Programs >> Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues >> CATS Office Bicycle Program On this page: History Policies Bike Commuting Tips Wise Wheels "Quiz" Procedures Participation Form

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History

April 2, 2001

During the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's year 2000 Commuter Challenge, 18% of CATS employees rode a bicycle to the train or all the way to work at least once during bike month. CATS had the highest level of participation of any other agency in our category. Our award was a bicycle, kindly donated by Urban Bikes.

There was much speculation as to what CATS should do with the bike--donate it to charity? Auction it off to a CATS employee for charity? Give it to the person who rode the most during bike month? Turn it into an office bicycle?

Because CATS is in the business of transportation planning (and trying to promote alternatives to SOV travel), we decided to turn it into an office bicycle--if employees can use office cars for business, why not a bicycle? Other local government agencies have added bicycles to their fleets, including the Chicago Police Department, CDOT and the Department of Inspections. The office bike can be a quick, easy, fun and energy efficient way to get to meetings and appointments. We hope it will even inspire a few more employees to try bike commuting.

Policies

Like an office car, the CATS office bicycle is available for work related trips. All state and local traffic laws and department policies, rules and regulations apply. In order to use the office bike, you need to:

1. Read IDOT's policy statement: CATS Bicycle Use and Security.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with urban street cycling issues by reading our Bike Commuting Tips and filling out the Wise Wheels form.
3. Agree to abide by CATS' own bicycle usage procedures.

Once you have completed these tasks (all necessary forms are near the bike), you will become part of the CATS Bike Pool. Simply sign-up to use the bicycle, noting when you plan to return.

Enjoy the ride!

Bike Commuting Tips

You may never forget how to ride a bike, but even the most experienced cyclists sometimes feel like novices on the streets of downtown Chicago. Gridlock, jaywalkers, one way streets, taxis, messengers, buses--there's an incredible, vibrant, sometimes intimidating mix of people and machines out there.

Fortunately, commuting by bike downtown is a lot easier than it looks. When I first started working at CATS, I had been bike commuting for years. Still, I was apprehensive about loop traffic. After two weeks of trying it, I was as comfortable on Franklin as I am on the quiet street in front of my apartment.

If you are new to street riding, I highly recommend you peruse Safe Bicycling in Chicago, a pamphlet that covers topics such as how and where to lock up, helmet fit and negotiating busy intersections. Chicago's bike map is also useful for not only identifying good routes, but showing how to ride on a busy street. For a more in-depth treatment of commuting issues, check out Urban Biker's Tricks and Tips. All of these resources are stored near the office bike.

Don't feel inclined to do all this research? Ingrid and I have come up with a few words of advice gleaned from biking to CATS and through the city.

Take Your Lane

Bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of motorists. Cyclists must obey traffic laws and may ride in the middle of a travel lane. Cyclists sometimes feel more comfortable staying to the right of faster moving traffic, but if you want to avoid the door zone (see below), debris or potholes, it is legal and advisable to ride in the middle of the lane. This is also the case when you do not feel there is enough room for a motorist to safely pass you in the lane.

Beware the "Door Zone"

Stay as far away from parked cars as you can without running into conflict with faster moving traffic on your other side. Your chances of having someone open a door in front of you are much greater than someone hitting you from behind.

Watch for Pedestrians

Pedestrians often step off the curb to try to get a head start on crossing the street. Usually, they are looking and listening for a break in car traffic and do not hear oncoming cyclists. The office bike has a bell to help you make your presence known.

Park to Sturdy Objects

Thanks to Chicago's bike rack program, bike parking is pretty easy to find. However, sometimes you will want to park to a meter or sign post. Just make sure that the sign post is well bolted to the ground! Also make sure that the bike with lock cannot be slipped over the meter or post. We have supplied two locks so you do not have to take the front wheel off. Lock the frame and front wheel to a sturdy object and the rear wheel to the frame.

Use a Light Touch When Braking

The office bike's brakes are very responsive. To avoid abrupt stops, use gentle pressure.

Protect Your Pants

Use the reflective pants strap to keep your right cuff from getting into the bike chain (which can be not only messy but dangerous!)

Wise Wheels

Print this page and circle the best answer to the questions below.

Why is it unwise and unsafe to cycle against traffic?

1. It's illegal.
2. Motorists at intersections and alleys will not be looking for you.
3. Pedestrians will not be looking for you.
4. All of the above.

When riding between parked cars and another travel lane, it is better to:

1. Stay as close to parked cars as possible.
2. Stay as far away from parked cars as possible.

Which of the following is never suitable for locking a bike to:

1. Bike rack.
2. Parking meter.
3. Well bolted sign post.
4. Unbolted sign post that you can lift from the ground.

You're riding on a busy street, taking a full lane because there is not enough room for a car to safely pass you. The motorist behind you honks and yells at you to get on the sidewalk. What does this probably mean?

1. He or she can see you, which is a good thing.
2. He or she is not aware that, in Chicago, it is illegal for anyone to ride a bike on the sidewalks in a business district and illegal for people over age 12 to ride on other sidewalks.
3. All of the above.

When stopped at an intersection, cyclists planning to cross the street should hold their position or move to the left of right turning traffic instead of moving all the way over to the right curb. Why?

1. To avoid conflicts with right turning vehicles.
2. To indicate to road users behind you that you plan to go straight.
3. To avoid having to merge back into the line of traffic when it starts moving.
4. All of the above.

If it starts to rain, which is the LEAST advisable action to take?

1. Cry, "I'm melting, I'm melting!" and hail a cab.
2. Pick up speed to try to beat the rain.
3. Find shelter and wait until it stops.
4. Be grateful for the fenders, turn on the rear blinking light to improve your visibility, pump your brakes in advance of stopping to make them more effective and slow down because the streets are slickest when it first starts to rain (oil on the road spreads before it washes away).

Optional Question - Once you get used to it, bike commuting can be:

1. A quick, low cost, energy efficient way to get around.
2. Fun.
3. An easy form of mental and physical exercise.
4. All of the above.

CATS Office Bike Procedures

Sign-up

You must sign-up for the bicycle, noting when you will return. If you need to keep the bike overnight, you must return it the next day. Exceptions will be granted in severe weather conditions.

Getting Ready

Use this checklist to make sure the bike is in operating condition and has all parts. If anything is missing or not working, inform Tom Murtha.

1. Tires are adequately inflated?
2. Rear light is in place and working?
3. Bell is on handlebar?
4. Brakes are working?
5. Both locks are on the bike?
6. Got the keys? (stored on elastic on handlebar)
7. Got a helmet? (You may use the CATS helmet or your own.)
8. Seat adjusted to your height? (Make sure the clamp is secure!)

Leaving the Building

Use the freight elevator. The hours of operation are approximately 8am-8pm.

Locking the Bike

When locking the bike, use both locks, making sure to secure the frame and both wheels. Try to lock in high visibility areas without impeding the flow of pedestrian traffic. If you have questions, ask Gin.

Bike Maintenance

You might want to take the repair kit with you in case you get a flat (the bike has city tires, so this should not be a problem). Be sure to return the repair kit when you get back and to report any problems to Gin.

Returning the Bike

Check that you return everything you borrowed:

1. Fully equipped bike?
2. Keys?
3. Repair kit?
4. Helmet?
5. Backback?
6. Leg clips?

CATS Office Bike Pool Participation Form

I have read IDOT's policy statement CATS Bicycle Use and Security.

I have demonstrated basic familiarity with urban street cycling issues by reading the Bike Commuting Tips and correctly filling out the Wise Wheels form.

I agree to abide by CATS office bike procedures.

Employee signature/date___________________________________________________

Office bike administrator signature/date________________________________________