill racing, etc. is less well-suited to commuting. That doesn't mean one can't commute on it. However, chances are that you've spent too much money on a bike like that to give it a beating on the streets of Chicago.

But let's examine some more common types of bicycles, and take look at ways they are particularly well-suited to urban travel:

Hybrids

I firmly believe that were it not for the invention of the hybrid bike, urban cycling in the US would not be what it is today. Thanks to their versatility, utility and ease of use, hybrid bikes made urban biking accessible and convenient for all. And, unlike bicycle shop personnel, and other nutty enthusiasts, most normal people tend to only own one bicycle. For these normal people, a hybrid is a great choice, because it adapts well to a variety of uses. Hybrids usually offer a fairly upright (or adjustable) sitting position, and come equipped with smooth street tires. They readily accept racks and fenders, and are increasingly available with commuter-specific accessories. Though many hybrids focus on comfort at a reasonable price, performance models are also available.

Folding Bikes

If ordinary bikes give you freedom to move around the city with ease and sidestep traffic woes, folding bikes crank that freedom up another notch. For the urban commuter, they offer the ultimate in versatility and flexibility, allowing you to combine biking with transit, taxi cabs, and giving you access to storage and security options unavailable to standard bikes. Because they are easy to store at home or at the office, and relatively easy to take in and out of buildings,they never need to be locked outside. They fit a wide variety of riders, and can be shared by members of the same household, or loaned to out-of-town visitors. And that's just for local commuting. For the traveler with a folding bike, the world is your oyster.

3-Speeds and Cruisers (including thrift-store finds).

Inexpensive, even cheap, tough, low maintenance no-frills transportation. Because these bikes have completely enclosed gearing and braking systems, they are highly weather-resistant. If you are not too concerned about speed, a basic bike of this sort will carry you dependably over just about any distance in the city. In style.

Recumbents

Unsurpassed for comfort, period. This characteristic makes recumbents fabulous for longer commutes, especially for those who use cycling paths. Additionally , recumbents allow us to fill the needs of those customers who would not be well-served by a standard upright bike. We are approached by people who are older, who have had to give up cycling because of back or other injuries, or who cannot get comfortable on a standard bike for reasons of their own.
But let me dispel the notion that recumbents are for the aged and infirm. The main reason our customers are attracted to recumbents is because they combine good ergonomics and high performance with spectacular success. They are very fast, and thus capable of keeping up with motorized traffic in many urban situations. They are also surprisingly visible, which makes them great for people who want to draw attention to themselves. For even more visibility, and weather protection, use a front fairing.

"City bikes" (including European bikes and their look-alikes)

Perfected for daily urban use by millions of European bike commuters, such bikes offer simple, weather-protected gearing and braking mechanisms and durable, often heavy construction. They are made to be ridden in ordinary street clothes, in a very upright, dignified position, allowing for good view of the road. These bikes usually include commuting essentials, such as fenders, chain guards, racks, locking devices, dynamo lights and bells.

Touring and Cyclocross bikes

These lend themselves well to longer commutes, giving the rider a more athletic and efficient riding position and multiple hand positions thanks to the drop bars. Though not as light as performance road bikes, they are still built for fast-paced riding, and sturdy enough to carry significant loads. They are durable and versatile, with wider frame clearances to accept a wide variety of urban tires, and eyelets for easy installation of fenders and racks. They typically come with stockier wheelsets that can withstand the beating they'll get on potholes.

Single-Speed Road bikes

Ideal for the minimalist urban commuter; light, fast, uncluttered; easily thrown over the shoulder for the fourth-floor walk-up. If you install a light fender set, skip a rack and carry a messenger backpack instead, you'll have the quintessential no-frills personal transportation bike. (Stay tuned: Rapid Transit will be rolling out it's own line of RT Bikes just like this, handmade by Waterford).

Trail bikes and Hardtail Mountain bikes


(Yes, this is a mountain bike. Take my word for it. It's mine.)
For many riders, there is no bike as comfortable as a mountain bike. The smaller wheels and tighter main triangle of these bikes give the rider a different type of control in stop-and-go city traffic. These make great, tough, bouncy urban vehicles once you change out the knobby tires. It you don't actually ride off-road too much, throw on some fenders and a rack. You can also lock out the front suspension if you want a little more control on a city street.

A word about quality
Within any of the above categories, there is a wide range of quality and prices. Most bikes are not priced higher simply for prestige. The differences may not be obvious to an untrained eye, and that's why as a bike shopper, you'll want to put yourself in the hands of trustworthy bike shop personnel. Generally, they should be able to explain to you what upgrades in frame materials and construction, wheel construction and components you get as you go up the price ladder, and what the benefits of those upgrades are to you as a rider. You, in turn, need to honestly assess your riding needs, and evaluate if those upgrades are simply icing, or indispensable for your demanding commute.

A word about department store bikes
Bike shop personnel are notorious for looking down their noses at mass-merchant bikes. Yet the reality is that mass merchants put bikes withing reach of people who could not otherwise afford them. As I said above, any bike can be used for commuting. But before you buy any type of bike, take the time to honestly and thoroughly evaluate your cycling needs: the frequency and distance of your commute, potential savings over other transit options, maintenance costs, accessories, etc. If you go through this process, you may discover that the initial savings on a department store bike are more than offset by higher maintenance cost over a couple of seasons of use.

Having said this, I would just like to add that the kind of bike you ride does not make you a cyclist. It's the act of riding that does.

It's how you use it

Wouldn't life be boring if all bikes looked the same?

As a retailer, the thing I really like about catering to bike commuters here in Chicago, is the diversity of bikes they use for that purpose. There are probably as many types of commuter bikes as there are bike commuters.
People in other countries have it easy. Because in countries like Denmark and the Netherlands cycling has long been accepted as a preferred mode of urban transit, there is a type of commuter bike that is sensible, practical and readily available. In the US, urban cycling, utilitarian cycling, bike commuting, cycling for transportation (whatever you call it) was for many years relegated to the fringes of the cycling industry. This does not mean that there were no bike commuters in this country. It's just that there were no commuter bikes. Thus, those of us who ride for transportation have had to adapt. Adapt our bikes, to be specific.

When we first opened Rapid Transit Cycleshop in 1994, with the intent of making it a commuter bike shop, we were excited to have some Bridgestone city bikes on our floor. Alas, the company folded its US operations and took their quirky designs away. Whenever we went to trade shows or met with sales reps, we talked their ears of about the need for a practical urban bike, and they nodded their heads and rolled their eyes: "not in this country!..."

So, we too, adapted.  And all along we went against the grain of the industry bent on squeezing more gears into the rear triangle, and more suspension into the front fork. We adapted these bikes to the way our customers actually used them. And now, finally, commuting & urban bikes have come into their own, and command a substantial chunk of product developers’ energy and budgets.

The new widely available urban hybrids are proliferating so fast, the manufacturers are at a loss for what to call them. Hybrid? Comfort? City? Urban? Asphalt? Concrete? Whatever you call them , the new generation of urban commuters is clearly interested. These bike offer off-the-shelf utility  at a reasonable price. The European bikes are starting to build a fiercely loyal following for their tough, dependable construction and practical, no-frills accessories.

But the tradition of adapting a variety of bikes for urban travel is well established in Chicago. So, to the question "what is the best commuter bike?", I still answer "it's the one that's best for you."
That doesn't mean that I will not give you pointers on selecting a bike that is right for you. Try a few of these steps:

• Determine where and how often you will be using your bike. This, together with your income will help you make a decision about your price range.
• When deciding on your budget, it's nice to allow a little extra for modifications and accessories necessary for your commute (but see below).
• Think about how the bike will be used. Will it be a dedicated urban bike? Will you want to tour? Will you ride on trails? Will you wear a skirt? Professional clothes? Carry children? Heavy loads? Will you have to store your bike in a small space or carry it up the stairs? Will you be locking it in a public place for most of the day? Will you be combining biking with public transit? will you want to travel with your bike? Anything else?
• Don't buy a bike form the shop that has the lowest price. If you really plan to use your bike for transportation, find a shop where you feel comfortable, supported and confident in their expertise and quality of service. If possible, find a shop that hires bike commuters.
• Make sure the bike fits and is comfortable. Before you purchase a bike, make sure you have the opportunity to try riding it (and a few others) outside.
• Be ready to change. With the help of the shop staff, establish what modifications, substitutions and accessories will be necessary to really fit your needs.
• Don't let your limited budget keep you from using your bike. As long as your bike is safe and comfortable for you to ride, you can use it for transportation. Get the must-have gear, such as a lock and helmet, but put off the whistles and bells until you can comfortably afford them. If your shop makes you feel bad about the bike you ride, look for another shop.

Ultimately, what defines a commuting bike is not what it is, but how it is used. Transportation bikes rarely look pristine. They have a well-worn look and are sometimes wrapped in tape (duct or reflective), covered with stickers, scratched and nicked. They have fenders. Racks. Carriers: panniers, milk crates, even plastic wastepaper bins, are a sure sign that the owner carries stuff on the bike. Modifications. It is rare that someone who rides more than occasionally is perfectly happy with the bike exactly as it came out of the factory. Commuting cyclists frequently change tires, saddles, handlebars, stems, pedals, you name it, on their bikes.

If you commute in Chicago, you have character. Let your bike reflect that.

Bike if you want to

With Labor Day weekend around the corner, summer seems to be drawing to a close.

In fact, there are still more than three weeks of summer left on the calendar.  And even after that ends, Chicago often experiences some of the best cycling weather of the year. Fall days can be sunny, mild, or pleasantly cool, and turn the sweat-drenched cycling of the summer months into a truly refreshing experience.

Don't see yourself as a bike commuter? That's OK. I happen to believe that you do not have to "become" anything if you just want to try riding your bike. My mother-in-law and her 80-year-old husband recently started riding their bikes to the grocery store. I don't think they ever stopped to figure out if they are "bike commuters".

The best tip I have for riding a bike is to do it when you want to. Here are some other tips for incorporating biking into your routine this season and through the fall:

• Keep your bike where it's easily accessible, with all your gear near at hand (helmet and lock at a minimum). This will reduce the frustration of trying to find a key item when you're in a hurry to get out the door.
• Carry a backpack. It will turn any bike trip into a potentially productive one without a major investment.
• Don't bite off more that you can chew. Rather than trying to build your whole day around the bike, start by planning short trips: post office, library, coffee shop, small shopping errand.
• If you were planning a major shopping expedition, see if instead there are a few things you can pick up locally, and put off the big trip until you have to be out with the car for another reason.
• If you are traffic-averse, ride your bike to places you can reach using small neighborhoods streets.
• If needed, give yourself a small push once in a while.

Here's the thing: just because you drove your car or got on the bus today doesn't mean you can't ride your bike tomorrow. Conversely, if you ride your bike today, It doesn't mean you have to cycle everywhere for the rest of your life. It only means that you will use your bike sometimes, when it makes sense to you. Personally, I am much more likely to use my bike if there is no external pressure on me to do so, such as a guilt-trip from someone who cycles more than I do.

Could Chicago look like this?

Today, I am recycling some of my favorite images from last year's trip to San Francisco: the DuBoce Bike Mural.

Chicago is becoming a city of cyclists, and as more and more drivers give biking a try, I believe attitudes will change, and the use, enjoyment and safety of bicycles on the streets of our town will grow. Since biking (and walking) encourages closer contact with our surroundings and fellow humans, I hope this will lead to creating stronger and more engaged urban communities within the city.

Here are some efforts underway to turn Chicago into a more livable city:
Bike 2015 Plan
Bloomingdale Trail
Healthy Streets Campaign