Bicycling for Transportation at UofL

Saddle Up for Bike Month! Spring is the perfect time to rediscover the health-promoting, money-saving and planet-protecting joys of getting around on two wheels. May is Bike Month, so saddle up, Cards! Join or form a UofL team for Louisville’s Bike Month Challenge May 1-16. Log your trips by bike to grab prizes and the coveted golden handlebars at the Bike To Work Day celebration at noon on Friday, May 17th at 4th Street Live! Need a bike? Register to win one, or check one out free any day from Humana Gym or the SAC gym. Join the Louisville Bike Month Challenge! 7:00am May 17th: Bike To Campus Ride! Join the UofL Sustainability Council and Get Healthy Now in celebrating Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17th! This event is aimed at novice riders looking to gain confidence and begin commuting by bike. Guided rides will leave from Tyler Park at 7:00 am and follow low-traffic neighborhood streets to either Belknap Campus or downtown. Riders will have the opportunity to stop at the new Get Healthy Now Wellness Center to re-hydrate and tour the facility. Bagels, coffee, fruit, water, and a gift bag raffle will be available! Details and RSVP here. 11:30am May 17th: Gather at the North Info Center (1st & Brandeis) for a Group Ride from Belknap Campus to Bike To Work Day Celebration at 4th Street Live!

D.I.Y. Bike Fix-It Stations are here! For help with repairs, scan the QR code at the top, or get the Bike Repair App for iPhone.

What All UofL Bike Commuters Should Know

• Biking is fun, healthy, cheap, non-polluting transportation!
• You don’t have to dress funny or buy expensive gear.
• Need a bike, bike repair, or accessories? Find bike shops
  

• Take your bike on any TARC bus and ride free w/UofL ID.

• Plan ahead with these handy bike commuter tips.

• Map a safer, lower-traffic route with Ride The City (below) or get the mobile apps: iPhone, Android

• Find bike lanes, paths, and safer routes throughout Louisville with the new Louisville Bike Map (pdf). Print copies can be found at distribution points around campus, including the SAC and Ekstrom Library.

• Report close calls with vehicles.
• If needed, you can shower at UofL gyms. The Clinical & Translational Research Building (HSC) and Stevenson Hall (Belknap) also have restrooms with showers.
  
• Register your bike with UofL before parking it on campus. This will increase the likelihood of recovery if stolen.
• Lock your bike with a U-lock! Bikes are a common target for theft at UofL, so be sure to lock your ride up securely.
  1. Use a sturdy U-lock rather than a cable or chain which is easier to cut.
  2. Always lock your bike frame to the rack and try to lock the wheels as well.
  3. Use campus bike racks. Do not lock your bike to railings or blocking handicap ramps or exits. Interactive UofL Bike Parking Map
  4. Space in UofL bike racks is limited and they are not intended for long-term storage. According to UofL's Abandoned Bikes Policy, bikes will be periodically impounded by Parking Enforcement after notification is left on the bike. To retrieve a bike from impoundment, call (502) 852-PARK (7275).
• Keep it Rolling! Five Bike Fix-It Stations with basic tools and a pump have been installed on campus (at Humanities, SAC/Red Barn Plaza, SAC Floyd St. entrance, University Tower Apartments and HSC Kornhauser plaza)! For help with repairs, scan the QR code on the Fixit to view detailed instructions, or download the Bike Repair App for iPhone.
  
• Increase your skills and confidence! Whether you're a new or experienced rider, Louisville offers many opportunities for free classes to give cyclists the skills, knowledge, and confidence to ride safely on our roadways:
  1. Get Healthy Now offers employees Safe Cycling Classes
  2. Ride with friends in the Louisville Student Cycling Coalition.
  3. The Louisville Bicycle Club regularly offers New Rider Clinics. See the 2013 schedule. For more details, contact David Wittry at 502-645-0992 or education@louisvillebicycleclub.org.
  4. Bicycling For Louisville provides free Bicycle Superhero Basics classes from time to time. Sign-up here to be notified.

Bike-Share

•   Use your UofL ID to check out a bike, helmet, and lock for free for the day! Bikes are available each day first-come, first-served at:
  • SAC Gym equipment desk (students & employees)
  • Humana Gym (employees & Get Healthy Now members)
  • ULP residence halls such as Community Park (residents only)
• Simply sign a waiver form and return the bike before the end of the day/weekend.
• Those who check out bikes are responsible for any theft/loss/damage.

Avoid Traffic! Map A Safe, Comfortable Route

You can also find bike lanes, paths, and safer routes throughout Louisville with the Louisville Bike Map (pdf).

"I've been biking to and from Belknap campus for 25 years. I'm more reliable than the postman." - Perry Finley, Physical Plant

Ride Safe

1. Ride on streets with the flow of traffic.
2. Bike predictably, signaling turns and using streets as a driver would.
3. Ride in the farthest right lane that serves your destination.
4. Avoid biking on city sidewalks – it’s dangerous and illegal.
5. On campus paths walkers ALWAYS have the right-of-way, so bike slowly and cautiously to avoid startling or hitting them.
6. Be visible – wear light colored or reflective clothes and use front/rear lights.
7. Avoid traffic! Map a safer, (s)lower-traffic route here, or dowload
   the new Louisville Bike Map (pdf).
8. Wear a helmet!
9. Get more bike safety tips , UofL cyclist & pedestrian safety tips, and watch these helpful safety videos!
10. Know Why Crashes Happen:
    

    Who is at fault?	Action	% of Accidents
    Bicyclist	Wrong-way riding facing traffic	14%
    Bicyclist	Left turn from the right side of the road	11%
    Bicyclist	Failure to yield from driveway	9%
    Bicyclist	Running a stop sign or signal	8%
    Bicyclist	Swerving in front of car *	5%
    	Total Bicyclist	47%
    Motorist	Left turn in front of the bicyclist	13%
    Motorist	Right turn in front of the bicyclist	11%
    Motorist	Running a stop sign or signal	8%
    Motorist	Opening car door into path of bicyclist	7%
    Motorist	Failure to yield from driveway	6%
    Motorist	Didn’t see the cyclist *	3%
    	Total Motorist	48%
    	Undetermined	5%
    	* Cyclists hit from behind - only 10% of accidents!

    Source: Mortiz (1996); Kaplan (1974)
    

Helpful Gear

• Helmet
• Sturdy U-lock
  
• Front (white) and rear (red) lights
• Rear rack with panniers (saddlebags)
• Rear-view mirror
• Reflective vest
• Leg band (keeps pant leg clean)
• Water bottle cage with bottle
• Rain jacket and rain pants
• Fenders
• Mini-pump, patch kit, and multi-tool
• Clothes that wick moisture (not cotton)
• Winter: Dress in layers, thermal headband, gloves
  

Interactive Map of Bike Parking at UofL

• RED icons indicate COVERED bike parking.
• BLUE icons indicate exposed bike parking.
• YELLOW Wrench icons indicate Bike Fix-It stations.
• GREEN Bike icons indicate bike-share locations from which bikes can be borrowed.

Overcoming Bike Commuting Excuses

The roads aren't safe
- You are at no greater risk than driving a car.
- Obey traffic signs, ride on the right, signal turns, and stop at lights.
- Wear bright clothing.
- Wear a helmet every time you ride.
- Avoid unsafe roads. Map a safer, lower-traffic route with Ride The City.

I'm out of shape
- Ride at an easy pace; in a few months you will be in great shape.
- Ride your route on a weekend to find the easiest way to get there.
- You will improve your fitness level when you become a regular bike commuter.

I have to run errands
- Bolt a rack to the back of your bike to add carrying capacity.
- Make sure that you have a lock to secure your bike while you are in a building.
- Allow extra time to get to scheduled appointments.
- Take the bus (free with UofL ID) or check-out a car-share vehicle for your errands. UofL launched a new WeCar car-share system!

It takes too long
- The average commuter travels at 10 mph; the more you ride, the faster you will become.
- Trips of less than three miles will be quicker by bike.
- Trips of five to seven miles in urban areas may take the same time or less as by car.

It's too far
- Try riding to work and taking the bus home, then alternating the next day.
- Combine riding and the bus to shorten your commute. All TARC buses have bike racks and it's free with UofL ID.
- Ride to a coworker's house and carpool to work.

I have to dress up
- Keep multiple sets of clothing at work; rotate them on days you drive.
- Have work clothes cleaned at nearby laundromats or dry cleaners.
- Pack clothes with you and change at work; to avoid wrinkles, try rolling clothes instead of folding.

It's raining
- Fenders for your bike and rain gear for your body will keep you dry.
- If you are at work, take transit or carpool to get home; ride home the next day.
- Take transit or drive if you don't have the gear to ride comfortably in the rain.

The Sustainability Council offers free bike tune-ups and training at campus events.

My bike is beat up
- Tell a reputable bike shop that you are commuting and have them tune up your bike.
- Learning to keep your bike running smooth is easier than you might imagine. Check out these great instructional videos for Kentucky riders! kyGREENtv also offers short videos on How to Check Your Bike Before You Ride - Part I (bearings) and Part II (all else).
- Five Bike Fix-It Stations with basic tools and a pump have been installed on campus (at Humanities, SAC/Red Barn Plaza, SAC Floyd St. entrance, University Tower Apartments and HSC Kornhauser plaza)! For help with repairs, scan the QR code on the Fixit to view detailed instructions, or download the Bike Repair App for iPhone.
- If you can't maintain your bike yourself, identify bike shops near your route. Here's a listing of area bike shops.
- Make sure that your bike is reliable and in good working order before you ride.

No bike parking
- Find covered and uncovered racks all over campus with our Interactive UofL Bike Parking Map
- Look around for a storage area in your building or office.
- Stash your bike in a covered, secure place such as a closet or even your office.
- Formally request that your employer provide bike parking or lock it up outside.

No showers
- Most commuters don't shower at work; ride at an easy pace to stay cool and dry.
- If you want a workout, ride home at a fast pace and shower when you get home.
- UofL gyms offer showers if you need them.

(These tips brought to you by the League of American Bicyclists. Get more tips here.)

Get Healthy Now's Safe Cycling Classes!

Stay active with Get Healthy Now's free Safe Cycling classes open to all UofL employees! Safe Cycling will help you to become a cyclist who rides with greater safety and confidence. The classes cover basic bike maintenance, riding skills, rules of the road, and more. The central idea of this class is "Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles." Additional Information: Julia Mackenzie-Rollinson (phone: 852-7755).

Earn-A-Bike Program

UofL students, faculty and staff who are willing to forgo a parking permit for at least two years can apply to earn a $400 bike shop voucher! Applications are accepted each year through the end of the first week of Fall classes. Read story.

UofL Celebrates Bike Month Each May!

• Pedal with the President - an annual ride to campus with President Ramsey for Bike To Work Day from his official residence, Amelia Place (2515 Longest Avenue) to both Belknap campus and HSC.
  - 2012 Pedal With The President (May 10): UofL president, employees bike to work (WKLY). See photos from the 2012 ride!
  - 2011 Bike To Work Day (May 20): 17 UofL employees pedaled with the President. See photos from the 2011 ride. Watch the video for 2011.
  - 2010 Bike To Work Day (May 21):video.
• Louisville Bike Challenge - Various UofL teams participate in this annual challenge designed to encourage people to get out of their cars and ride through a friendly competition of logging trips by bike. Each year, three UofL teams have finished in the top half of the rankings since the Challenge began in 2010! Results of the 2012 Louisville Bicycle Challenge (May 1-17):
  1. Speed School Jeep Dodgers (4th place, 144 trips, 557 miles)
  2. UofL Sustainability Council Crankers (5th place, 133 trips, 300 miles)
  3. UofL Bicyclists (7th place, 68 trips, 202 miles)
  

• Fall 2011 Bike to Work Day: After Mayor Fischer rode his bike to work for National Bike to Work Day on May 20th, 2011, he immediately said, "This is great, we have to do this more often." So, we did. Friday, Sept. 30th, 2011 was Louisville's first ever FALL bike to work day!
• UofL finished fourth (with 135 trips) in Louisville’s first-ever FALL Bike Commuter Challenge September 16-29, 2011. Here is the final scoreboard.

How Bikes Can Save Us

Created by: Healthcare Management Degree