Since May is National Bike to Work Month, now is the time to try commuting by bike. Whether to work or school, biking can save time & gas, reduce stress, and raise your energy. 

The biggest challenge to commuting by bike is gathering the guts to try it. Though starting a bike commute can be a difficult move, after some practice it is actually quite manageable.

Make your first commute easier with these tips for beginners:

• Start slow and short. If you live a good distance away, consider biking part of the way at first. The remaining distance can be covered by bus, carpool, ect. Have a route mapped out before you start, with available bus lines every so often. Once you get more used to biking, you can build up to biking all the way.

• Do a dry-run on the weekend before you try biking to work. This can give an idea of the time and energy the commute will take without the pressure of arriving on-time. And it lets you get to know your bike before you have to rely on it.

• Wear a helmet! As the single-most important item of biking gear, this is very important. Other protective gear can be helpful, but you should never go on a bike without this piece of equipment. It's protection is even worth the worst potential kind of helmet-hair, so no excuses!

• Bright clothing helps you stay visible to cars and pedestrians. This doesn't have to be neon biking pants; a reflective vest or colorful shirt will do. And if your commute in the dark, think about adding a flashing bike light. 

• Find a biking buddy who knows how to commute by bike. A seasoned partner is an invaluable resource, and many bike shops have employees who will offer to ride with new bikers.

• Carry a pack, or drop one off ahead of time if you're worried about looking fresh at work or school. Some essentials to add: a change of clothes, facial wipes, and a comb.

Biking In Seattle

OK, I can't be the SPU student to watch this skit of Portlandia and immediate think of my own neighborhood. And I can't be the only one who has been nearly run off the road by the Seattle bikers, especially around the Fremont Bridge and the Ballard Bridge (the latter of which where I had my arm sharply bruised by a bicycle handle last spring).

Though I commend Seattle's efforts to make the city more bike-friendly, I also worry about some of the unintended consequences. More bicyclists mean more congested trails and bike lanes, which is breeds bicycle road rage. I have often seen bicyclists around SPU react rudely to cars and pedestrians alike. While I support their efforts to reduce vehicle emissions by leaving the car at home, getting constantly yelled at by these bikes infuriates me.

This seems to be a growing concern with the residents and the city of Seattle. The Seattle Bike Blog has posted more than one column advising bicyclists on how to manage their anger on the road.

Of course, many cyclists say that their behavior is a defensive tactic to keep themselves safe from cars, which is another problem facing the Seattle streets.

My main problem with this issue is that aggressive people on the road -- regardless of their mode of transportation -- make me want to avoid the more vulnerable modes of walking and biking. And it is such a shame that I can't fully enjoy my city because of a few jerks.

To make the roads safer for everyone, we really only need to follow some simple etiquette rules for cyclists and pedestrians:

• Always pass on the left, using bells and voices to alert those in front of you
• Walkers and slow-moving bikes stay to the right and allow others to pass
• Be alert and aware of others around you
• Travel at a safe speed, slowing down to meet the conditions of the road/trail
• Mutual respect for those on the road

Riding defensively is one thing, but entitled riding is another.

What are some solutions you have for making pathways and streets safer for SPU students?