The Urban Cyclist's Survival Guide [size fix]

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Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 History Famous People on Bikes In the Beginning High-Wheelers and Safety Cycles Racing The Bicycle Finds itself 2 Fitness Can Cycling Really Make You Healthier? Can Cycling Really Help You Lose Weight? Okay That Sounds Good, but Don't Other Activities Have More Benefits? Running Doesn't Cost as Much as Cycling. Why shouldn't i run? What About Swimming? But That Means That I'll Have to Buy a Bike is That All? It Seems Like a lot of Effort A Final Question 3 Bike Buying Selection Serviceable Options Touring Mountain Bikes Hybrids City Cycles Fixed-Gear and Other Bikes Fold-Ups Steel versus Aluminum (versus Composite) Big Box versus Specialist In the Shop Bike Fitting 4 Helmets 1. Why Wear a Helmet? 2. Will Helmets Guarantee Your Safety? 3. How Do Helmets Work? 4. What's the Right Fit? 5. What's the Best Place to Shop for a Helmet? 6. Can You Leave a Helmet Outside? 7. Can You Take More Chances with a Helmet? 8. How Do You know That Your Helmet Is Safe? Who Certifies Helmets? 9. What's the Argument Against Helmets? 10. Why Don't the Dutch Wear Helmets? 11. How Many Brands Are There? What Are the Prices? 12. Are Expensive Helmets Better Than Cheaper Ones? 13. What's Hip in Helmets? 14. Are Hip Helmets Safe? 15. Do You Have Any Anecdotes About Helmets saving a life? 5 Accessories Reflectors Lights Your Tool kit Pumps Fender Guards Bells kickstands Seats Water Bottles Computers Smartphone Applications 6 Clothes You Spent What on an Outfit? Bike Clothes.. .but Not Overdoing It Protecting Your Trousers, er, Pants You Could Do Nothing Special at All 7 Chains and Locks Cost Transportability How Many locks? What's the Best Way to Lock up Your Bike? Securing Other Parts of Your Bike Registries and Social Media Final Notes 8 Safety Cycling Don't Be a Weaver or a Threader Follow Traffic Signs and Signals Don't Ride Facing Traffic don't ride Too Far right Scan for Obstacles stop When You need to and Find a safe Haven don't Be Cowed by impatient drivers But Be Courteous Don't Treat Bike Lanes as Security Blankets slow Up if a Bus or Truck speeds Up as you're Trying to Pass Make sure the driver Can see You Don't Pass on the Right, Particularly if It's a Bus or Van Don't Force Things at Intersections ride to the Center of the right lane for right Turns ride to the left to Make a left Turn Go to the Middle of the Right Lane When Going Through an intersection Beware Tracks, raised lane dots, and Grates Brake Gradually Into Downhill Curves Don't Play Follow the Leader report drivers Who Purposely endanger You Jump over deep Potholes 9 Packing Gear and Techniques Panniers Other Bags Baskets Rear Racks Packing 10 Commuting Ride a Bicycle to Work? Getting Started Picking Your Route What Do You Do If You Break Down? How to Handle an Angry Pedestrian What to Wear, What to Bring, Final Checklist 11 Repairs and Maintenance Nuts and Bolts.. .and a Little More Common Maladies and Solutions Flat Tires Jammed or Broken Chain Malfunctioning Brakes keeping the Kickstand Tight Unclean Chain and Frame What to Bring A Final Note: Lube Tuning Up 12 Accidents The Intentional Right Turn to Create Mayhem The Unintentional Right Turn That Creates Mayhem The Left Turn Cut-Off to Create Mayhem The Stop in Front of Your Car The-Timing-Couldn't-Have-Been-Worse Driveway Back out Car edging into Your Lane Garbage Truck Back Up The Door Prize Other Scenarios 13 What to Do When Hit by a Car Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists 14 Cycle Rage 15 Diary of a Commute A Ride to School Driving Cycling Observations Other Rides and Commutes Appendix INTERNET SheldonBrown.com BikeLeague.org NBDA.com Bike snob Twisted spoke Bikeradar.com Bikely.com Bicycling.com/Blogs BikeForums.net Google Maps/Bikes Mapmyride.com MAGAZINES About the Authors