May 2023 Newsletter: May is Bike Month is HERE!

Each month Yolo Commute sends a newsletter to its members with useful information about commuting and transportation. This month’s newsletter focuses on bicycling during the annual May is Bike Month*.

It’s back! Let’s make this May one to remember by getting more people riding bikes than ever before. ⚡️

Ride with your workplace, ride solo or ride for the first time – however you roll, let’s show the world that life is better when it’s pedal-powered!

Join in-person events, one of the many bike rides, help your workplace top the leaderboards, encourage others and win amazing prizes this May is Bike Month. Are you in?

Follow the Sacramento Region May is Bike Month on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated.

Happy riding!

https://www.lovetoride.net/sacregion

Explore!

During May is Bike Month, we also encourage you to discover the Sacramento region’s bicycling infrastructure! Your bike can be a ticket to many parts of Northern California and can be
easier than driving your car.

Where Can Your Bike Take You?

The Sacramento Region has a variety of bike trails and safe roads to practice riding. Riding short distances such as to a park, coffee shop, or to school with your kids can be good practice to gear up for a longer daily commute. You can use sac511.org to find the most bike-friendly route. Additionally, many local bike maps are available at the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates website: https://sacbike.org/resources/maps/.

What if I want to go Further?

Bikes on Transit

Many regional transit services allow bikes on board, allowing you to go farther without a car. However, each has different requirements for storage and bike dimensions.

Yolobus has a 3-capacity bike rack on the front of most of their buses, with Luggage Bay storage on the 215 coaches

YOUR Ride micro transit allows up to 2 bikes on board

SacRT buses have a 2-3 capacity bike rack

SacRT lite rail has space for bikes in both racks and the rear of the cars.

SolTrans buses have a 2-capacity bike

All the above racks are first-come-first serve.

Long-Distance Travel

Capitol Corridor allows you to carry-on your bike for free with no reservations and offers bike parking at many of its stations. There are about 24 bike spaces on each train. The parking is downstairs in 2 designated cars.

The San Joaquins also offer free carry-on bicycle parking.

The California Zephyr and the Coast Starlight allow you to check your bicycle in the baggage car for a fee of less than $20. Bicycles must be less than 50 lbs, maximum dimensions of 70″ x 41″ x 8.5,” and have tires no wider than 2”.

You may want to book your ticket several months in advance as bicycle reservations sell out very quickly.

There are special rules that apply to folding bicycles and at certain stations. When you purchase your ticket, you will be able to reserve a spot for your bike and learn more about station specific policies.

Where can you not bring your Bike?

Unitrans does not accommodate bikes, however, the city of Davis has bicycling-supportive infrastructure that makes travel time competitive with the bus.

If taking other regional micro transit, be sure to read their policies or call ahead to find out if bikes can be accommodated.

Biking Best Practices

Avoid riding on sidewalks, against the flow of traffic, on freeways, and in hazardous conditions.

However, don’t hesitate to prioritize your safety by taking the lane or using the crosswalk to walk your bike through an intersection. Ride how you feel most comfortable.

You can utilize your $100 bike accessory incentive to buy a new helmet and reflective clothing!

Lovetoride.net has lots more tips for every type of rider. (You can also register for May is Bike Month on their website!)

May is Bike Month is the perfect time to test out new ways of getting around! By exploring the region on your bike, not only will you be contributing to transportation sustainability, but you will be increasing your health, saving money, and seeing your city from a different perspective. Sign up for one of the many rides in the region (including Yolo county!) scheduled for May is Bike Month!

-Sophia Linnevers, Intern

May Sources:

https://www.lovetoride.net/sacregion?locale=en-US

https://sacbike.org

https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/bring-your-bicycle-onboard.html

---

April 2023: Maximizing your May is Bike Month Incentives!

 

Each month Yolo Commute sends a newsletter to its members with useful information about commuting and transportation. This month’s newsletter helps you get geared up for the annual May is Bike Month*.

May is Bike Month (MIBM) is a national celebration of bicycling that encourages people to use their bike to get to work, school, and around town! The Sacramento Region has dozens of events and programs to help you get riding. Yolo Commute and its members are offering various incentives and hosting events throughout the month of May. A full schedule of programs can be found on the Love to Ride website, where you can also register yourself and workplace for challenges and more!

To celebrate MIBM, Yolo Commute offers up to $100 towards bike accessories or tune-ups/repairs, $200 towards a new standard bike, and $300 towards a new e-bike.

Several local resources can help you get riding comfortably and easily.

Here is a list of bike stores around the Yolo region:

Foy’s Bike Shop 352 W Main St. Woodland	The Bike Garage 1st & Hays St. Woodland by Douglas Middle School And 1500 Cannery Ave. Davis at The Cannery, behind the Barn
Ken’s Bike-Ski-Board650 G St. Davis	Freewheeler Bicycle Center703 2nd St. Davis
ASUCD Bike Barn400 Hutchison Dr. Davis	Davis Cyclery247 F St. Davis
Apex Cycles105 E St. Ste 2C Davis	Davis Bikes and Skateboards903 3rd St. Davis
Davis Bike Exchange423 L St. Davis	Green Bicycle Depot965 Olive Dr. Davis
Davis Bike Collective1221 ½ 4th St.	Mike’s Velo City7 E. Main St. Ste A Winters
Edible Pedal328 3rd  St. West Sacramento	West Capitol Cyclery2027 West Capitol Ave. West Sacramento

 

Make the most of your $100 Accessory Incentive!

There are 4 absolute essentials for your bike, and then some optional items that can make your ride more fun and comfortable!

1. Bike Helmet- a helmet can prevent injury and help reduce your stress while riding! This one is affordable, safe, and sleek.
2. Front and Rear Reflectors- bicyclists are required by law to have reflectors when riding at night. If your bike did not come with reflectors when you bought them, you can get them here!
3. White Front Light- This pack includes both red and white lights for enhanced safety!
4. Bike lock- This lock has both a U-Lock and a cable. It is always smart to research which lock best fits your needs before you buy.

All these products combined will cost about $130.

If you don’t need the essential accessories, you can mix and match these fun and functional items!

1. A rear bike rack and a basket to carry a briefcase or small backpack!
2. A front basket that can be taken on and off (can use it as a shopping basket!)
3. A super comfortable bike seat will help you enjoy the ride!
4. A strawberry bike bell or maybe motivational gold chrome is more your style!
5. A pair of gloves for chilly days
6. Or a fan for hot ones
7. Extra spoke reflectors
8. A reflective sash
9. A phone mount
10. A water bottle holder to stay hydrated while on the go

Make the most of your $200-$300 Bike Incentive!

First, decide what kind of bike meets your needs…

Terrain

Think about what kind of terrain you go through on your way to work. If you go up and down hills or overcrossings, opting for a 3-7 speed bike will ease your journey. If you bike on gravel, trails, or rough roads, wider tires are helpful. An e-bike or accessible bike can make bike commuting substantially easier for all riders, especially on longer commutes. 

Traffic

Traffic patterns also influence what style of bike you should opt for. When biking on city streets, light-weight bikes with upright handlebars can make negotiating with cars and pedestrians easier.

Beyond Commuting

Your bike can be used for much more than commuting. A road or mountain bike will get you to work and allow you to pursue rides for sport or leisure after hours.

Professional Dress

If you wear professional clothing, skirts, or dresses, a step through bike can allow you to get on and off your bike easily and protect your clothing. An e-bike can reduce the amount of effort it takes to ride, making you less sweaty and gets you to work faster!

Next, get fitted and test ride!…

The Bike Garage in Woodland and Davis will allow you to test ride a bike that meets your needs for free. You can ask for assistance with choosing a bike at any local bike store.

To save money, buy used…

Buying a good-condition bike second-hand can save you hundreds of dollars and get you an awesome ride.

A comfortable ride can make a huge difference when it comes to deciding to bike to work. Taking advantage of Yolo Commute’s incentives can put you one step closer to making that choice! If you are not sure about what accessories to buy or what kind of a tune-up your bike needs, ask one of the local bike shops listed above!

Happy Riding!

-Sophia Linnevers, Intern

*Yolo Commute is not sponsored by any of the brands, products, or organizations mentioned in this article. Purchase and use all example products at your own risk.

March 2023: Women and Commuting

 Each month Yolo Commute sends a newsletter to its members with useful information about commuting and transportation. This month’s newsletter celebrates Women’s History Month by discussing women’s commuting patterns and needs.
 

The history of women’s commuting patterns is closely tied to the history of women’s participation in the workforce. In the early 1900s, most women worked in the home, fulfilling childcare duties, domestic chores, and manufacturing of goods for home businesses.  

But by the 1930s, 50% of unmarried women held jobs in the workforce, and this number continued to rise as women became more educated. During World War II, women entered the workforce to support the war effort. This led to a significant increase in the number of women commuters, and it also led to changes in commuting patterns. Women began to commute longer distances to reach jobs in factories and other industries.  

As married women began to work outside the home throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s, women began to have longer careers and gained greater financial independence and rights. Today, about 56% of women and 67% of men in the U.S. are a part of the labor force. 

However, despite women working outside the home at much higher rates than they did 100 years ago, they still tend to be responsible for a larger share of childcare and household responsibilities.  

Women may not be commuting alone but might drop children off at school in the morning, then stop at the grocery store in the evening and take kids to extra-curricular activities. Several studies have shown that women feel the stress of a commute much more than men do. They must coordinate multiple stops and weigh the advantages of different modes of transportation.  

In order to accomplish these extra tasks, women tend to work closer to home. In Yolo County, 55% of women and 46% of men travel less than 20 minutes to work in 2021. More women walked, biked, or took public transport than men, 12.6% vs 10.6%. However, over 70% of both women and men workers still drove alone to work. 

It is important to understand how women commute, because not only do they make up 47% of Yolo County’s workforce, but they also have responsibilities and circumstances that lead them to experience transportation differently. Greater awareness also can lead to workplace practices that are more accommodating. Arrangements such as telecommuting and flexible scheduling make commuting easier and are becoming more routine as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

As urban planners have noted, when a woman finds transportation to be functional, usable, and safe, it is a good indicator that other people do as well. Workplaces and transportation systems can work together to promote positive commuting experiences this March and beyond.

-Sophia Linnevers, Intern

 

Past Newsletters

February 2023: “Discount Transit Pass Program!”
January 2023: “Understanding Your Commute Options with SacRegion511”
December 2022: “Understanding Your Employees’ Transportation Needs”
November 2022: “Guaranteed Ride Home: A Commuter’s Lifeline”
October 2022: “E-Bike Loan Program”
September 2022: “Driving Costs How Much?“
August 2022: “How You Can Benefit from Not Driving to Work”
July 2022: “FY 2022-23 Outlook”
June 2022: “FY 2021-22 Year in Review”