Make Cycling Safer and More Convenient With An Informal Bicycle Triple A
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 11.24.08
The Need For Roadside Assistance for Cyclists
A recent email I received from the Brown University cycling listserv got me thinking about the need for roadside assistance for cyclists. Last week, two riders on the cycling team were out for a training ride in 30 degree weather when, five miles from home, one of them snapped a chain. They called several people that live in the area, but couldn't find anyone that could come and pick them up, so the other rider had to sprint home, get his car, and rush back to the stranded rider--who was left waiting for half an hour in the cold.
We recently covered a new roadside assistance program for cyclists based in Australia, but the fact of the matter is that there is nothing akin to a AAA for the two-wheeled, human-powered crowd, and there probably won't be anytime soon.
Yet ensuring that should a rider get lost, stranded or injured there will be someone to provide assistance would undoubtedly inspire more people to get on their bikes. This is especially true in winter, when even experienced riders worry about going too far from home, lest they find themselves with a mechanical problem in sub-zero temperatures. So what's one to do? Well, I propose creating an informal, local network of cycling enthusiasts. Here's how it would work.
Create a Local Network
First of all, cycling communities tend to be closely knit, but also balkanized: there's the commuter crowd, the racer crowd, the messenger crowd, and they often don't mix. Creating local networks of cyclists must first and foremost include all cyclists, as well as those interested in the sport but who have yet to delve into it.
With that in mind, the idea is rather simple: using email (especially cycling list serves), flyers at your local bike shop, and social networking sites, start to organize people around the common idea of creating a network of people interested in cycling. From there, begin collecting phone numbers and addresses of people that would be willing to help out a stranded rider, and then post that list in a place that can only be seen by members of the group (a Google Group would be ideal for something like this). Ideally, you would also make a Google Map showing where each participant lives, so that riders with a smartphone could quickly and easily identify the person who lives closest to where she happens to be at the time of a mechanical problem.
Leverage the Power of that Network
Let all members know that if they ever need roadside assistance, they should program those numbers into their phone. But don't stop there. Set up a bike buddy program, where experienced cyclists agree to ride with newbies to help them get more comfortable on the road, and perhaps even to show them good, safe routes to get to work. Organize bike-swaps and training sessions; discuss legislative issues related to cycling and contact your local representatives. In short, take advantage of the fact that cyclists are a passionate crowd that come from all walks of life--I ride with PhD students, CPAs, doctors, carpenters--and tap into the social capital therein.
In the end, not only will you have made cycling a little safer and more convenient in your city or town, but you will also have strengthened a community and established a network that can be tapped into at any time.
More on Cycling
Rules for Riding Bikes in Japan
Trek Embraces Chainless Bikes, Via Carbon Belt Drives
Cycling Tip of the Week: Think like a Driver, Act Like a Cyclist
High Heel Safety? Take a Bike
California Colleges Pay Students to Bike
Bike Mechanics Are the New Doctors
Call a cab! you can put your bike in the trunk.
That's all well and good, but one of the great things about cycling is that it is not that complicated. Even in a small under-saddle bag you can carry enough supplies to fix most standard mechanical problems. A broken chain is not really that hard to fix, although it can be a pain in cold weather.
I've been out on a ride when another riders derailleur completely broke apart. Since we did not want to bother re-sizing the chain to a single-speed out on the road (which was one option), we just used a spare tube and took turns towing him home.
The ideas above re: networking are spot on, and are more and more easily accessed. My hometown (Twin Cities, MN) has a number of active message boards that are quite supportive, and now that web-enabled phones are becoming more and more prevalent, I can see instances where help could be found immediately from other cyclists via real-time posting.
What about Better World Club?
http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicycles/index.htm
"Nationwide emergency roadside assistance service for you and your bicycle up to 30 miles annually with a maximum of two service calls per covered member, per year."
The League of American Bicyclists does in fact offer "Bicycle Roadside Assistance" to some of it's members.
http://www.bikeleague.org/members/specialoffers.php
I've helped about 5 - 6 people this year in NYC/Brooklyn because of flats, popped off chain on a fixed, gnarly chain tangle on an old Peugeot, etc.
A group network sounds awesome. I carry the kitchen sink with me every day but you can never have enough. Especially when I alternate 3 bikes.
Cyclists don't usually wave to each other ... I agree with the 'Balkanized' thing. We should be more friendly ... it's all dangerous - fixed, mountain, commuting, delivery... etc.
Yes, stuck in the cold can really be painful when things start going numb!
vsk
I like the idea well enough, but the example wasn't very moving. There is no excuse for going out into the weather without proper gear. This doesn't mean just enough lycra to keep you warm while pedaling furiously. This means enough for you to stand around in. With the hat, coat, gloves you'll probably find enough room to squeeze in a spare tube and chain.
Ty, while fixing basic bike stuff can be relatively simple, not everyone is able-bodied. The only reason I can still cycle at all is because I ride an accommodated recumbent bike. When things break down, I'm really SOL.
I can't always afford a cab and I can't think of a cab that could fit my recumbent inside anyway.
I need to look into LAB and Better World Club but I agree that we'd all be better off if there were something as great as AAA out there for cyclists.
so you're saying that everytime somebody gets on a bicycle, they have to carry all that stuff with them?? jeez, how often do you break chains or get flats??? I had a bike for 7 years, went into woods while cycling like a maniac (stupid idea.. I agree - i was a lot younger then), went nuts in the urban jungle that is Dubai (I live here now btw) jumped on and off sidewalks, had a million accidents, tried to skid the cycle to a stop oh i dunno another million times i s'pose, all in all treated it extremely badly.. and not to mention It wasn't from a manufacturer like Trek or mountain fox... it was a taiwanese bike.. and it went through all that with just ONE flat... thats it!! thats the only thing I changed from OM parts.. what do you guys do to you're bikes that you need to carry spare chains??
don't buy fancy bikes that cost a bomb, they become high maintenance things... buy the dumbest most solid feeling cheap bike and watch it live longer than most other bikes...and you can be a bit careless with them as well
The Portland metro area has a company that provides all those services:
http://pedalsecure.com/
If you're looking for community bike repair near you, please check out the Bike Collective Network (http://bikecollectives.org). ;)
I have been told that the AA will come to a call out for a bike as well as a car. Like many cyclists I also drive, so am a member of the AA. I have never had to try this out to see whether it is true, but it may be worth a go. It may also have added benefits of the AA realising that they also represent drivers who cycle, so should do a better job of representing their views.