Bicycling is Fun!

20200325

Bicycling proving to be extremely useful during a world pandemic.

Bicycling is Fun!  Really, it is.  Keep that in mind as you learn how to drive your vehicle properly on the roads, because that's where they belong if you're biking for transportation or recreation.  There are plenty of other areas to bike for recreation like mountain bike trails and green-ways and paths.

"Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles" - John Forester

A lot of criticism of the above quote attacks the first part and ignores the second part.  "...treated as drivers of vehicles" as in, full rights AND and responsibilities.

My names is James Reynolds, and I've been a full-time bicycle commuter in Huntsville, Alabama since 1995 (stared part-time in 1991).  Below is a map of just some of where I bicycle.  These are the official bike routes.  The city finally started providing police education about bicycling.  November of 2009 I saw a significant shift in the treatment of bicyclists by citizens and police.  It' so much better than when I started.  I'm not an athlete, I'm not competitive, it's not about speed.  For me it's transportation.  That doesn't mean it can't be fun!

In summer of 2016 I bicycle the Adventure Cycling Associations' Underground Rail Road Route:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/2016_ugrr

If you are interested in bicycle education here in Huntsville or the Madison county area, I am a League Cycling Instructor certified by the League of American Bicyclists.  LCI #3103.  I may be contacted at huntsvillebikecommuter@gmail.com and can direct you to when the next class is available and which LCIs will be instructing.  That email is only for those interested in bicycling education.  Any spam or special offers will be deleted.

First, let's dispel some common myths firmly held that need to be shaken off.  Often these came from authority figures who don't know the real answer themselves.

The best information of busting both bicyclists and motorists myths are at Massbike:

Motorists Myths:

http://sameroadssamerules.org/myths-vs-reality/motorist-myths/

Bicyclist Myths

http://sameroadssamerules.org/myths-vs-reality/cyclists-myths/

both at the excellent http://sameroadssamerules.org/

Other useful websites:

See and Be Seen

http://www.bikehuntsville.com/

This is a link to a video of part of Bicycle Route 60, one of my favorite East to West bicycling routes:

http://www.archive.org/details/jr_20110402_Bike_Route_60_Meridian_St_to_John_Wright_Dr_Huntsville_Alabama

This is a link to a silent video of the 4th Annual Mayor's Bike Ride.

http://archive.org/details/4th_mayors_bike_ride_Huntsville_AL_20120505_raw_footage

and this is a link to a silent video of the 3rd Annual Mayor's Bike Ride

http://www.archive.org/details/jr_20110507_3rd_Annual_Mayors_Bike_Ride_Huntsville_Alabama_01

The following mindmapped HTML file is full of bicycle commuting information and links.

This is the FOLDED versions, so click on the + to unfold or - to fold back.

Huntsville Bicycle Commuter Mindmap_FOLDED.html

This is the UNfolded version, click on the "download" tab to view:

Huntsville Bicycle Commuter Mindmap.html