Biking in Evanston and Chicago isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Urban and suburban biking is all about accommodating the dense population of pedestrians, drivers and other bikers. Bikers should be aware of the general rules of the road as well as Evanston’s specific bicycle ordinances.
Communication
Communication is key when riding in and around Evanston. The Illinois State Police recommends that all bikers use hand signals when changing speed or direction. Extend your left arm horizontally at least 100 feet before turning left, and do the same with your right arm before making a right. When you slow down to a stop, extend your arm downward. It also won’t hurt to make eye contact with nearby pedestrians or drivers. As enjoyable as it may be to listen to music, Evanston forbids the use of any device that impedes awareness while biking.
Where to Ride
Bicyclists are not allowed on the sidewalks in Evanston’s central business district and they must yield to pedestrians even when they are permitted on sidewalks. The best place to bike is the far right side of the street, making sure to leave enough room between you and parked cars to avoid getting “doored.” Take advantage of bike lanes on Church and Davis, or western Emerson, Asbury and Dodge for longer rides.
In and Out of Traffic
A confident bicyclist needs to know how to make a left turn. It may sound easy, but it means cutting through his or her own lane of traffic as well as the opposite lane. First check to make sure there’s nothing ahead to throw you off the bike so you can check your blind spot. Hold the handlebars slightly to the right to offset the natural curve as you pivot to the left and check on traffic behind your bike. Cross into the center of the street, using it as a left-turn lane, and take a left when there’s a gap in oncoming traffic.
Bike Maintenance
Once Evanston thaws, it’ll be tempting to hop on a bike for a nice spring ride. But before you go, the League of American Bicyclists recommends the ABC Quick Check. This will ensure that your tires, brakes and chain mechanism are all performing up to par so you can avoid any surprising storage-related mishaps.
A: Air pressure – Your bike’s tires may have deflated a bit during the winter, whether you can tell by squeezing them or not. Printed on the sidewall of the tire is the recommended air pressure, so alternate between using a pressure gauge and a bike pump ($10 to $30 on Amazon) to get the tire pressure just right for a ride.
B: Brakes – Can you squeeze your brake levers all the way to the handlebars? If so, your brake pads are either too loose or too worn down to stop effectively. Make sure there’s a half-inch of brake pad left and at least one inch between the brake levers and the handlebar. If your brakes need adjusting, either tighten the screws and bolts yourself, or just bring your bike to a local bike shop like Bucephalus Bikes or The Pony Shop for expert care.
C: Cranks, chain and cassette – A properly functioning bike must have tight crankarms (aka the parts that keep the pedals attached to the chain mechanism), a chain that is clean and lubed and a cassette that allows you to cycle through all of your gears without losing the chain. As a rule of thumb, if it’s a moving part, make sure it’s tight.
Quick Releases
The quick release is there to hold your wheel on your bike, so keep it tight, secure and pointed back so that nothing catches it while you’re on the road. Check It Over Give your bike a final once-over just to make sure nothing is loose, and take a short ride to ensure that the brakes will stop the bike at low speeds. Once your bike has passed the ABC Quick Check, you’re ready to ride.