Biking to Work – See what it is like to Share the Road from a Cyclist’s perspective!

I am biking to work during the month of May. My name is Patrick. I am a husband, a son, and an uncle. I am also a bicyclist. I advocate Sharing the Road.

http://www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com/sharetheroad.

I am also the Director of School Training Solutions. http://www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com.

I choose to ride a bicycle, although I own multiple cars. I pay taxes.

Patrick Willi, Director of School Training Solutions, ready for biking.

May is National Bike Month. http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/
My goal is to ride to work all month.

This is my 5/21/13 trip via my helmet camera.
I work 2.69 miles from home.
It takes 10-15 minutes to drive.
It takes 10-12 minutes to bike.
I drive an old car with “bad” gas mileage.
I’ve saved at least $60.00 this month
.
Cyclists are held to the same laws as automobiles.
This includes stopping at Stop Signs and Traffic Lights.
Some states make exceptions for cyclists. Know your state laws!

This is Florida Hwy 90 (aka) Nine Mine Road (Pensacola, FL) – 6:50 a.m.

Pedestrians are supposed to travel toward oncoming traffic. They can see what is coming toward them.
Cyclists are supposed to travel with traffic. We don’t see what is coming toward us, from behind.
Bicyclists rely on motorists to be courteous and safely pass us.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
In 2011, 677 bicyclists died in automobile related accidents. http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/

Each morning I use 5 lights (2 solid; 3 flashing) and put on a bright orange bag.
I hope this makes me more visible to motorists.
On rainy or overcast days I add more lights and reflective clothing.
And this is only for 6 miles of riding a day.

Most states have a 3 foot rule to give bicyclists room on the road. http://www.3feetplease.com

Cyclists are not on the road to be a nuisance.
We are on bicycles for the same reasons you are in an automobile…
…traveling to work or to the store. (Or maybe for exercise.)

Co-worker about to say, “good morning.”
Good morning Josh. You’ll beat me to the office today.

I typically average 13-14 mph on this route. My max speed is about 20 (on this route).
Road conditions have an impact. Small debris and cracks can cause problems.
I feel every bump.

Cycling to work takes planning.
I prep everything the night before. Cycling clothes. Work clothes. Food. Bicycle and cycling gear, etc.
I also have to think about when/how I’m going to run errands before or after work.

The benefits I’ve noticed:
Exercise every day.
Saves money.
Reduces stress.
Better time management.
More energy at work.
Endorphins.

Draw-backs I’ve noticed:
Can’t carry as much stuff.

Motorists, thank you for safely Sharing the Road.

On April 5th, my team and I will be bicycling from New Orleans, LA to Pensacola Beach, FL as part of the Gulf Coast Interstate (GCI) Relay. When I am not on my bike, I am going to reflect, via blogging, about our experiences on the road. During this ride and the week surrounding it, we (STS) will also offer our Sharing the Road online defensive driving training course for a discounted price of $20.00 with the code “SHARING” at checkout. – Buy Now –

For more information about the relay visit: http://www.gulfcoastinterstaterelay.com/

For more information about The Center for Biological Diversity visit: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org

As the School Training Solutions (STS) product line continues to grow, it is easy to overlook where we started. School Training Solutions has offered school bus driver classroom training, online, since 2006. The STS school bus driver training product has grown from our original Oklahoma Certification to include multiple state solutions and catalogs geared toward entire schools or districts. STS online school bus driver training is currently used across the U.S. to satisfy classroom training requirements and yearly in-service training. Available 24/7/365, online training can be conducted when and where time permits. School bus drivers do not need to wait for classes to form, travel , worry about missed classes, or take time away from other activities during the day. Training can be taken when it is convenient! We offer a variety of online training solutions for school bus drivers and other school employees. If you are considering adding an online component to your training program, we can help. Thanks for your interest in School Training Solutions, and thank you for reading!

School Training Solutions – School Bus Driver Training

I’ve never considered my self an athlete, but I have always had a bunch of hobbies. As I’ve gotten older, those hobbies have transitioned into exercise. Running/jogging, cycling, swimming, hiking, SCUBA diving tend to fill the weekends now. Each of these activities include a certain level of risk, especially those that involve training on or using roads in general. This year my goal was to try to better broadcast a message of safety. My pet project morphed into our “Sharing the Road” campaign. Throughout the spring and summer School Training Solutions is going to offer select online courses at a discount while I participate in cycling, running, swimming and triathlon events. I hope these courses will remind drivers to share the road with pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, school buses, and other vehicles.

Check our “Sharing the Road” webpage for updates and photos about the 263 mile bicycle ride.

STS Cycling and Support Team - 2013