Primer on bike-riding

lsgarver

Can someone give me the basics of riding bicycles on the road?  A link to a good article or your own tips would be greatly appreciated.  I'm getting a bike from a friend but I've never ridden on the road before.  I'm just planning to tool around town, hit up the grocery store and whatnot, but I want to be sure I'm following best practices.

I could use tips on safety, security, laws, habits and things that are unwritten rules.

mrsbecky07

You could try paging Mxolisi on the PCE or MM board.  She bikes around DC on a regular basis IIRC so she may  have some great advice.

wawajeanne

mrsbecky07:

You could try paging Mxolisi on the PCE or MM board.  She bikes around DC on a regular basis IIRC so she may  have some great advice.

yeah, mx or kelbrian.  (it is kel, right becky?  that doesn't own a car and lives in chicago?)

they are both city bike riders, so some of it doesn't apply, but general tips will. 

mrsbecky07

Yeah Kelbrian!  I forgot about her. She could definitely help.

Matildasun

Here are some silly tips from the top of my head. I will ask my husband about books. Beware of car doors. Learn hand signals. Ride with the flow of traffic. Use lights if you are going to ride at night. Learn how to fix a flat and keep a basic repair kit with you.

lsgarver

Thanks!

I'll get a page ready.  I asked once awhile back on H&F and the biking enthusiast there was kind of terse and went way over my head with shoes and straps and things for serious mountain bikers.  I think she got bike questions too often.  I just want to ride to the Crofton library and Shoppers Food Warehouse (and Target, when it opens!)

Matilda, CAR DOORS!  That's exactly the kind of thing I'm a dummy about.