How do I get started riding a bike? You really only need a bike with tires pumped up, and a helmet - there is a mandatory helmet law on Bainbridge Island. And then, have fun.

If your bike is in really poor repair, take it in to one of the excellent bicycle shops downtown and have it tuned up. They will also help you with fit if your bicycle is not the right size or if your seat needs adjusting. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Bicycle specific gear is great for commuting or long distance recreational riding, but if you think about the rest of the world, most people just wear their regular clothes. To begin with, just getting out to ride is great. It is good to bring water if it is a hot day.

There are some fine flat places to ride believe-it-or-not (see the Rides/Maps page) and Fort Ward is a particularly good place to start with kids. Some people ride for recreation and fitness, and others commute to their work place or use a bicycle for errands. Whatever works for you is perfect. Bainbridge has some challenging hills, but you can always get off and walk your bike. And the best news is that if you keep it up, you will find you can DO those hills.

Here is a brief summary, but for more detailed information, please check our links page. If you are planning to ride in the road, bright and visible clothing is important. Be sure to make eye contact with drivers. There is often a lot going on IN cars, so it's important to check if they actually SEE you. You may want to review the traffic laws about cycling (available on the Safety/Education page). If you are an automobile driver, all the same laws apply to bicycles. By law in Washington state, bicycles are considered vehicles with all the rights and regulations. This means RIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, stop at stop signs and ride as far out in the road as you need to be safe.

So, get on your bike, start riding and above all, have fun.

How do I get started commuting by bike? Bicycle commuting is an enjoyable trip to work which provides exercise, saves money, and helps to alleviate congestion, noise, pollution, and global warming. Sounds pretty great. . .and it is. And even if everything else goes wrong, you will still get a bike ride. We offer a quick, general overview, and if you are interested, you can get the State guide below or check out the online link.

It is a good idea to practice your riding skills or be a confident, predictable rider. Of course you need a bike and helmet. And you will probably need some minumum equipment and accessories. Later, if you decide to commute seriously, you can always get a better bike or better quality gear. If changing your clothes is an issue, you will need to carry these as well as any briefcases, laptops, purses or other equipment, so you will want to look into buying a bike rack and some panniers. Both the bike shops can help you with this. Remember, any initial costs are still cheaper than the costs incurred by driving a car. The day of your ride, be sure to allow extra time so you aren't rushed.

First you should size up your route possibilities. If there is someone you know who commutes to your area, you can ask them for information and advice. You can also contact the squeaky wheels board and we can help you find someone who commutes from your neighborhood or to your work area. It is a good idea to try your planned route on a non-working day so you get an idea of the time it will take and how it will be. That's basically it. It's easy if you break it down into steps and plan a little. Some workplaces even offer financial incentives to bike.

Here is a pdf of the excellent Washington State Bicycle Commuting Guide that you can download. If there is anybody left in the universe who doesn't already have a free copy of Adobe Acrobat used to read this pdf, you can download that here.

Ken Kifer's wonderful site is a good online place to start if you would like more in-depth information about commuting by bicycle .

Why should I join squeaky wheels? squeaky wheels supports Bainbridge Island cycling. We work to make the island a safer place for every adult and child. We do this through education, spreading and gathering information, and hands-on efforts like bicycle safety classes, rides and events. Joining our group helps by contributing information, and by donating money to fund these efforts. We welcome all comers and always need volunteer help. Our meetings are every third Thursday at the Marge Williams Center - 221 Winslow Way West at 7:00 p.m.

Here is more information about joining or click herefor an actual membership form you can print and mail to us right away. If you join squeaky wheels, you are doing something positive for the future of Bainbridge Island. You are making a difference in the world.

What happens to the money I donate to to squeaky wheels? squeaky wheels is a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer organisation so any money you donate is fully deductible to the extent allowed by law. In recent years, we:

• helped the Non-Motorized Plan pass the City Council
• brought Bike to Work and School Day to Bainbridge, partnered with Cascade - nearly 2,000 riders turned out last year on the island
• bought 20 bike racks with a City grant (for e.g, City Hall, the pool, the Commons, the Winslow Mall, Back of Beyond Kayak.)
• mailed out three newsletters annually to over 700 people.
• taught safe cycling classes at the high school with the PE classes.
• taught beginning cycling classes through the Park District
• spoke before civic groups and boards
• wrote safety flyer for the State Patrol about safe ferry exiting
• wrote The Walking and Cycling Guide to Bainbridge Island
  with the help of the city
• attended National Bicycle Educators Conference and Bike Alliance of Washington State Conferences in Olympia
• handed out free bike lights with grant from state
• staged first ever Get Lit ride in December publicizing safe lighting
• sponsored design contest at UW for ferry bike storage racks
• worked with Bainbridge Review to run safety ads educating cyclists and motorists about state laws
• created ferry schedules with bicycle events calendar
• invented Bike for Pie Ride and made all that pie
• staged five consecutive Night-Before-Chilly-Hilly Pasta dinners
• created and ran this website