Tolerence for high traffic volumes

[indysteel]

If you really do want to bike commute, then I would suggest just generally adding some urban riding into your routine. I got used to riding in traffic by following the route used for the Broad Ripple/Butler weekly training ride route "hosted" by CIBA. It is marked so you could follow it on your own.

Some of CIBA's dinner and weekend routes would be good for that purpose, too. I would start there before doing a weekday commute into downtown.

[Jolt]

Keep in mind too that with such frequent stop lights, the general traffic speed will be pretty slow so you might be able to keep up with traffic at times. It's also less intimidating when you don't constantly have cars flying by...it might not be as bad as you think.

[Catrin]

Good ideas everyone, and I will follow up on them. I think it is the idea of having to stop/start so often that has me a little intimidated for some reason. The "bike port" won't be opening until early summer assuming that nothing happens to slow it down, so I have at least that long to see what I can do about changing my comfort level and deciding. I just think it would be a good addition to my routine if I can build it into my regular schedule.

Then again - my average ride right now is close to the same distance as a full commute both directions, and by early summer it will be longer - without more than 1-2 stoplights. I would get more miles in by just riding in the evenings when I get home - but I would like to try it just to see what it is like. We shall see.

Thanks! Indy, the Thursday night rides out of BGI would likely be a good start, good idea....

[indysteel]

Just an FYI that the downtown Y will be jointly running the bike port with BGI in cooperation with the city. I've already heard conflicting things about the date it will go live. I'm not sure of cost at this point, either.

I glanced at a map of your area (keeping in mind that I only generally know where you live). I think there's any number of ways that you could get downtown. In fact, I don't think it would be that hard to tie into the Butler training ride route, which goes as south as the southern end of Riverside Park. Now, that's not the safest of areas, so that has me a little nervous. I'm not sure, however, whether you can totally avoid going through some sketchy areas to get downtown....

In any event, I think you would benefit, regardless of whether you decide to commute, to get more used to driving in traffic, as you will find yourself in such situations any way the more your ride and the more out-of-town and group/event rides you do anyway. Just ease yourself into it. I'll be honest that I used to get totally freaked out when I first started riding because I couldn't necessarily avoid urban riding. You can get used to it.

Certainly, I would encourage you to take advantage of all that CIBA, the Indiana Bicycle Coalition and the League of American Bicyclists offer. Connie Schumaker and Warren Smock of the latter would likely be more than happy to help you.

[redrhodie]

You'll do great! Read "The Art of Urban Cycling" by Robert Hurst. It really helped me deal with summer beach/tourist traffic, which is maybe not as bad a city traffic, but it has its moments (I call people leaving the beach "sun drunk")!

[malkin]

Make gradual changes and you'll gradually become more confident.

If you work out a regular route, you may identify bits that are awful, and then you'll figure out ways to avoid riding on the awful bits.

There's one stretch of my short work commute where there are 3 lanes, eastbound (blinded by the sunrise in the morning), 40mph limit (which means everyone drives 50), no shoulder, and one of those wacky, tire grabbing cliffs where the re-re-repavement meets the gutter.

I rode that exactly one time, felt lucky to have survived, and now have a clever way to avoid it.

[Melalvai]

Have you taken Traffic Skills 101? I checked on that site for Indianapolis and there aren't currently any classes scheduled but I see there are 4 certified instructors so you might contact them and ask if they have plans to teach a class.

If there are no classes in your area, the bike league website has some very good resources about best cycling practices. The new "Smart Cycling" book comes with the "Enjoy Your Ride" DVD.

This class boosted my confidence. After taking the class, I felt like I could bike on the interstate if that was legal. (Disclaimer: it actually is legal in Missouri because no alternate routes exist. Nonetheless, I only say I feel like I could do it, I admit I have not attempted it.) More importantly, it gave me the confidence that I DO have a right to the road, so I could cope with the harassment much better. (The way I cope is: I report it. Every time. No matter how small the incident. The difference is I don't get emotional about it.)

In addition to the confidence, it teaches you safer bicycling practices.

[Catrin]

I took the Traffic Skills class last June, and it was quite helpful. I think that I just need to find some way of working more urban riding into my rides - and I have done some of this but not in downtown Indianapolis. Well, not in Indianapolis at all but in a couple of surrounding towns. Not the same thing

Thank you, everyone, for your advice, it helps!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You'll do great! Read "The Art of Urban Cycling" by Robert Hurst. It really helped me deal with summer beach/tourist traffic, which is maybe not as bad a city traffic, but it has its moments (I call people leaving the beach "sun drunk")!

I highly recommend this book too. It totally changed the way I ride in traffic, and I feel way safer and more in control of my own wellbeing. It's largely about recognizing dangerous situations before you get into them, and choosing a safer alternative for yourself. Lots of stuff I had never thought about before, and stuff that seems counter-intuitive until you really think about it.

[Catrin]

btw, I think it's easier to do traffic by yourself, so not having a riding partner is a good thing. the best thing about heavy traffic is: THEY are all slower! YAAAY! sometimes you can actually keep up with traffic. You will find that if you are careful, congestion on a bike can be very pleasant (as opposed to being trapped in a car)

I am fortunate because I never actually SEE congestion - I walk in my office long before most people leave home. This is certainly good to think about though - especially if I decide to change my working hours for the summer

......Take some of your fuel cost savings and invest in LOTS of bright lights and reflective tape...and set an example for folks who under-illuminate themselves.

ETA: In looking at the map, it seems that you're well situated with Lanes that can at least get you across the river to one of the greenways...May not be the straightest route, but would keep you out of a lot of the riskier "downtown fringe" where the traffic is less disciplined and faster moving.

I believe that, if you're visible, predictable, courteous, and assertive, you should have no problem...but comfort grows with time and experience.

Yeah, it is the experience that I am lacking. I rode like a wild woman last summer, but on country roads. Dealing with huge farm equipment and the occasional car full of rednecks shouting complimentary things at me is a different thing than downtown traffic. I can't hear what they are saying anyway so I choose to believe they are compliments and I smile at them

The only part I am really concerned about is getting across the actual downtown to the White River trail - I am on the opposite side of downtown from it. There is a poorly designed bike lane or two... There is another bike/ped facility under construction but I don't think the northern bit is complete. There is a bit of a dicey neighborhood to ride through from 30th to get to Guion Rd (for those in the area) - but the last half of the ride wouldn't be much of a problem - at least I don't think so

Out of curiosity...how long is your current commute by car?

It takes me about 20-25 minutes from my front door to my office door - that includes a 2 block walk from the garage. There isn't much traffic at 5:30 am nor at 3:30 pm.... It would take longer to ride it - I can't ride that fast

I highly recommend this book too. It totally changed the way I ride in traffic, and I feel way safer and more in control of my own wellbeing. It's largely about recognizing dangerous situations before you get into them, and choosing a safer alternative for yourself. Lots of stuff I had never thought about before, and stuff that seems counter-intuitive until you really think about it.

Thanks for the book recommendation, I will check it out! Eventually I do want to try this - with only 14 miles to go it seems a shame not to try it out. Even if I only did it once or twice a week, it would certainly be a good thing!