Don’t let the cold stop you from biking in Lee’s Summit
I was 5 when I discovered the joy of riding bicycles.
It gave me freedom and allowed me to appreciate nature.
Even when I received my driver’s license, I continued to bike frequently. My passion for environmentalism has kept me motivated to continue riding bicycles as a mode of transportation.
I became a year-round bicycle commuter three years ago when I was 17. It has changed my life for the better and it inspires me to change the world in positive ways.
I joined the Livable Streets Advisory Board in August to promote bike lanes and bicycle culture in Lee’s Summit to make it safer to travel on two wheels.
Nothing feels better than biking to work on a beautiful morning. My ride to work takes between 20 and 25 minutes one way. I am less tired and more motivated to work when I bike to work versus driving.
Exercise in the morning is an amazing way to wake up and biking to work is a good way to manage your time when exercising. Getting exercise when you are traveling to work and back home takes less time than having to change your schedule to go to the gym.
Alternative modes of transportation, like bicycle commuting, walking and mass transit are the solutions to reducing traffic congestion, air pollution and noise pollution. People making short bicycle trips will have a huge impact on the city in making it safer and healthier.
I am a web design and developer intern at the Lee’s Summit School District office off Northeast Tudor Road. My commute is approximately 4 miles one way, which means I bike around 8 miles a day. However, my daily biking mileage can range between 12 and 20 miles if I bike to work, school and run errands
The winter weather doesn’t stop me from bicycling. Biking in the winter is not as bad as many people think. On a morning that is between 20 and 32 degrees, I wear gloves, a thick jacket, and a scarf around my face. A hood over a helmet helps keep your head warm.
Bicycle commuting can be more enjoyable and comfortable with the right accessories. My road bike has saddlebags that are attached to a rack over the rear tire.
That’s where I store my backpack, phone, wallet, groceries and other objects. Other accessories I recommend are a front/rear lights and a u-lock. To make sure car drivers can see you, turn your bike’s front and rear lights on at night or on cloudy days.
A u-lock is better against theft protection than a cable lock. It is also important to be aware of where you are riding on the road. To safely bike around Lee’s Summit, use shared-use trails, shared-use sidewalks and shoulders if they are available.
On very busy roads, I will ride on regular sidewalks and use crosswalks. The Livable Streets Advisory Board is working to make recreational and transportation biking safer.
If you are driving a car and you see a person on a bike, there are two ways to make sure the bicyclist feels safe. The first is to slow down. Then, pass them after making sure to give them a safe distance.
I recommend not passing people on bikes in dense areas, like Downtown Lee’s Summit. Driving slow and taking your time will keep you, other car drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, safer.
According to Missouri State Law, bicyclists are allowed to use roads without bike lanes, and cars have to pass safely. It is common for bicyclists to feel unsafe and uncomfortable when cars pass them at high speeds and with little room. Try to be patient and take your time when traveling through the city.
This article was submitted by Zachary Burton, a Lee’s Summit resident and member of the Livable Streets Advisory Board, a mayor-appointed, volunteer board whose goals include working to make our community and our streets more livable, safe and accessible for all of our citizens.