Route Planning Tips

The Bike Month ICT Planning Group is made up of cyclists like you.  And although great strides have been made with Wichita’s cycling infrastructure, there is still some work to be done.  The idea of biking to and from work, school, or wherever can be a little daunting and intimidating. When planning to navigate the city on your trusty 2-wheeled steed, planning your route is very important.

 

City infrastructure, in general, was not intended for cyclists. Often times, cycling infrastructure is put in as an afterthought and with minimal foresight or effort. This often leads to disconnected, poorly thought out bike lanes and routes that lead to dangerous situations for cyclists. But, with proper planning it can be a relatively stress-free and safe adventure!

1. Observe

Once you’ve dedicated yourself to giving it a go, start observing the streets around you. Biking somewhere is not a straight line path like driving somewhere is. Often times, you will find the streets you normally drive to work, would be absolutely horrible for a cyclist.

So, firstly, observe and assess your driven route. Is it cycling friendly?

2. Research

If your normally traveled route is not cycling friendly, Google Maps is your friend. Use it identify bike lanes, bike shared streets, bike trails that may run parallel to your desired route.

3. Practice runs

After you’ve identified a potentially safe route, next time you drive to work, think about leaving a little early and driving your new potential route.  Does it seem safe?  Please allow yourself plenty of time to wander.  If you rush through your potential route, you may become the hazard that other pedestrians are trying to avoid.  🫤

4. Other things to consider

-The parking situation

Have you taken the time to scope out where you’re actually going to park your bike during your work day?  Does your facility have a secure bike rack you can secure your bike to?  Do you have a good bike lock?  Being cheap on your bike lock will not do you any favors in the long run.  A quick Google search can lead you to articles of organizations that have taken the time to test out bike locks and will help point you to a good option.  Alternatively, do you have your own office or other space where you could safely store a bike indoors?  What is your facility’s policy on bringing a bike inside?

-The sweat situation

Cycling to work can lead to a fair amount of sweat, especially on those warm muggy days!  🥵🤮 How are you planning to address this?  One option is to leave yourself plenty of time so that you can go at a more comfortable pace.  Another option is showering and/or changing clothes.  Cycling clothing can help to keep you cooler, but can be cost prohibitive.  Find a good solution for your particular situation.

 

-Lights

If your day may require you to ride at dusk, dawn, or darker, lights are invaluable.  Not only does it help you see, it helps motorists see YOU!  Wichita streets may not be well lit, and when riding a bicycle, debris in the road may cause you to wipe out.  Think about investing in some quality lights if you’ll consistently be riding at night.

 

Disconnected cycling infrastructure means you will probably be on the street with motorists at some point in Wichita.  Coupled with poor street lighting & poorly maintained streets, this can be a dangerous combination for cyclists.   Make sure you can see, and others can see you to make your trip as safe as possible.  And if you really get going, remember to never outride your light (never ride faster than the illuminated area in front of you will allow you to react)!

 

-Weather and the wind!!!

As a motorist, high wind advisories may not mean much to you.  You may opt to modify your planned outfit or put your hair in a ponytail instead of investing all morning getting it perfect.  But as a motorist, if you have a 20 mph wind blowing at you (headwind), you will just push the gas pedal a little harder with your big toe as you putt along to work and not think much of it.

 

As a cyclist though, morning news reports on what the weather will be like that day, may require a complete change of kit, or having to allow yourself more time to get to work, or completely opting out of riding that day because of health risks.  In fact, most advisories will have much more of an impact on you as a cyclist.  Wind advisory?  Check.  Heat advisory?  Check.  Smoke advisory?… you get the picture.  Make sure to check the weather at the beginning of the day to see what weather is going to be like on your ride to and from work!

 

-Flat tires

At the very least, every cyclist should have an air pump, tire levers, and patch kit or spare tube.  The patch kit generally includes patches, glue, a scuffing pad, and some may include a small piece of crayon to mark where your puncture is.  A microscopic hole may be hard to identify in the field, a better option may be to throw in the spare and fix the puncture at home.  Finding a puncture in a sink filled with water is a lot easier to visualize.  Make sure to check the inside of your tire for any remaining debris that may have punctured your first tube prior to placing your replacement tube.

 

Watch a Youtube video on how to change a bicycle tire and get familiar with your bike.  Does your bike have quick release skewers, or are your axles bolted on?  If they’re bolted, you may need to take a wrench with you so that you can even get your tire off the frame.  There are cycling specific wrenches that pressed pieces of steel that are lighter and take up less space so you can more easily carry with you.  Another type of axle attachment is called a “thru-axle”.  This type of axle may require a hex wrench to unscrew.  Again, get familiar with your bike and the general maintenance of it so that you’re not stuck calling a friend to pick you up, or worst case, hiking your bike the rest of the way home.  Neither option is very fun… 😬

 

-Packing

Now that you’ve done everything above and feel confident in your plan, you may also consider rehearsing how you’re going to pack everything the morning of your ride.  Are you going to put your tools in your saddle bag? frame bag? top tube bag? pannier? in a back pack?

 

Quick word on back packs. It is quick and efficient way of taking things.  However, when using it for cycling, you will very likely end up with a bunch of back sweat!  🤮  This could leave the back of your outfit soaked.  If it’s a long grueling ride, may even soak through the backpack and onto whatever you’ve packed. Just something to keep in mind.

 

What about your lock, where are you going to put that?  How about your clothes?   How are you going to get those to your final destination?  If you currently drive to work and that is your planned destination, maybe take an outfit the day before.  Don’t forget the deodorant! 

 

Are you planning on taking a prepped meal with you for lunch?  If you ride to work, you will not have the option of driving to go get some fast food!  Even if your food is in a tupperware container, I always recommend wrapping it in a plastic bag (without holes) before throwing into a backpack or other.

 

After you’ve done all the planning and prep, REMEMBER TO TAKE IT WITH YOU!!  The amount of frustration and disappointment in yourself is immense when you’ve taken all the steps, but left something on the dining room table, like your bike lock or flat tire repair kit.  😞  If this is your first time, it may be a little time consuming and require a fair amount of thought, but after a little practice and habit building, it does get easier!

 

Good luck!  And above all, STAY SAFE!