City of Davis

Bike Commuting

Getting Started Commuting by Bicycle

• Arrange for secure bike parking. Contact your employer about parking or carry a good lock.
• Choose your route. Study maps and base your route on the traffic volume at the time of day you'll be riding.
• Drive your route first. Look at shoulder construction, street surface and street condition of the route your are considering for your commute.
• Check the mechanical safety of your bike.
• Obtain necessary repair tools and learn to use them. Consider bringing a spare tube, patch kit, tire irons, bike pump and a set of simple tools. Most bike shops can make recommendations specific to your bike.

Before You Ride

• Make sure your bicycle is in good riding condition. On a periodic basis you should take it to a bicycle shop for a check-up or inspect the following things yourself:
• Brakes - Standing next to your bike, push it forward squeezing each brake one at a time. Each brake should offer considerable resistance.
• Wheels - Grab hold of each wheel alternately and try to move it side to side without moving the frame. The wheel shouldn't wobble. Lift the bike and spin each wheel. Look for spots where the brake touches the rim. If it does, this will require adjustment (truing).
• Tires - Check the pressure with a gauge or by thumb pressure. (It should be firm.) The recommended pressure is normally printed on the side of the tire. Fill your tires using a hand pump to avoid over inflation or possible blow-out caused by using gas station compressors set for automobile tires.
• Seat - Adjust seat height so your knee is just slightly bent when the pedal is straight down. If major adjustments are needed, make them incrementally, allowing your body time to adjust to each new setting.
• Handlebars - Holding the front wheel still, try to move the handlebars from side to side. If the handlebars turn more that the wheel, they need tightening.
• Steering - Holding the handlebars, depress the front brake lever and rock the bike back and forth over the front wheel. If you detect play, or a knocking noise, the headset needs adjustment.

Basic Cycling Essentials

• Helmet (ANSI and/or Snell approved)
• Water bottle(s) & cage(s)
• Lights & reflectors (for night riding)
• Lock
• Frame pump
• Spare tube, patch kit, tire levers
• Compact first aid kit
• Tools specific to your bike

When You Ride

• Wear a bicycle helmet. Use only A.N.S.I. or Snell certified helmets.
• Wear comfortable clothes but look out for shoe laces, pant legs, etc. that can get caught in your bike chain or spokes.
• If you are riding at night or at dusk, follow these additional considerations:
  • Wear light colored clothing. Consider clothing with reflective tape sewn into it or add some yourself.
  • Use a light. The front light should be white and a rear one red or orange. A front reflector is not a suitable substitute for a front light!
  • Make sure you have a red rear reflector. Side or pedal reflectors are helpful too.
• Take adequate protection for changing weather conditions, i.e. rain, etc.
• Never ride against the flow of traffic.

Riding Tips

• Watch for turning automobiles. A vehicle turning left across your path may not see you. Be prepared to stop. A vehicle slowing to turn right should never be passed on the right. After checking traffic behind you and signaling, you may pass on the left.
• Never pass a bus on the right as you may collide with passengers getting off the bus.
• When riding near parked cars, be aware that car doors can suddenly open in front of you. Ride far enough away from parked cars that an open door won't be a problem.
• When riding on a two lane road be aware of traffic backing up behind you and allow it to pass whenever possible.
• Be considerate to right-turning motorists when stopped at an intersection by leaving them room to make their turn, especially if it is possible to make a right turn on red.
• Let pedestrians and other cyclists know you are passing them with an audible warning before you pass. If a conflict arises, pedestrians have the right-of-way.

 

How to Bicycle between Sacramento and Davis
Westbound ( Sacramento to Davis ):

From Sacramento cross the Tower Bridge, taking the exit onto West Capitol Avenue. Continue on West Capitol for approximately 3.25 miles to the Yolo Causeway Bike Path on the north side of Interstate 80. Continue on the bike path for approximately 5 miles. At the end of the causeway you will emerge on a levee road leading to County Road 32A. Continuing westbound on County Road 32A, you have an option at the intersection of County Road 105 to take a Class I bike path directly into downtown Davis. Note that this bike path has only two exit options: at Mace Avenue and Olive Drive. You may also cross the railroad tracks and bear left to continue on County Road 32A, which connects to 2nd Street to downtown Davis. Distance: approximately 16 miles.
Westbound Option:

If your destination is in South Davis, you may take an optional route on Chiles Road, a frontage road on the south side of Interstate 80. From the west exit of the Yolo Causeway Bike Path, cross under the highway and follow the road westbound to South Davis, with connections to the Putah Creek Bike Path.

Eastbound ( Davis to Sacramento ):

Essentially the reverse of above, with one adjustment. On approach to the Tower Bridge, you must cross under the expressway to access the eastbound lane. Follow bike route signs.