We're starting a bike column. Billy English is going to write it. That's all.

VOLUME 1

Features:

• Gear, Stuff & Things
• Bike Babes
• Ask Johnny Law

Written by Billy E

...

Dose of Motivation
If you’re just learning to ride a bike again or getting comfortable with getting off the sidewalk and riding your bike on the street where it should be, this little guy’s got some epic words of wisdom.

---

---

GEAR, STUFF & THINGS:

Safety First...or last
So you know you heard that old saying from growing up, maybe it was wood shop in high school or wherever, either way there those of us who listened and those that don’t. If you do insist on being safe, don’t take yourself too serious. Here's some suggestions for safely differentiating yourself from bike commuters in Arlington.

Nutcase - ridiculously fun helmets, like a melon helmet. If you’re Evel Knieveling your bike over cars you might need this one:

Bern helmets aren’t awful and you can pick these up in a lot of local DC bike shops:

Secret Project Hair helmet: The helmet that looks like your hair. Total goldmine.

For those of us with currently commuting with jet-packs on our bikes.

Be seen, it helps you not get hit while riding at night.

Knog makes these bendy blinkers, more streamlined then the average lights (which makes you look less like a giant flashing road sign) and they can be easily attached and removed on your bike.  Also note: badass packaging.

Can’t go wrong with these:
Skeletor approves.

For riding to your local rave (and seriously distracting some drivers), rock these from MonkeyLectic

---

---

BIKE BABES
Rider: Stephanie
Location: Outside Wonderland Ballroom (11th and Kenyon)

BYT: Nice wheels.
Stephanie: Yeah my friend gave me these Velocity ‘breast cancer awareness’ edition rims and they got Phil Wood hubs
BYT: So your shoes match your bike pretty well did you plan that.
Stephanie: Nah, these are just my favorite kicks to ride in, I found these pink checked vans at Smash a while back already a little broken in.
BYT: See you got some BMX cranks and your riding fixed.
Stephanie: Yeah I Iove riding fixed gears, I started about 7 years ago.

BYT: Got any good crash stories?

Stephanie: Yeah, about two years ago I was riding my Bianchi Pista on my way home when I got hit by a Audi doing an illegal U turn in Georgetown. Me and my bike flew up onto the hood and my head cracked the windshield, I came off the hood all busted up looking like a zombie, bleeding from my head and the side of my face. The car was driven by a valet and the couple who owned the car were right there on the street and saw the whole thing go down.

BYT: Where your favorite spots to go for a ride?
Stephanie: Gravelly Point to watch the planes come in and out from Reagan and Haynes Point when I can stand the spandex racers.
BYT: So, you’ve done a lot of work on your  bike?
Stephanie: Yeah, I’ve done all my own work, I think women should be more involved in fixing up bikes and being able to fix it when something breaks.
BYT: Anything else you'd like to share?
Stephanie: Some friends and I are going to be shooting a calendar soon called ‘Chicks on Fixed’

BYT: Sick. we’ll be looking for that calendar.

---

---

ASK JOHNNY LAW

Helmets, what if I don’t wear one? Can a soccer mom put me on citizens arrest? Johnny Law here to clear up things:

Failing to wear a helmet while biking in DC is not illegal (that is, as long as you are older than 16). If you are the under 16 and not rocking helmet hair, the penalties won’t get you a house arrest bracelet. First Offense: fine waived. Second Offense: $25 fine to parent.
Read the full law here: DC Bicycle Helmet Law