Car Free Commuting Tips to Prevent or Reverse Diabetes

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about going car free. After that post, I had a conversation with someone who said that they themself and their spouse have diabetes. In the same conversation, I happened to mention all the exercise I am getting with my new car-free lifestyle. What I found interesting was that this person made a point to talk about being safe on a bicycle because cars don’t look for cyclists. Well, I know the intention was well placed, but the paradox is that people often have images of the single accident that can injure you, but forget that our modern sedentary lifestyle is the real killer here, it just happens passively over time.

I do agree though about being safe and I will not try to minimize the risks of commuting by bicycle. However, we must remember that besides the health impacts of too much driving, car accidents are one of the top causes of preventable deaths in adults and children. Add in accidents that cause life-long injuries and bicycling starts to sound benign in comparison, mostly due to the safety precautions listed at the end of this post. If bicycling sounds too risky to anyone, then you can always go car free with walking, running, public transportation and carpooling. I personally like bicycling and find it to be an extremely efficient form of transportation, and fun! I am very cautious and I think the health, wealth and happiness benefits far outweigh the small chance of an unavoidable accident. I would rather do what I can do to avoid diabetes later, but more importantly feel better now.

As this conversation reminded me though, car drivers don’t always look for cyclists and pedestrians. I do think that cycling, and particularly walking and running, are much safer than driving, however, we do need to take safety into consideration with everything we do.  

As both a pedestrian and a cyclist, never use a cell phone while in motion, even hands free. Talking on the phone will take away your ability to pay full attention to your surroundings and possible hazards that could cause a fall or crash. Additionally, support stricter laws that make it illegal for drivers to use cell phones in the car, even hands free, which causes distraction for the driver and poses a significant safety risk for pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers. I know we all feel this need to be able to stay in touch all the time, but remember with a simpler life, you will have more time to make those phone calls in the privacy of your own home where you can give your full attention to that person. A future post will go into much more detail about the hazards of cell phones and how to optimize and limit use.

As a pedestrian, safety is somewhat simple. As I stated above, don’t use a cell phone while walking, even hands free. Actively look for cars and always expect that a car will not see or stop for pedestrians. We need to be defensive and not assume our right away will always be granted, even if it is the law.

Bicycling takes a bit more thought to stay safe, so I have a list of safety suggestions at the end of this post. However, I also strongly recommend that everyone take a bike safety class or find an online forum to learn from other people’s experience. There are many other tips from more experienced riders that I have omitted in this post including wearing brightly colored clothing, carrying a repair kit, riding at night and how to safeguard against theft. Knowledge is power.

If you incorporate these simple strategies and those listed below into your commuting routine, then you will significantly reduce your chance of an accident, and diabetes!

Bicycling safety tips:

1.       ALWAYS wear a helmet: Try not to make excuses on this one. Buy a new helmet so that there is not a chance of previous damage and replace every couple of years. Get it fitted properly and learn how to properly fasten.

 

2.       Ride like a pedestrian: I have been able to find routes that allow me to stay off the streets about 90% of the time. When I am not on trails, I ride slowly on sidewalks, except for pedestrian heavy business districts where, I will either ride cautiously in the street, or walk my bike on the sidewalk. I use pedestrian crosswalks instead of riding in a traffic lane. I ride a hybrid so that I can ride on non-paved terrain when needed. (Road bikes keep you strictly in the street.) Yes, riding like a pedestrian takes a little more time and is not quite as time or energy efficient, but if you take the principles to slow down in life and work less hours, then the time won’t matter and the inefficiency will only give you a better workout. Long term health and safety is optimized with this approach. Just remember to never compromise the safety of a pedestrian.

 

3.       When in the streets: There are times where you just have no option, but to get in the street. Avoid major streets and highways where there is heavy, fast moving traffic. Only go on roads that are designated as bike routes and have clearly marked paths with ample room for a bike lane. Make sure to signal your turning intentions and always ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic. Watch out for people in parked cars who may open their door without looking for cyclists.

 

4.       When on the off road paths: Bike paths are great, but remember, that they are actually mixed use paths, so you will find walkers, runners, in-line skaters, dogs, baby carriages and all ages of people. Remember to respect others for their use of the path and keep speeds slower than 15 mph. Always ride to the right and pass on the left, but look behind you and in front of you first before moving to the left. Identify yourself to the pedestrian when you pass, but do not shout as that startles the pedestrian and could cause them to step in front of you. Pedestrians should give the same consideration and look both ways before crossing or changing locations in a lane. Bike paths are not for training speeds. If you want to train, then find a good road. This blog is not about competition, so I won’t elaborate.

 

5.       Get a tune-up at least once or twice a year. Talk to a professional for an optimum schedule for your riding habits. Tune-ups and bicycle repairs are a fraction of the costs of owning a car, so you can stay safe and still be money ahead… way ahead. It is important to make sure that your gears are shifting properly, your wheels are aligned and brakes in good working condition. Brake pads and tires wear out from both use and the outside elements, so make sure to replace when recommended. If a bike has been sitting idle for a while, it is best to have a professional do a safety check.