For a motor-less, fuel-less vehicle, the bicycle is making a lot of noise in Columbus these days.

National publication Bicycling magazine recently listed Columbus as one of two “Future Best Cities” for biking. The magazine lists Columbus’ “Bicentennial Bikeways Plan,” which calls for major changes and additions to Columbus’ current cycling facilities by the city’s 200th birthday in 2012, as something that will change the Columbus cycling scene forever.

Even now, four years before the capital city hits its first deadline, the Columbus cycling scene – as well as the lifestyle of some city residents – is already shifting gears.

After decades of feeling like an automobile-only area, Central Ohio has begun to morph into a more bike-friendly region, says Brad Westall, greenways planner for Columbus’ Recreation & Parks department. The number of people on bicycles, especially commuters, also continues to rise as more cyclists travel the growing number of bike paths.

Columbus city parks alone have 50 miles of trails completed, and 15 additional miles in collaboration with the Columbus Metroparks and suburbs including Gahanna, Grove City, Dublin and Westerville. The ultimate goal is to create “The COG,” or the Central Ohio Greenways system, 160 miles of trails connecting across Central Ohio.

“We’re halfway toward our big goal,” Westall says, “which is to have everyone in the city live less than 10 minutes from a bike trail.”

Westall says it’s the goal of the city, including Mayor Michael Coleman, to have a large portion of the COG system in place by the year 2012. The Bicentennial plan calls for 100 miles of bikeways by 2012, with 50 miles of new projects “created by integrating bike lanes into street paving and construction,” among other tactics. Westall says the city also wants to implement several bike boulevards (where bikes take priority over cars) downtown.

With citywide initiatives rolling and bikeways becoming established, what better time to jump on the two-wheeled bandwagon? CityScene has all the details you need to know – what kind of bike to buy, what to wear, where to ride and more – to have you biking in style in no time.

Paths, Trails and Lanes
There are several trails that are frequently used by both commuters and recreational cyclists, says Jeff Stephens, executive director of Consider Biking, an education and advocacy group in Columbus. At approximately 12 miles in length, the Olentangy Trail runs north and south from Worthington through The Ohio State University campus and is one of the most popular and heavily-traveled trails. Stephens adds the Alum Creek Trail, which begins in Westerville and runs just more than 5 miles parallel to Alum Creek, is also a favorite.

Where else can Columbus residents ride? Visit these Web sites for trail maps, route descriptions and more: www.columbusrecparks.com; www.metroparks.net; www.jnybny.com; and www.centralohiogreenways.com.

A bicycle built for one
It’s important to think about needs versus wants when shopping for a bicycle. One of the first questions members of the Westerville Bicycle Club ask potential new cyclists is how they want to use their bike, says Shari Heinrich, former president of the club and longtime cyclist.

“They should ask themselves how they want to cycle,” she says. “Do they want to ride in mostly urban settings, or are they setting a goal to get out into the country? Do they prefer to ride on pavement or rather on gravel or mountain trails?”

Most bicycles fit into one of three general categories:

Road bikes
Characteristics:
- Thinner, high-pressure tires
- Tires are larger in diameter
- Lighter frame (makes it easier to go faster)
- Drop handlebars (making your body position more aerodynamic)
You might want a road bike if you:
- Plan to race competitively
- Want to take long bicycle trips or tours cross-country
- Like moving fast (road bikes are built for speed)

Mountain bikes
Characteristics:
- Wider tires with deeper tread
- Tires are smaller in diameter than road bikes
- Sturdier, heavier frame
- More suspension (to absorb vibration)
- Upright handlebars
You might want a mountain bike if you:
- Want to ride off the beaten path
- Are more interested in mastering rough terrain than moving fast

Hybrid bikes (are sometimes called “comfort bikes”)
Characteristics:
- Light frame (many times in between a mountain bike and road bike)
- Upright seated position (similar to a mountain bike)
- Tire width, pressure and size are in between mountain and road bikes
You might want a hybrid bike if you:
- Are new to cycling
- Want to ride around the neighborhood with your family
- Want to run errands, go the bank, etc.
- Want something versatile

Bike professionals and shop owners can help you figure out the essential heights and adjustments you need on your bike, says Dave Baer, owner of Baer Wheels bicycle shop on High Street. Road bikes tend to have more fitting needs than do mountain bikes or hybrids, which many times have adjustable seats and handle bars.

Some stores have electronic systems to measure interested bike owners. At the bike shop roll: at Easton Town Center and on Polaris Parkway, customers get a body scan using cameras and lasers, says owner Stuart Hunter. The scan helps store employees find the right bike for the customer.

Cost of a bike
Prices for different bike models can vary widely, store owners say. According to Hunter, bikes can start as low at $100 and “the sky’s the limit.”

According to Joe Kitchen, owner of Once Ridden Bikes on Indianola Avenue, a road bike typically costs the most: they can start around $600 and reach up to $6,000. Mountain bikes cost a little less, ranging from $300 to $3,000. Hybrid bikes have the lowest price point, ranging from $300 to about $1,000.

“If you spend a little more on a bike, it’ll last for years and years and years,” Kitchen says.

At the same time, new cyclists don’t need to buy a fancy bike, or even a new bike, to get started in the sport. Used bikes are often a good way to break into the hobby without hurting your pocketbook.

Heinrich advises cost-conscious cyclers to visit local bike shops for used bikes, such as The Third Hand Bicycle Co-op (located in downtown Columbus on 5th Avenue), a non-profit organization and bike shop. Buy a fixer-upper and do the repairs yourself at the co-op or buy a bike the co-op volunteers have tuned up.

Helmet head
Once you’ve found your perfect bike, it’s time to buy a helmet that fits your head. Helmets are not required by law (although kids under age 18 will be required to wear helmets come summer, thanks to legislation approved by Columbus City Council in July 2008), but bike shop owners, advocacy groups and safety experts all strongly recommend them.

Helmets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. To make sure your helmet fits, put it through the following tests:
- The shake test. Shake your head from side to side. The fit pads should hold it snuggly in place.
- The open mouth test. When you buckle the chin strap and open your mouth, you should feel the helmet press firmly against the top of your head.
- The peel off test. If you can “peel” the helmet off your head to the front or rear when the chin strap is tightened, the straps need to be tightened more.

Essential accessories
What extra items should a bicycle have? Make sure you and your bike have the following safety items:
- A headlight or lamp that emits white light: Ohio law requires any vehicles to have lights when on the roads from sunset to sunrise (or in inclement weather), and bicycles are no exception. Cyclists should have a light on “the bicycle or the operator” visible from at least 500 feet to the front and 300 feet to the sides. Law enforcement is taking the light requirement seriously: cyclists can be ticketed for not having them.
- A red reflector on the rear: also required by law, the reflector should be visible from 100 to 600 feet away.
- A flashing or steady red light in the rear (in addition to the reflector).
- A horn or bell; while not required, the law does say bikes can have devices that make “an audible signal,” as long as it’s not a siren or a whistle.
- A helmet: helmets are not required but are strongly recommended.
- A mirror: Heinrich says rearview mirrors make a huge difference in safety, especially when you ride on the road.

Depending on your destination and purpose (are you going to the store, or are you going on a long bike tour?), you might consider extra items for the ride:
- A seat pouch to store repair items
- A patch kit with fresh glue
- A chain tool (for off-road riding)
- Tire removal levers
- Spare inner tube
- Basic tool kit (can run about $30)
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen and protective lip balm
- Energy bars (Power Bars, Cliff Bars, etc.)
- Hand wipes
- Your ID
- A quarter for a phone call (or a cell phone)
- Cash ($5 of $10 for snacks, drinks, etc.)

Plan on riding your bike to work? Look for bikes equipped with the following features (note: in some cases, these can be installed on a bike):
- A chain guard encloses the chain and the bike’s gears keeping the greasy chain from touching your pant leg.
- A basket provides space to stow a purse, briefcase or other essentials.
- A rack, typically extending over the back tire, can clamp down necessities or luggage.

Your cycling wardrobe
If you’re riding your bike to race or for exercise, riders and bike shop owners suggest a certain wardrobe, although Heinrich says “You don’t need fancy things.” The more mileage you put in on a bike, the more likely you’ll want to invest in comfort items such as:
- A riding jersey. Most jerseys are made with a special type of fabric, which wicks sweat away from your body, keeping your skin dry as the sweat evaporates. This keeps your body from overheating in the summer or catching a chill in the winter. They also have pockets to store tools or an ID.
- Riding shorts. Riding shorts with a chamois pad makes sitting on a bike more comfortable, especially on long rides. One tip: make sure you get gender-appropriate shorts, as men’s and women’s versions have padding in different places.
- Riding gloves. Riding gloves have padding to absorb impact while you’re riding. They also help prevent calluses and/or blisters from gripping the handlebars.

However, not everyone wants to look like Lance Armstrong when climbing on a bike, Hunter says.

“I tell everybody I don’t look very good in Lycra, and I don’t know many people that do,” he says. “We have a lot of different options that allow people to not only enjoy riding but to express their own personal style, as well. There’s no reason to look bad riding.”

There are several apparel brands that sell casually-styled clothing with bike riding in mind. Some lines, such as roll:-favorite Prana, use technical materials (like moisture-wicking fabric) in their casual-yet-trendy styles. Other brands make items so the commuter is comfortable and protected from the elements.

For the more casual (or commuting) riders, Hunter suggests trying the following items:
- Liner shorts. These shorts, worn under your jeans or dress pants like underwear, provide the comfort (padding) and protection of riding shorts without the look.
- Clothing that’s not made from cotton. Riding in cotton can be uncomfortable, especially when you sweat. When considering style and comfort, make sure the clothes you pick are made from moisture-wicking fabric (much like a riding jersey). Prana and the women’s-specific brand Terry are just two possible brands to try.
- Bike-friendly bags and totes. Some companies manufacture fashionable bags with built-in clips and straps for attaching to a bike (the brand Basil, for example, carries a “double bag” which fits over either side of the bike’s back tire).
- Outerwear. Lightweight and waterproof, a rain suit or similar gear will keep nature off a rider’s back.

Riders can also outfit themselves with any number of accessories, from special sunglasses to iPod holders. You can spend as much or as little as you want, Hunter says.

From message boards to online shopping to blogs, these Web sites have plenty of cycling information for Central Ohio:
www.considerbiking.org; www.westervillebicyclingclub.org; www.outdoor-pursuits.org;  www.stolenbikeregistry.com; www.roll-online.com; www.baerwheels.com; www.onceriddenbikes.com; www.thirdhand.org

Kate Lohnes is assistant editor for CityScene.