Biking BTV
Tips on two-wheeling your way through town By Tyler Machado
Car owners, be warned: On-campus parking permits are expensive. So are parking tickets. And you don’t even want to deal with winter parking bans. Save yourself the time and the hassle of driving in Burlington — for a college student, these streets are best navigated by bike. Sure, it’s cold here most of the year, and the city has more hills than bike lanes. But you can’t beat the flexibility, mobility and low cost of cycling. And you’ll look cool, too. Here are a few tips to maximize your pedal power:
Safety first In a bike versus car collision, guess what? The car always wins. So put lights on the front and back of your bike. Don’t blow through stop signs and red lights at full speed. And, seriously, wear a helmet.
Bike to the bus When you need a motorized lift, remember: CCTA buses are outfitted with bike racks (and free with your student ID). Because coasting down to the waterfront is no sweat, but pumping back uphill to campus isn’t as fun.
Increase your carrying capacity Invest in a basket or a crate for your bike. It’s the easiest way to haul around books, groceries and just about anything else.
Secure your ride Burlington is generally a safe city, but bike thefts are depressingly common. Buy a sturdy U-bolt lock — it’s the unlocked rides that are most likely to get snatched.
Move over Sad but true: Bike lanes in Burlington are scattered and poorly thought out. So, whether you’re biking, driving or even longboarding, you have to share the road. Think of it as good karma.
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Lube up Your bike will last longer and ride better if you take good care of it. Get it tuned up once a year, keep it clean of mud and road debris, and make sure you keep the moving parts nice and lubricated. It doesn't hurt to befriend a bike mechanic — or learn the skills yourself.