Modern bicycles have been around for 140 years. However, you don’t need to wear a bowler hat and spats to work or play via bicycle – frames are sleeker, speeds are greater, helmets are lighter. Similarly, biking resources have evolved with the times – a search of Google Books reveals that “bicycle safety” started appearing in print in the mid-1930s. Gone are the days of the “six-page mimeographed pamphlet.” Now, you can access bike safety information in searchable databases, videos, PDFs, interactive maps, and of course, physical clubs, stores, and volunteer groups. There’s never been a better time to be a bicyclist!
Here is a list of online resources for Utah ‘cyclers.
The Utah State Legislature has their complete legislation searchable by keyword and code online. Searching for “bicycle” brings up hundreds of relevant bills. The language can be dense, but should be your go-to guide to know your rights and responsibilities.
UDOT’s Bicycle Commuter Guide is an extensive practical outline of what you need to do to commute to work via bike. It outlines the health perks, environmental benefits (anyone experiencing this winter’s inversion can see the necessity of greener transportation, and nothing is as green as biking!), and day-to-day considerations. For instance, if you bike to work, it’s a good idea to keep a wardrobe of suits, trousers/skirts, ties/sweaters, and dress shoes – and it can be a good idea to use a dry cleaner’s near your workplace. After these helpful tips, Utah’s legal code as it pertains to bicycles is outlined in layperson’s language.
The Utah Department of Health’s Violence and Injury Prevention Program has several links regarding bicycle safety. Their section on helmet use is particularly extensive, highlighting Utah’s usage rates, how to properly fit a helmet, and helmet laws.
The League of American Bicyclists has a Share the Road page outlining both bicyclists’ and motorists’ rights and responsibilities. Tips for bikers include to wear a helmet, keep to the right side of the road, to ride predictably, and be visible. Auto drivers are advised to yield to cyclists, pass with car, and yield to children. Other pages on their site have links for education, advocacy, and membership in the league.
UDOT’s bicycle suitability state map outlines which major roads and highways are available to bicyclists. You can find out shoulder width, who controls a highway, and which roads are restricted (I-15 in the Wasatch Front being a chief example).
The Salt Lake City Police Department has information about safety, helmets, and bike paths. For those who are audiovisual learners, they have a two-part embedded educational YouTube video.
The Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective has as its aims advocacy of, promotion of, and access to refurbished bicycles. They especially focus their efforts on children the low-income community. Very important work, as Utah’s Health Department studies have shown that these groups are among the lowest in their rate of helmet usage, and therefore most at risk for accidents.
The Salt Lake City Pocket Guide to Bicycle Laws is a great, condensed version of bike laws for busy commuters and recreational riders on the go. It’s printable, fits on one page, and an extremely handy reference for everything from hand signaling, making left turns, and which downtown sidewalks prohibits bicyclists.
Bicycling magazine ranked Salt Lake City #26 in its list of America’s top bike-friendly cities: great news! Ridership was boosted 27% from 2010 to 2011, and the magazine outlines other fantastic ways which Utah’s capital has found to promote shared lanes and new bike lanes.
Bike SLC is a treasure trove for residents of Utah’s largest city. Safety tips, a list of paved trails, reports of new green transit projects (for instance, the SugarHouse streetcar) and perhaps most importantly, a city bike map. You can even request maintenance or a bike rack!
LiveStrong has pages on teaching bike safety to kids. As fewer and fewer young people, especially girls, take the opportunity to ride to school or a friend’s house, it’s important to get kids on bikes, wearing helmets, and stay physically fit.
Whether you’re biking in redrock country, City Creek canyon, or a busy downtown thoroughfare, Utah has spectacular scenery and bike-friendly cities. Christensen & Hymas urge you to request a FREE Bike Accidents book – whether you’re riding a penny-farthing, mountain bike, or fixie.