450R83101
                                                             February 1983
                             Facilitator's  Packet
                              "Bicycling  to  Work
                           15 minute videotape  (3/4")
                                       by
                                 N.  Dianne  Rowe
                              Bicycle  Coordinator
                        S.  Environmental  Protection Agency
                                    ANR-445
                                Special  Projects
                        Office of Policy  and Evaluation
                            Air, Noise and  Radiation
                              401  M  Street, S. W.
                            Washington,  0.  C.  20460
                                 Room  2702 Mall
                                  202-382-7756
Credits:   Use of Information  from Bicycle Commuting Seminar matsrials
          by Leslie  Baldwin  of  the Washington Area Bicyclists Association.
          and North  Carolina  Department of Transportation News Feature
          April  21,  1982 by  Bill Jones.

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U,3.  Envir&r

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Purpose/Introduction:

     The videotape, "Bicycling to Work" is designed to inspire people to
commute to work by bicycle.  "Authentic" bike commuters ride to work and
discuss parking, routes, professional  appearance, and maintenance.  Bike/car
and bike/bus commuting options are demonstrated.

     A 45 minute bicycle commuting seminar given  by local  bicycle commuters
telling of good routes, available bike maps, clubs, and bicycle training
courses should follow the showing of the videotape.  Personal  contact with
an experienced, enthusiastic bicycle commuter is  very important to the new
commuter.  Seminar facilitators can reiterate the tape's message that bike
commuting is fun, doable, inexpensive and provides great exercise.

     Employment centers are prime target locations for showing the tape.
One hour lunch time seminars, where experienced commuters can  give specific
information on bike parking and routes to the employment center is ideal.
Other possible audiences for the tape are university students, bike club
members, civic organizations, television, and community fairs.

     Early spring is the best time of year for bike commuting  seminars.
These seminars can help to get lots of people out for bike-to-work
rallies.  There were 7,000 people who hiked to work in Washington, D. C.,
for earth day, 1980.

     This package is designed for lunch time - one hour seminars at employ-
ment centers.  It can be easily adapted for other audiences.  Included is:
(1) steps for planning the seminar and a sample notice, (2)  outline for
presenting the seminar, and a sample notice, (3)  suggested ideas and facts
to be included in your seminar, (4) list of bicycle commuting  materials
available and a sample contact list, and (5) two  pamphlets.   One person
needs to coordinate the seminar, but needs not present the entire seminar.
A diversity of speakers with individual  expertise to divide  up the outline
makes for a more interesting seminar.   It's not only more fun  for the
speakers, but the audience can then see a variety of people  with  which  to
identify when developing their own commuting strategy and image.

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                                   -2-


              Steps for Planning a "Bicycling to Work" Seminar


 1.  Determine location of the seminar, (employment center, civic
     association etc.).

 2.  Give yourself at least a month lead time to plan the seminar - start
     early before the commuting season.

 3.  Read Facilitator's Packet.

 4.  Contact resources in Facilitator's Packet for materials to hand out
     at seminar.

 5.  Make contact with bicycle commuters in the organization where seminar
     is to be given.  Solicit their help in setting up the seminar and
     find out their expertise.

 6.  Check out room and videotape machine where seminar can be held.

 7.  Contact bike clubs in area to see if there are any volunteers who
     would help with the seminar.  Arrange to have their free handouts, or
     brochures sent to you for giving to those who attend.

 8.  Determine expertise of volunteers and decide who should present the
     different parts of the outline:  bicycle equipment, maintenance,
     riding techniques, routes/maps, parking and available resources.
     (One person can do more than one part of the outline).

 9.  Call people and ask if they would help in giving the seminar, and
     invite them to a meeting to discuss the presentation.

10.  Reserve room preferably several  weeks in advance at lunch time in
     employment center and determine who will run the videotape machine.

11.  Hold meeting for seminar participants.  Give them photo copies of the
     suggested ideas from "this" package for their part of the outline.
     Tell them their time limit.  Give them any other information that
     you have available.   Determine the order of presentation, who will
     be the time keeper and who will  introduce the speakers if necessary.
     Discuss what each participant will present.

12.  Draw up a notice and put in employee newsletter.   (See Bike Commuters
     of Environmental  Protection Agency, example.) Post in hallways,
     preferably one or 2 weeks before the seminar.  Two or three days
     before seminar post  in men's and ladies' room.   Notices can be put
     in a gym, recreational  facility, credit union and health facility
     also.   Seminar participants can help to post
     notices.

13.  Get permission to bring a bike into the building.

14.  Bring your fully equipped bike to the seminar.

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                                  -3-
15.  All seminar participants should arrive 15-30 minutes early to set
     up the room.  Put out available free hand-outs.   Seminar participants
     can sit at a table facing the audience.

16.  Start on time.  Do not go over 1  hour, otherwise, people will have
     to leave to go back to work, which will  be distracting.

17.  Pass around a sign-up sheet so that you  can invite people to any
     followup seminars on bicycle activities.

18.  Prior to the seminar develop a contact sheet of  where people can
     get local  bike maps and materials, the local  agency and  person
     responsible, their phone number and address and  any other pertinent
     information like cost of map.  (See sample copy  for D. C.)  Make
     copies and distribute at the seminar.

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                                    CONTACTS
                                                                       April  1980

Bike Route/Maps Resources for Bike Commuting in the Washing Metropolitan Area
AREA MAP
D.C.
Metro
Area
D.C. COG Bike Map
Metro 8 Routes of Va. ,
Area D.C. & Md.
D.C. Bike Routes
Existing &
Planned —
Preferential
Street Map in
Devel opment
Arlington, Bikeway
VA. Map
Montgomery Bicycling
County, MD Routes in Lower
Montgomery
County
Bike Recreation/Touring/Longer
In and Greater
Around Washington
the Area Bicycle
Washington Atlas
Area
Along East Coast
East Bicycle Trail
Coast
Bike Trips
Southeastern
PA. Regional
Map of Bicycle
Opportunities
N.C.
Boston
Oregon
and others
ORGANIZATION/CONTACT COST
Pedal Pool for contacts in your Free
area to help you scout out a route
Washington Area Bicyclists Assoc.
1332 Eye Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20005
Chris Newman $1.00
Council of Governments
1825 Eye Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20006
D.C. Dept. of Transportation Free
Bicycle Office
Eileen Kadesh
Washington, D. C. 20004
Department of Public Works Free
c/o Warren Goodlet
1400 Court House Road North
Arlington, VA. 22201
Chips Johnson Free
Office of Transportation Planning
Montgomery County DOT
Rockville, MD 20850
Rides
Washington Area Bicyclists Assoc. $3.50
1332 Eye Street, N.W .
Washington, D. C. 20005
East Coast Bicycle Congress $4.00
626 S. 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Mr. William H. Wilcox, Secretary
Department of Consumer Affairs
South Office Building Rm. 216
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Nina Rowe, Bicycle Coordinator
- ^*cMBV
PHONE NUMBER
393-2555
223-6800
727-5906
558-2941
468-406 c'
393-2555


755-057;-
Tues.

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                                    -5-
Information that can be used for Bicycle Commuting Seminars
I.  Brief Introduction to Seminar                                  2 mlns.
    The purpose of this seminar is to introduce bicycle  commuting.   A 15
minute videotape showing people biking to work and telling how and  why
they commute by bicycle will be shown.  Following the tape,  we will  discuss
all aspects of bike commuting and answer questions.

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                                    -6-
II.   Show Videotape                                               15 mins.

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                                    -7-
III.   Personal  Testimony                                           5  mins.
      -  Tell  why you commute and how you  got  started.
      -  Benefits of Bike Commuting:
         -  Health,  exercise - don't  have  to take  extra  time  to  exercise  -
            can do it easily.
         -  Speed -  for distances under 4  miles, bike can  usually  beat
            car or transit.
         -  Fun - enjoy being outside.
         -  Recreation - see other bikers, enjoyment on  way home
            from work instead of  being  caught  in traffic jams.
         -  Save money - can save $15.00 a week if you would  have  to  pay
            for car  parking.  Otherwise you can save between  $300  - $1000 per
            year.
         -  Parking  space -  easy  to find,  takes up little  space, easy
            to  park.
         -  Flexibility/convenience no  waiting for carpools or buses.
         -  Mental Break - good outlet  for frustration.
         -  Status.

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                               -8-
IV.    Bicycle Equipment                                             5 mins.
      The Bicycle:   Any bicycle is  O.K.  as  long  as  it  is  in  good
      working condition and fits you.   Buy  bikes  from  bike shops
      because they  will  make adjustments for you  and help you
      with maintenance.
      Saddle  height:    Saddle should  be  positioned  so  that your
      knee is slightly  flexed when  the crank reaches its  lower
      position and  the  ball  of your foot is on the  pedal.
      Handlebar height:   Same height  as  seat.
      Distance from saddle  to handlebars:   With  elbow  touching the
      nose of the saddle the tips of  your fingers should  touch the
      handlebar where it is  connected to the bicycle.
      Equipment:
         - Small tool  kit  with air pump for road flats.
         - Toe clips help  position foot properly and  allow  push and
           pull.
         - Helmet  - your head is the most  vulnerable  part of
           your body.
         - Rack over back  tire.
         - Pack for carrying clothes, lunches, papers -  (backpack,
           front basket, panniers, or front handlebar bag).
         - Shock cords  for  holding things  to rack.
         - Optional:   Water bottle,  bell or whistle,  fenders, rear
           view mirror.

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                                     -9-
V.
Maintenance

Check for:
5 mins.
          -  Properly inflated tires:   (danger of flats if
             too low)
          -  Proper gear adjustment.


          -  Brake adjustment.
                                     Get a bike maintenance
                                     manual  or take to bike
                                     shop.  If improperly
                                     adjusted, gears will
                                     slip and shifting may
                                     be difficult.  Brakes
                                     will not stop adequately
                                     if not  adjusted.

    -  Lights - make sure generator or batteries work.

    Flat tires:  carry tire irons, and an extra tube.  To change

    a flat, remove wheel, than remove tire with irons, remove tube,

    check for glass, replace with new tube and pump tire.

    Oil  chain after riding in rain and once  every few weeks.

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                                     -10-
Useful  Bicycle Equipment to show at Seminar.
      a 10-speed bicycle equipped with the following:
      -  toe clips
      -  rear rack
      -  front and/or rear panniers and/or backpacks  and/or handlebar bags
      -  reflectors
      -  lights, including leg lights
      -  water bottle
      -  horn, bell,  whistle
      -  fenders
      -  basket
      -  "grab-ons"
      -  kick stand or  "flick  stand"
      -  helmets
      -  rear view mirror
      -  bungy cords  (shock cords)
      -  gym bag or canvas bag in  lieu  of  panniers
      -  pump
      -  tire changing  kit including tire  irons, patches, glue, and spare tube

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                                   -11-
VI.  Bike Route
     If possible make available a list of people who commute by bicycle
to the employment center and their departure point.  Distribute to the
new commuters so they can contact those people directly about their
routes.
      -  Tell of bike maps available and bike clubs to contact.
      -  Route depends on type of commute.  If it is for speed - a direct
         route in traffic will be best.  If it is for relaxation, away
         from noise, stress, cars, air pollution, a more peaceful way
         may be along bike paths and side streets.
      -  Map out the route.
      -  Scout out the route on the weekend with a friend.
      -  Allow extra time the first couple of commutes.
      -  Experiment and refine your route.

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                                     -12-
VII.   Bike Parking                                                 5 mins.
      -  Tell  of any available bike parking facilities and who
         to contact.
      -  Park  in well  lit public places,  where many people walk
         by, or near guards.
      -  Register your bike.   Record serial  number at home and
         keep  it with  bill  of sale and description of bike.
      -  Always lock bike when leaving it.
      -  Lock  both front and  rear wheels  with frame to a stationary object.
      -  Place all  locking devices high off ground with no slack.
      -  U-lock, shaped like  a horseshoe  is  the most theft resis-
         tant  lock.
      -  Good  padlock, chain  or cable is  relatively secure.   Padlock
         should have case hardened steel  body, these resist  sawing
         or cutting  and make  the lock shatter proof.   Use short
         shackled locks.
      -  Steel  cables  are lighter than chains.  One piece lock
         and cable are not recommended.  (They can be easily picked
         or shattered).

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                                     -13-
VIII.  Clothing and Clean-up                                        5 mins,
      -  Personal  preference options:   Bike  in  work  clothes;
         bike in  bike  clothes,  change  at  office; or  bike  in
         bike clothes  and leave professional  clothes at Office.
      -  Tips for  dressing
         -  Don't  over dress.
         -  In winter, wear loose  layers,  and as little as
            possible to avoid  sweating.
         -  Be visible, wear light colored clothing, preferably
            white. Safety vests,  and  flags  also help visibility.
         -  Wear  leg bands to  keep pants  out  of chain.
      -  Winter dress  options.
         -  Sweatshirts/pants/long underwear/wind breaker.
         -  Shorts with leg warmers or knee  socks, down vest,
            down coat  for under 25°, accompanied by  head  band,
            wool hat,  wool  mittens or  gloves.
         -  Summer dress:   Shorts, T-shirt, bike gloves,  sneakers
            or bike shoes,  wind breaker for cold mornings.
         -  Rain gear:   Ponchos, shoe  guards.
         -  Packing clothes:  roll  between plastic bags,  put heavy items,
            (shoes, purse)  on bottom.
            -  lay out  clothes  the night before.
            -  use plastic  bottles for deoderant, alcohol, cologne etc.
               pack in  separate pockets if possible.
      -  Optional:  lip protection,  sun glasses or visors.

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                                    -14-
(Con't)

VIII. Clothing and Clean-up                                          5 mlns.
          For items easy to forget  (ties,  belts)  leave  extra
          at office or always  leave  in  bottom of  bike bag.
          Do quick  "bottom to top check"  before  leaving house,
          or make a list and check over list.
          When you know you can't ride  in,  wear hard to transport
          outfits.
          Cleaning up:  Tell of available  showers.
          -  If none available, clean-up with alcohol, cold water,
             or "wet ones"  in  restroom.

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                                     -15-
B1cycle Clothing and Accessories to Demonstrate
      -  summer dress such as cycling shorts,  cycling jersey,  windbreaker.
      -  cycling gloves.
      -  cycling shoes.
      -  sunglasses/visors.
      -  winter dress such as wool  mittens,  sweatpants/sweatshirts,
         long-sleeved jerseys, down vest,  down coat,  wool  headband,
         wool  hat.
      -  safety vests for visibility/
      -  rain  poncho.

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                                     -16-
IX.    Riding Techniques                                              5 mins.
      -  Ride in  good  position,  sit  with your  back at
         45° angle  with  elbows slightly flexed.
      -  Use proper gears  so  neither lungs or  legs wear
         out too  fast.   (If gearing  is too low - your lungs
         tire,  if too  high, legs  tire).
      -  Become part of  traffic  flow, ride with traffic on
         the right  side  of traffic lane, not curb or gutter.
      -  When passing  parked  cars allow distance for opening
         car doors.
      -  Ride predictably, signal all moves, and obey traffic
         laws.
      -  Left turns  -  tell  about  dog leg or changing lanes
         using  hand  signals.
      -  Watch  for  hazards:  grates,  being cut off by cars or
         buses, etc.
      -  Practice a  few  simple maneuvers in a  near parking lot
         to  avoid dangerous situations:
         -   Ride  a  straight line while looking behind you,
            over  left  shoulder or use your rear view mirror,
            and ride one handed so you can
            execute  proper hand signals.
         -   Practice obstacle avoidance by laying out irregularly
            spaced objects.   Ride through them keeping center
            of  gravity low on the pedals.

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                                     -16-
IX.    Riding Techniques                                              5 mlns.
      -  Ride in  good  position,  sit with your back at
         45° angle with  elbows slightly flexed.
      -  Use proper gears  so  neither  lungs or legs wear
         out too  fast.   (If gearing is too low  - your lungs
         tire,  if too  high, legs  tire).
      -  Become part of  traffic  flow, ride with traffic on
         the right side  of traffic lane, not curb or gutter.
      -  When passing  parked  cars allow distance for opening
         car doors.
      -  Ride predictably, signal all moves, and obey traffic
         laws.
      -  Left turns  -  tell  about  dog  leg or changing lanes
         using  hand  signals.
      -  Watch  for hazards:   grates,  being cut off by cars or
         buses, etc.
      -  Practice a  few  simple maneuvers in a near parking lot
         to  avoid dangerous situations:
         -   Ride  a straight line while looking behind you,
            over  left  shoulder or use your rear view mirror,
            and ride one handed so you can
            execute  proper hand signals.
         -   Practice obstacle avoidance by laying out irregularly
            spaced objects.   Ride through them keeping center
            of  gravity low on the cirttor pedal5 while in a turn.

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                                    -17-
X.   Resources and Contacts.                                      5 mins.
     Tell about the local and national bicycle clubs,
     (see next page).  Give out any free brochures and
     tell of available effective cycling courses or
     bike maintenance curses.
XI.   Questions
     Allow some time for questions and dialogue between
     experienced commuters and novice/potential commuters.

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                                   -18-
              Resources and Materials Available
        Local
1.  Address and phone number of local bicycle clubs, bike coordinator
    and other places where maps and bike materials can be obtained.
    (see sample for the Washington Metropolitan area - page 5).

2.  List of names, phone numbers and addresses of commuters in the
    employment center.
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 988
Baltimore, MD  21203
                                                           Handout Membership
                                                           brochures
        National

1.  League of American Wheelmen
    10 East Read Street
    Baltimore, MD
    301 727-2022

2.  Bicycle Federation
    Suite 309
    1101  Fifteenth Street, N.W.
    Washington, D. C.  20005
    (202) 659-5540

3.  Bicycling Magazine, Inc.
    33 E. Minor Street
    Emmaus, PA  18049
    (215) 967-5171

4.  Bicycling Commuter's Service
    2690 Laurel Lindale Road
    Hog Hollow
    New Richmond, Ohio   45157
    (513) 553-4015

        Materials
1.   Any brochures from bike clubs,  maps or hand outs you can get
    locally.

2.   Copies of Bi cy c 1 e Comrnut i n g  and Cycling in Traffic (one of each
    enclosed).  For copies to distribute at your seminar write to:

                   Ray Lauer
                   Bicycling Magazine
                   Cycling Tips
                   33 Minor Street
                   Emmaus, PA   18049

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