 Biking in Fairbanks
Make a promise to leave the car at home - once a month, once a week, or every day.
Save gas, keep the air clean, and get some exercise in the process.
Routes
Only a few Fairbanks roads are actually off-limits to bikers. These include the Parks Highway, the Johansson Expressway, and parts of Airport Way. On most smaller roads, it is acceptable to bike on the shoulder, so long as one follows all traffic rules. But some roads are so narrow and so busy that biking on them is at best unpleasant and at worst highly dangerous.
Other options include multi-purpose paths and sidewalks. A complete map of bike routes can be obtained from the Public Lands office at Cushman Street and 3rd Avenue.
In summer, all these areas are fully accessible. In winter, plowing has been spotty on bike paths. Unplowed paths can be very difficult to navigate for bikers and for pedestrians - help us advocate to keep them clear!
Safety
- Follow traffic rules. Do not run red lights, bike against traffic, cut off cars or weave in and out. Not only will bad road behavior endanger your own safety, it could also cause drivers to panic, and will certainly raise the existing level of animosity against bikers.
- Wear a helmet. Your head is worth it. Enough said.
- Use a headlight, red flashing tail lights, and reflectors (available at many sports shops and at Fred Meyers). You should be highly visible from all sides and all angles. In the winter, it's dark most of the time. Invest in some rechargeable batteries (available at Radio Shack or via mail-order) and keep your lights bright.
- When in doubt, assume that drivers can't see you, and act accordingly.
- Keep your bike in working order. Make sure your brakes are tight and your wheels are properly aligned, and if winter biking, consider investing in studded tires (available at Greatland Sports and Beaver Sports).
Gear and Clothing
All seasons -- Taking a bike pump and either tube patches or a spare tube, and a couple of bike tools for adjusting the brakes and gears is a good idea - but first make sure you know how to use the tools. Wear clothing that retains its warmth while wet, eg wool, fleece, or other synthetics, but NOT cotton. Keep in mind that biking is windy, even on a still day, so aim for fabrics that are wind-resistant but still breathable. Lock your bike securely whenever you leave it - a lot of bikes disappear in Fairbanks.
Summer/Spring/Fall - Even if the weather is warm, bring warm clothing, especially if you are traveling a long way. Rain can chill you very quickly, and raingear is only partially effective on a bike. Take water with you. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.
Winter - Dress in layers. Even in very cold weather, you may become warmer than you expect after pedaling hard for a while. Make sure your head, face, hands and feet are well covered, but don't wear so much on your torso that you sweat heavily. For the coldest weather, you'll probably need a face mask, neck-gaiter, hat, heavyweight mitts, wool socks, and insulated boots (Lobans are light and work well, although some people manage in Sorels or bunny boots). On your body and legs one or two layers under a windproof layer should be enough, depending on temperature. A thin hat will fit under your helmet, and taping the vent holes shut will greatly increase its warmth. At temperatures below minus thirty, it generally becomes difficult or impossible to bike, as ice fog lowers air quality and the freezing of oil/grease in your hubs increased turning friction.
Good luck - see you out there!
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