Arleigh Jenkins

Recently I moved to a new location outside of Charlotte, NC.  My original commute was 25 miles of a bi-modal commute, utilizing the bus for 19 miles and my bike for 6.  The commute normally took 45 minutes to an hour and was a wonderful ride on my bike through Davidson, NC.  On the weekends the bus didn’t run so I would ride my bike the total length of the commute. Recently my shop opened a second location in Charlotte and, personally, I moved 17 miles north of the shop to rural Mooresville. Here’s the down fall, the bus runs but not when I need it to.  I often work until 7-8pm and the bus to Mooresville does not run that late.  Riding down a rather busy 2 lane road through Huntersville, NC is a death wish.  There are no cut thrus, bi passes or beaten paths to find for safety. This has run me into many issues.  Currently we are a one car household, with two children and a spouse I would rather be riding to leave the car for them and my commute is often my hour or two to myself during the day. What are your recommendations?  I’ve found that I will be able to ride in to work as the roads are not that busy, but to get home I’m going to catch a ride with friends or coworkers that live near me.  This isn’t my preference and I hope to figure something else out that means riding more. ___________________________________________________________ So far the responses have been strong over at Commute By Bike.  The thing that hasn't been touched upon is I am a very experienced cycling commuter.  I'm still stumped on the answer to this commuter woe.  Sure I could of picked a house in a better commute friendly location, but schools and price were more important on my list of priorities.

6 Responses to “New Commute Woes”

1. 
   Randy Says: December 19th, 2008 at 11:05 pm Would it be possible for your spouse to meet you half way, past the danger zone, on days when the bus isn’t running and you have no other ride set up? I understand your problem. I live on the southern end of Louisville, but work in Jeffersonville IN. Only 15 miles as the crow flies, but I would have to ride on urban roadways, past the airport, Ford plant, then thru downtown at rush hour and cross the Ohio river on the 2nd St bridge, which scares the hell out of me. (There are little roadside “shrines” set up where cyclists have been killed…).I ride sometimes, but only on weekends, and I cross the bridge pedestrian style, not in the traffic lanes).
2. 
   Dave Says: December 20th, 2008 at 8:42 am I’m not familiar with the area, but am with the Piedmont (train). Bikes on this train are a breeze. It would get you out of Charlotte and over to Kannapolis, but you’d have to change your schedule significantly.
3. 
   IR Baboon Says: December 20th, 2008 at 11:40 am I completely understand your hesitance to ride on the two laner. I have my own fears of the same, especially here in the winter. I used to think US31 was a deathwish too. The 3 feet of snow on the shoulders/side of the road has forced me onto the roads. I won’t give up, and I have been pleasantly surprised by how accommodating many drivers can be. Keep yourself well lit, take the lane when necessary, and use eye contact. Best of luck to you in your new commute!
4. 
   Ghost Rider Says: December 20th, 2008 at 12:54 pm One of the tips that Chris Balish offers in his book How To Live Well Without Owning a Car is that careful choosing of where to live is one of the crucial components to living car-lite or car-free. Obviously, this doesn’t work for everyone — I mean, if you’ve already got an established household, it sucks to pack up and move. But if you can, it might be worth considering relocating to a more commute-friendly area. Otherwise, light yourself up and take the lane. I recommend Down Low Glow and Monkeylectric lights for sheer overwhelming conspicuity…motorists WILL give you a wide berth as they try to figure out just what in the hell you are!
   
5. 
   Ben Says: December 20th, 2008 at 11:18 pm First off, great site! Just found it and it is very informative and usefull…even added you to my blogroll! Anywho, I think the best thing to do would be to find others to commute with. Sort of a critical mass ride idea. Obviously the more of you there are the better cars will see you and the more aware they will be of cyclists, also they may be more inclined to riding themselves. My two cents.
6. 
   jason (sd) Says: December 22nd, 2008 at 6:47 pm I don’t know what you’re traffic levels are like, but I would say ride your shortest route. I live in a relatively small town, but big enough to have a rush hour. I ride on the busiest road in town, in the traffic lane, even when there is a nice wide paved shoulder. I have learned over the years that I am safer riding in the lane of traffic. If I give them enough room to squeeze by, that is exactly what they do. If I take up enough room to force them over the center line then they have to pay attention to what they are doing. This does take some nerve as more motorists will let you know how they feel about bicycles on the road. If you are worried about safety from traffic behind you just remember: That every road in this country was designed so a vehicle could avoid a stationary object in the road way. If they can’t avoid you they were either: speeding by more than your speed, not paying attention to their driving, or over driving the conditions. I know of no bicyclists that have the super human powers of invisibility. However a lot of people ride to make themselves invisible to the average motorist. If you ride in the traffic lane, where they expect traffic to be, they have no excuse that they can’t see you.