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22 September 2011

Bike to Work. Anyone ?


Riding Your Bicycle to Work, by: Jeff Haug in TotalBike website

If more people biked to work we would have cleaner air and quieter streets that require less maintenance. So Why Not Commute By Bike? Here are 12 common excuses and 12 answers to those excuses:- 

1. It's too far to ride
If you live too far from work, consider driving part of the way and riding the rest. This is especially useful if you work in a traffic-congested area. Reducing of motor vehicle use will help the environment and becoming a bicycle commuter will create more awareness of other cycle commuters when you drive.

2. It takes too long
You'd be surprised! Because of traffic in urban areas, cycling generally takes less time than driving for trips of three miles or less, and about the same time for three to five mile trips. For longer trips, consider that you're saving time by combining your daily exercise with your commute. Also, don't forget your savings of time, money (and the environmental benefit) when you eliminate visits to the gas pump.

3. I'd have to get up much earlier if I rode my bicycle

If your commute is less than 10 miles round trip, the difference in commute time will be insignificant. But even if your commute is longer, 30 minutes of extra sleep won't be nearly as invigorating as an early morning ride. You'll arrive at work alert and refreshed. Likewise, your evening ride home should leave you more relaxed since you won't face the aggravation of sitting in rush hour traffic. And you won't have to rush off to an evening workout to unwind. You'll have already accomplished that!

4. I'm out of shape
If you leave yourself plenty of time and go at an easy pace, you'll find cycling no more difficult than walking. As you ride more, you'll ease your way into better shape, building fitness that will be a regular part of your schedule. If you have health problems, consult your family doctor for suggestions on getting started.

5. I can't afford a special commuting bicycle

You don't need one. Your old beater bike gathering dust in the garage will suffice if properly adjusted and maintained, and it's less attractive to thieves. If you have a recreational bicycle you can outfit it with a lightweight rack and bag or use a fanny pack to carry necessary commute items.

6. There's no secure place for my bike

There is probably a storage room or closet where your bike can be secured behind a locked door. Maybe you can even take it to your office - what a status symbol! Or check and see if parking is available in nearby buildings or garages. Otherwise, fasten it to an immovable object with a u-bolt lock, preferably where you can see it.

7. I have to dress nice for work

Some bicycle commuters simply ride in their business attire - they seem to command more respect from motorists. Most ride in casual or cycling clothes and change when they arrive. You can carry your change of clothes in a pack or in panniers on the bike, or even transport them back and forth on days when you don't ride.

8. I can't shower at work
Depending on the weather, you may not need a shower if you ride at a leisurely pace. If you do, take a washcloth, soap, towel and deodorant and clean up at the restroom sink, or look for a public facility or health club within walking distance of your workplace where you can shower. Then encourage your employer to install showers where you work.

9. What if it's rainy or cold
Start as a fair weather bicycle commuter - when the forecast is bad, don't bike. Some people may conquer the elements and commute every day, but it doesn't mean you have to. If you only ride when the weather report is favorable, it will still make a dramatic improvement. The more you enjoy bicycle commuting, the more you'll look forward to your daily ride. You may eventually decide to invest in rainwear and cold weather gear so you can commute year-round!

10. It's not safe to ride in traffic
You can share the road successfully with cars by riding lawfully and assertively. The fear of riding in traffic is often much greater than the actual danger. Most bicycle accidents involve children and cyclists who don't obey the law. Minimize risk by riding properly - visibly, predictably and following all traffic laws. In stop-and-go traffic, a fit cyclist can generally keep up with the traffic flow, so it's acceptable to maintain your place in the roadway. Hugging the curb invites danger as cars try to squeeze past you. To help prevent injury always wear a helmet. You can also reduce the risk of riding in traffic by using less congested secondary roads. You may travel a few extra miles, but you'll be able to enjoy the ride, a worthwhile trade-off.

11. I'd have to ride in the dark
Wear light colored reflective clothing, use a good lighting system and choose a route that avoids major thoroughfares. There are a variety of bike-mounted lights that can help you see and be seen.

12. I need my car for work
Some jobs do require an automobile, but many transportation tasks could be handled equally well on a bike. Meet with your employer and see if your company might not benefit from a more environmentally friendly image if you conducted your business by bike. Consider that many traditional tasks adapt well to cycling, whether it's police work, meter reading, postal delivery, etc. If you absolutely cannot use a bike at work, then use your bike for personal errands at work and at home.


A cycling lane at Precint 2, Putrajaya


 Bike to Work, by Mr. Mohd Zamzuri Suaib, from Ipoh


Some website regarding Bike to Work:




21 September 2011

Kayuhan Pra Aidilfitri 1432H & Hari Kemerdekaan 2011


Info kayuhan:

* Merupakan kayuhan pra - Aidilfitri kali ketiga pernah diadakan oleh Pedal Krem Riders yang mana ianya dimulakan pada tahun 2009 diikuti tahun 2010. Tahun 2011 ini lebih bermakna kerana tarikh Aidilfitri jatuh selang sehari dengan tarikh Hari Kebangsaan membuatkan kami menggabungkan keduanya dalam satu kayuhan

* Tarikh: 20 Ramadhan 1432H / 20hb Ogos 2011.

* Laluan: Bandar Tun Razak KL - Lebuhraya KESAS - Lebuhraya MEX - Putrajaya - Lebuhraya SKVE - Lebuhraya Sungai Besi - Bandar Tun Razak.

* Rakaman meter 'sweeper' (Wakjan):
Jarak kayuhan = 60.77km, masa kayuhan = 4:03:43 (jam/minit/saat), kelajuan maksima = 48.4 km/j, kelajuan purata (average) = 14.9 km/j

* Penyertaan:

Nota:
Tulisan berwarna biru boleh diklik untuk info lanjut. Gambar - gambar yang digunakan untuk artikel ini adalah dari koleksi Jusrizal, Ah Chong dan Wakdan. Segala hakcipta terpelihara. Klik pada gambar untuk melihat imej beresolusi lebih tinggi.


Mengalukan kedatangan rakan kayuhan baru, Pak Man (kanan, berbaju putih)


 Ah Chong memberi taklimat perjalanan pada semua


 Hairul (paling kanan), sempat menambah kalori sebelum berkayuh


 Lampu keselamatan pattern terbaru dipasang pada belakang helmet Jay


 Memulakan perjalanan dari Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras


Pelbagai gadget yang dipasang pada handlebar Wakdan


 Hafez (paling kiri) menyertai konvoi kami bermula dari persimpangan Bukit Jalil Lebuhraya MEX


'Gerabak belakang' menunggu Pak Man yang mahu berehat seketika


 Berhenti rehat di R & R Seri Kembangan


Semua peserta dah tiba di hentian rehat ...


Pak Man menggunakan 'talian hayat' supaya diri beserta basikalnya diambil di hentian rehat ini


Sweeper lucut jawatan selepas Pak Man mengundur diri dari menyertai kayuhan


Regrouping kembali di penghujung susur keluar Hentian Rehat Seri Kembangan


Menyambung kembali perjalanan menghala ke plaza tol Putrajaya


Regrouping sebelum plaza tol Putrajaya


Regrouping sekali lagi selepas plaza tol Putrajaya


Menuju jambatan di Putrajaya yang dipasangkan lampu boleh bertukar pelbagai warna


Dari merah, lampu di jambatan bertukar ke warna ungu pula


Cadangan untuk berfotografi di jambatan ini terpaksa dibatalkan kerana tidak cukup pencahayaan


Terjumpa rakan - rakan Genggerek yang kebetulan berkayuh di Putrajaya juga pada malam itu


 Antara rakan - rakan Genggerek yang ada pada malam itu


Apabila geng Pedal Krem Riders jumpa Genggerek. Penuh basikal di dataran depan Istana Kehakiman Putrajaya


 Proses penukaran pakaian berkayuh kepada persalinan baju raya


 'Tukang tilik' dalam rangka kerja mencari angle terbaik


 Jurufoto (Wakjan) semacam nak tengok anak bulan pula ...


Genggerek tumpang bergambar ( :


Wakdan pun mau tumpang bergambar. Itulah, siapa suruh tak bawa baju melayu ...


 Take 1: Action !!


 Take 2: Action !!


Gelagat Ah Chong a.k.a Tok Penghulu selepas sesi fotografi


Nak bertukar lokasi penggambaran pula. Masing - masing dah macam baru balik mengaji ...


Masjid Tuanku Mizan dari kejauhan di waktu malam


Bersiap - siap di lokasi penggambaran kedua


 Aisehhh ... Gambar gelap lah pula ...


 Tukar pakaian kayuhan semula, gerak ke Presint 9 untuk bersahur


Bersahur di restoran mamak Presint 9


 Genggerek pun bersahur di sini juga, penjuru sebelah kanan restoran


 Sampai tertidur sementara menunggu pesanan makanan masing - masing


 Selain makanan dan minuman, rokok juga dikategorikan sebagai menu bersahur ( :


 Masanya telah tiba untuk meninggalkan Putrajaya dan kembali ke Bandar Tun Razak


 Gelagat masing - masing bersahur pada minit terakhir sebelum azan Subuh berkumandang


 Menghampiri plaza tol di Lebuhraya Sungai Besi


Memasuki laluan sikal


 Tamatlah sudah Kayuhan Pra Aidilfitri 1432H + Hari Kemerdekaan 2011