Whether you’re a daily commuter looking to brush up on your skills, or new to cycling in Savannah (or at all!), we’ve put together some resources to help you out.
Want to learn more? Sign up for our Savannah City Cycling Webinar, or watch one of our recorded sessions.
BIKING BASICS
Familiarizing yourself with bicycle maintenance, clothing and types of locks will help you on your bike commute!
- Know your ABCs (air, brakes, chain and cranks)? An ABC Quick Check before heading out on your ride ensures your bike is safe to ride, and helps you notice when anything might go wrong.
- Knowing how to change a flat tire helps out in a pinch.
- What does “riding as far to the right as practicable” mean? Check out the Rules of the Road and this video.
- Confused by the tech speak? Check out this bike anatomy lesson.
- A reflective ankle strap will prevent your pants from getting greasy or snagged in the chain, while adding extra visibility. Or, if you’re in a pinch, just roll up your right pant leg so it’s out of the way.
- Use a quality bike lock! You can check out our recommendations on bike parking and locking here, but we recommend using a u-lock and cable lock at the same time whenever possible. When locking, use bike racks or tall street signs that your bike can’t be lifted over — and make sure they’re firmly attached to the ground.
Learn more about biking basics with these videos from our friends at the League of American Bicyclists.
BIKES ON PUBLIC TRANSIT
All of Chatham Area Transit’s fixed-route buses are equipped with bike racks so customers can take their bikes with them at no extra cost.
Having the ability to bring a bike along allows CAT customers to bike to their closest stop when it is too far away to walk or to get to more distant stops that better match their travel times. Customers can also use their bikes to travel the final leg of their trip when they get off at their stop.
General information about Catching a CAT with a Bike:
- No additional cost beyond bus fares
- No special passes or training required
- Bike racks can hold up to two conventional bicycles
- Bike racks available on a first-come, first-serve basis
- Passengers are responsible for loading and removing bikes
How to use the bike rack
- Wait at any bus stop with your bike. Please remove any loose items from your bike before the bus arrives.
- When the bus pulls up, indicate to the operator that you want to load your bike then go to the front of the bus where the bike rack is.
- Unfold the bike rack away from the bus.
- Lift up your bike and place it, front wheel first, into the wheel slot. When both slots are empty, use the slot closest to the bus first.
- The rack has a support arm in front of each wheel slot. Pull out the one in front of your bike and bring it over the front tire. Make sure everything is secure, but do not lock your bike to the rack.
- Get on the bus and enjoy the ride. Keep an eye out for other riders using the bike rack as you may need to get out and move your bike so they can access their bikes.
- When you’re ready to get off, tell the driver you need a moment to get your bike. Exit the bus at the rear like usual.
- Unhook the support arm, fold it down, and remove your bike. If there are no other bikes on the rack, please fold it up and secure it to the front of the bus.
- For your safety, return to the curb with your bike and wait for the bus to pull out before crossing the street.