We’re (finally) moving into warmer days — the perfect time for biking in the Capital Region. Grab your bike, pump up your tires and get your body moving! But whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just wheeling around, it’s always smart to revisit the basics of bike safety before hitting the roads and/or trails. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a few essential safety tips, along with some of our favorite trails for biking in the Capital Region.
Bike Maintenance Refresher
Before each bike ride, perform a quick safety check to make sure everything is in working order. (There’s nothing worse than realizing you have a mechanical issue after you’ve started your ride!) If your bike has been sitting unused for a while, it might be a good idea to take it to a local bike shop for a tune-up. The USA Cycling page has a detailed description of how to conduct a thorough bike inspection, but here’s a quick breakdown of what you should look at:
- Check tire pressure (using a gauge, not just pressing down with your thumb). Visually inspect your tires for cuts, cracks or debris.
- Test the brakes by rolling the bike forward and applying the brakes. The wheels should stop quickly; pay attention to how the brake levers feel and whether the brake pads are rubbing or seem worn.
- Assess the bike chain for rust, wear and proper lubrication (nothing should be squeaking, rubbing or grating). Do a quick test ride in your driveway to make sure you can change gears smoothly.
It may seem like an onerous task to complete each and every time you want to go for a ride, but once it becomes a habit it should only take a few minutes. (And prevention goes a long way — it’s much easier to conduct minor preemptive repairs than it is to try and fix something when you’re already on the go.)
Urban Bicycling Safety Tips
If you’re planning on sharing the road with cars at any point, you should definitely be familiar with the rules for bicyclists in New York:
- Bicycles must obey the same traffic signs and signals as cars.
- Ride on the right, in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic.
- Do not ride on the sidewalk, unless you’re accompanying children under the age of 10.
- When riding next to parked cars, allow clearance and watch for doors opening.
- Use hand signals before turning, changing lanes or stopping (as long as you can steer safely).
- A headlight and taillight are required at night (½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise).
- Pedestrians have the right of way.
In addition to following the laws for your safety, be alert to various road conditions as well. Road shoulders may be in poor condition or contain debris (in which case, you might need to assess whether it is safe to ride). Keep an eye out for potholes or cracks; not only do you want to avoid them, but you’ll need to be careful not to swerve around them and into the path of a motor vehicle.
Where to Bike in the Capital Region
If you plan to bike on the roads, the Albany Bicycle Coalition has created the Capital NY Bike Map, which details “low-stress routes for adult cyclists of average ability.” The map can help bicyclists avoid heavy traffic and highlights existing bike infrastructure so you can plan out your route accordingly.
If you’re looking for a route that’s a bit more scenic, the Capital Region has miles of multi-use trails perfect for biking. Here are just a few of our favorites, with trail maps, starting points and parking suggestions available at the links:
- Zim Smith Trail – Extending from Mechanicville to Ballston Spa, this 11.5-mile trail is mostly paved, offering a smooth path on which you can ride through marshland, forest views and the charming small town of Round Lake.
- Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail – This trail goes from Albany to Rotterdam, connecting to the Erie Canalway bike trail system to extend further west along the Mohawk River. According to New York Trailheads, most of the trail consists of paved bike paths, but you will ride on roads for brief portions of the route. Along the way you will go through residential neighborhoods, woods and fields, as well as ride parallel to the Mohawk River for fantastic views.
- Albany County Rail Trail (also known as the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail) – Following the path of the former Delaware & Hudson Railroad, this paved trail covers a breadth of scenery. As an added perk, you can rent a CDPHP Cycle via the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) bike-share system at the trail parking lot on S. Pearl St. in Albany. If you’ve never tried an e-bike, this might be the perfect time!
- Champlain Canalway Trail – This 6-mile trail follows the old Champlain Canal north from Peebles Island State Park. You’ll be able to enjoy wetlands, woods and abandoned stone canal locks, and end in the Town of Halfmoon.
- Warren County Bikeway – A paved, 9.4-mile multi-use trail beginning at Platt Street in Glens Falls and following rolling hills north to Ft. George Road in Lake George.
- Empire State Trail – This 750-mile cyclist’s dream, completed in 2020, connects Buffalo to Albany and New York City to the Canadian border. A combination of protected paths, city streets, highway shoulders and country roads, the Empire Trail offers views of just about every kind.
Top image: Kzenon, via Canva.com
