Biking to Work – See what it is like to Share the Road from a Cyclist’s perspective!

I am biking to work during the month of May. My name is Patrick. I am a husband, a son, and an uncle. I am also a bicyclist. I advocate Sharing the Road.

http://www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com/sharetheroad.

I am also the Director of School Training Solutions. http://www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com.

I choose to ride a bicycle, although I own multiple cars. I pay taxes.

Patrick Willi, Director of School Training Solutions, ready for biking.

May is National Bike Month. http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/
My goal is to ride to work all month.

This is my 5/21/13 trip via my helmet camera.
I work 2.69 miles from home.
It takes 10-15 minutes to drive.
It takes 10-12 minutes to bike.
I drive an old car with “bad” gas mileage.
I’ve saved at least $60.00 this month
.
Cyclists are held to the same laws as automobiles.
This includes stopping at Stop Signs and Traffic Lights.
Some states make exceptions for cyclists. Know your state laws!

This is Florida Hwy 90 (aka) Nine Mine Road (Pensacola, FL) – 6:50 a.m.

Pedestrians are supposed to travel toward oncoming traffic. They can see what is coming toward them.
Cyclists are supposed to travel with traffic. We don’t see what is coming toward us, from behind.
Bicyclists rely on motorists to be courteous and safely pass us.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
In 2011, 677 bicyclists died in automobile related accidents. http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/

Each morning I use 5 lights (2 solid; 3 flashing) and put on a bright orange bag.
I hope this makes me more visible to motorists.
On rainy or overcast days I add more lights and reflective clothing.
And this is only for 6 miles of riding a day.

Most states have a 3 foot rule to give bicyclists room on the road. http://www.3feetplease.com

Cyclists are not on the road to be a nuisance.
We are on bicycles for the same reasons you are in an automobile…
…traveling to work or to the store. (Or maybe for exercise.)

Co-worker about to say, “good morning.”
Good morning Josh. You’ll beat me to the office today.

I typically average 13-14 mph on this route. My max speed is about 20 (on this route).
Road conditions have an impact. Small debris and cracks can cause problems.
I feel every bump.

Cycling to work takes planning.
I prep everything the night before. Cycling clothes. Work clothes. Food. Bicycle and cycling gear, etc.
I also have to think about when/how I’m going to run errands before or after work.

The benefits I’ve noticed:
Exercise every day.
Saves money.
Reduces stress.
Better time management.
More energy at work.
Endorphins.

Draw-backs I’ve noticed:
Can’t carry as much stuff.

Motorists, thank you for safely Sharing the Road.

Sharing the Road UPDATES and Cycling News & Tips

Hello everyone!

First I want to say Thank you to everyone who supported us (Team Sharing the Road) while we were on the road in New Orleans, participating in the Ironman 70.3 event.

The School Training Solutions, Sharing the Road campaign is going strong.

We’ve added more events this month and extended the discount for the Sharing the Road online course. This course will be available, with the discount, until the end of May.

Our “Threat of Road Rage” online course will be available at a discount for the month of June. A third online course will be available for July.

There is a lot of “Cycling News” this week:

May is National Bike Month. This is sponsored by the League of American Bicycles and includes a lot of cycling activities, including a “Biking to Work” initiative.

May 1 – September 30 marks the 2013 National Bike Challenge. The Challenge is an exciting health and wellness initiative that encourages people to bike for transportation and recreation.

If you are interested in participating in any National Bike Month activities, I’ve included links to sponsor websites in the body of this post.

I am planning to bike to work during the Month of May.

A lot of people think that commuting to work on a bike takes too much time.

As a rule of thumb, commuting to work via cycling will take about twice as long as driving. However, trips less than 3 miles are often faster by bike, and those 5 to 7 miles long take about the same time, as driving.

Just something to think about.

Thank you for watching and reading. If you would like to follow our Sharing the Road campaign or access one of the online courses we are offering, visit: www.schooltrainingsolutions.com/sharetheroad

Remember while driving be aware of your surrounds and continue sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, school buses, and other vehicles.

http://www.bikeleague.org/
http://www.endomondo.com/campaign/nbc2013
https://www.schooltrainingsolutions.com/sharetheroad

Team Sharing the Road – GCI Relay Photo Album

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As promised the full Sharing the Road photo album is up. I wanted to publish our full album from the 2013 Gulf Coast Interstate (GCI) Relay before our next event in New Orleans, LA on Sunday.

I will be blogging about the 2013 Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans Triathlon on April 21st. During this event, participants will be Sharing the Road along Highways 47, 90, and 11, and running through New Orleans to finish in the French Quarter’s Armstrong Park. School Training Solutions (STS) is offering our defensive driving course “Sharing the Road” for $20.00 April 18th through April 23rd the with the promo code: SHARING.

Our Sharing the Road campaign is a chance to start a conversation and improve road safety. Get involved on our Facebook, Twitter, or Linked-In pages or email me.

Thank you for reading/watching and continue safely Sharing the Road!

On April 5th, my team and I will be bicycling from New Orleans, LA to Pensacola Beach, FL as part of the Gulf Coast Interstate (GCI) Relay. When I am not on my bike, I am going to reflect, via blogging, about our experiences on the road. During this ride and the week surrounding it, we (STS) will also offer our Sharing the Road online defensive driving training course for a discounted price of $20.00 with the code “SHARING” at checkout. – Buy Now –

For more information about the relay visit: http://www.gulfcoastinterstaterelay.com/

For more information about The Center for Biological Diversity visit: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org

I’ve never considered my self an athlete, but I have always had a bunch of hobbies. As I’ve gotten older, those hobbies have transitioned into exercise. Running/jogging, cycling, swimming, hiking, SCUBA diving tend to fill the weekends now. Each of these activities include a certain level of risk, especially those that involve training on or using roads in general. This year my goal was to try to better broadcast a message of safety. My pet project morphed into our “Sharing the Road” campaign. Throughout the spring and summer School Training Solutions is going to offer select online courses at a discount while I participate in cycling, running, swimming and triathlon events. I hope these courses will remind drivers to share the road with pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, school buses, and other vehicles.

Check our “Sharing the Road” webpage for updates and photos about the 263 mile bicycle ride.

STS Cycling and Support Team - 2013