How to Cross Railroad Tracks on a Bike

If you ride your bike in downtown Savannah, you’ve definitely come across some railroad tracks! Here’s how to cross them safely so your ride continues without a hitch.

  1. Slow down and come to a complete stop if the crossing is un-signalized.
  2. If the crossing is signalized, reduce your speed and still look both ways.
  3. Always cross at a 90 degree angle. Make sure your tires run perpendicular with the tracks.
  4. Take extra precaution when the tracks are wet, as there is less traction for your wheels.
  5. While crossing, stand on your bike pedals out of the saddle. Keep them level (feet at three and nine on the clock) as you smoothly coast across the tracks and keep your knees and elbows loosely bent — it’ll help you keep your balance and absorb shock.
  6. Never cross when the lights are flashing and the arm is down, or if you see a train coming. Railroad lights and the arm are designed for your safety.

Small tires — like on bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards or skates – can become stuck when in-street tracks are crossed at too low an angle. Always pay attention to the angle of your wheels when you cross!

City presents data-driven, community-led approach to Vision Zero traffic safety plan

Last week, City of Savannah staff presented the recently completed Vision Zero action plan to City Council. The public can view the plan by visiting www.savannahga.gov/visionzero. 

The overarching goal of Vision Zero is to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Savannah by creating safer streets for everyone on the road. City Council approved the Vision Zero resolution on Feb. 24, 2022 and directed staff to develop an action plan for the initiative within one year.

“Regardless of how you may travel in Savannah, whether by car or bike or on-foot, we want you to get to your destination safely,” said Mayor Van Johnson. “Vision Zero will guide the City’s efforts to design transportation networks that prioritize safety with a focus on the unique and ever-evolving needs of our community.”

The Vision Zero action plan emphasizes substantive community engagement and collaboration, as well as continuous collection and analysis of data, to identify safety concerns and opportunities for improvement. 

“I’m proud to say the Vision Zero action plan is a holistic, inclusive approach to traffic safety,” said Alderman Nick Palumbo. “This plan is a living document, designed to be as responsive to the diverse community it serves as it is aligned with the best practices in modern mobility management.”

As part of the plan, a Vision Zero Task Force will be created to bring together City staff, local officials, members of the community, and representatives from outside agencies to provide ongoing input on Vision Zero strategies, policies, and projects.

“I want to commend City staff, including our experts in traffic engineering and mobility planning, who have worked diligently in the last year to create an equitable and actionable plan for Vision Zero,” said City Manager Joseph A. “Jay” Melder. “We are excited as the City organization to take on a lead role in this effort. This action plan will help our community be a safer place for all forms of transit.”

Pick Your Parking

Nothing ruins your ride faster than having your bike stolen! Here are some steps you can take to seriously reduce the likelihood of that happening.

  • Use a U-lock. Cable locks can be cut more easily than you might think. Cheaper and older U-locks can often be broken without any tools. Sourcing your U-lock from a local bike shop is a good way to make sure you’re buying a quality product.
  • Don’t make it easy to steal! Bike thieves love low hanging fruit, and nothing deters them like the presence of a quality lock. Many thefts are crimes of opportunity, so make your bike the hardest one on the rack to steal.
  • Lock the frame first. Try to secure the wheels and seat, too. Your bike frame happens to be the most expensive part; make sure you lock it to something secure. Use a secondary cable to lock the wheels and seat. In many cases a U-lock can be used to lock both the frame and rear wheel. Accessories (lights, pumps, etc) are commonly stolen items. Take them with you.
  • Your lock is only as good as what it is locked to. Make sure whatever you locked up to isn’t going anywhere. Be mindful that trees and wood can be cut or kicked through.
  • Your garage, shed, or storage room isn’t as safe as you think. Even if you have parked your bike in a “secure location” be sure to lock it to something. Bikes are commonly stolen from garages or shared basements.
  • Document it! Take pictures of your bike, record the serial number, and where possible list your bike on your insurance.
  • After you’ve done that, make sure to register your bike with Savannah Police Department and Bike Index. The Bike Index makes stolen bikes harder to sell and easier to recover by making sure important information about your bike is there when you need it the most. The process is simple, secure, and free.

Need to find available bike parking in Savannah? Check out our map below. If you find a rack that isn’t on our map, please submit it to info@bikewalksavannah.org.

Sharing the trail

Multi-use paths like the Truman Linear Park Trail and Police Memorial Trail are popular, but they can get congested and create issues with different modes of travel! It’s important to be courteous and for everyone to follow the same rules in order to have a safe and enjoyable time.

  • Be courteous & know the rules of the trail you are using.
  • Give a clear, audible signal when passing — bells or your voice are great!
  • Be cautious and yield to crossing traffic.
  • Stay to the right.
  • If you’re moving faster than the people in front of you, slow and wait for an opportunity to pass — don’t thread the needle.
  • Always be predictable — ride in a straight line, don’t weave across the trail.
  • Stay on the designated path.
  • Travel at a speed that allows you to watch for hazards as well as your surroundings.
  • Don’t blast your music. If you’re listening on headphones, make sure you can hear your surroundings or use one earbud.
  • Yield to more vulnerable path users. Bicyclists and skaters yield to pedestrians, pedestrians yield to those with young children or assistive devices.
  • If you’re riding in a group, move to a single file to allow oncoming traffic to pass.
  • If you are riding or walking while it is dark, be sure to use lights.
  • If you’re on the trail with your dog, make sure to keep it on a short leash. Retractable leashes are not recommended, as they can cause cuts and burns to both pets and people.
  • Keep it clean — whatever you bring in, bring out! If you notice a lot of trash or debris, call 311 or come out for a trail cleanup!

Our friends at The League of American Bicyclists have put together a great video overview below.

How to Fix a Flat Tire on a Bicycle

Knowing how to change a flat tire is a useful skill, especially if you’re going on longer rides or don’t have a local bike shop nearby. It can be daunting at first, but it’s easier than you think! All it takes is some practice.

Our friends at Park Tools have a great basic overview of how to repair a flat tire on a bike. Read on for step by step instructions!

What you need:

  • Tire levers
  • Air pump
  • Wrench (for non-quick-release type wheels)
  • Replacement tube and/or tire
  • A repair stand can be helpful, but not necessary

How to:

  1. Remove your wheel
    1. Rear Wheel: Shift derailleur to the outermost gear and innermost front chain ring to give you chain slack.
    2. Disengage any rim brakes.
    3. Disengage the wheel from your frame.
      1. Quick Release: pull outward on end of quick-release skewer lever. If necessary, loosen quick-release adjusting nut to clear any tabs at end of fork.
      2. Thru Axle: some function similarly to quick-release axle – pull lever outward to disengage and turn to loosen. Some thru axles are equipped with a special fitting that must be engaged to loosen the axle. Still others are simple levers that turn to loosen or tighten – no engagement or disengagement is necessary.
      3. Solid Axle: For wheels with axle nuts, loosen both nuts outside of dropouts.
    4. On a front wheel, guide the wheel down and out of the fork. For rear wheels, pull back on the rear derailleur to allow the cogs to clear the chain and lower the wheel.
  2. Deflate your tube completely
  3. Remove your tire
    1. Push one side of the tire inwards, close to the rim of your wheel, to help loosen the tire bead from the rim. Do this around the entire wheel.
    2. Push one tire lever under the bead of the tire, between the tire and the rim of the wheel. It can be helpful to do this near the valve stem.
    3. Insert the second tire lever under the bead of the tire a few inches away from the first one, between the tire and rim of the wheel.
    4. Pull both levers toward spokes to lift the bead off the rim. Move one lever a few inches along the rim and lift the next section, proceeding around the wheel.
    5. Starting opposite the valve, pull the tube from the tire. Lift the valve from the valve hole to full remove the tube.
    6. Remove the tire completely to fully inspect the tire for any cuts or holes.
      1. You may be able to use a tube or tire patch kit to fix any small holes or cuts, but replacing the tube is always the safest and most reliable option.
  4. Inspect the wheel rim for any sharp edges or protruding spokes. No point in replacing a tube if your wheel rim is damaged!
  5. Install your tube
    1. Inflate tube enough to hold its shape
    2. Install tube inside tire, with valve adjacent to air pressure recommendations written on the sidewall of the tire.
  6. Lower tire and valve into rim valve hole. Note any directional arrows on your tire and orient the tire appropriately.
    1. Make sure to keep your valve pointing straight towards the hub of your wheel!
  7. Install one side of the tire bead at a time. You can use your tire lever carefully and strategically to help work the tire in, but be careful and avoid pinching your tube.
  8. Once both sides of your tire are installed properly, inflate the tube to low pressure and inspect each side for any bulging, inner tube sticking out, or inconsistencies. You may need to deflate the tube and reinstall the tube and tire.
  9. Once everything looks ok, inflate your tube to full pressure.
  10. Reinstall your wheel
    1. Work backwards from how you removed your wheel!
    2. Make sure any quick-release levers are tightened and your wheel is secure.
    3. Re-engage brakes.
    4. Make sure your wheel is centered in the frame or fork.

And now you’ve changed your tube and tire!

Want some practice? Volunteer with our New Standard Cycles Crew on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Sundays from 2-4 p.m. and help fix up bikes while learning some new skills.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

All about helmets!

A bike helmet that fits you properly will feel better — and do its job in case of a crash. But how do you select the right size bike helmet?

To find your bike helmet size, measure the circumference of your head using a cloth tape measure or a piece of string and a ruler. Be sure to measure horizontally across your brow and over your ears. Most helmets come with a size guide (or you can find one online), so make sure to measure your head before you go to save some time!

You also want to look for a helmet that matches your style of riding. Road bike helmets are designed to be lightweight, well ventilated and aerodynamic. Mountain bike helmets often offer extended rear head coverage to account for collisions with objects on off-road trails. If you’re an everyday commuter or recreational rider, look for helmets that are well-ventilated with an adjustable tightening wheel and visor to help shield some sun.

Get the right fit

Put your helmet level on your head (not tilted back) with the front edge two fingers above your eyebrows. This helps protect your forehead.

If your helmet has one, tighten the rear adjustment dial until the helmet no longer wobbles or slips. It’s important to have your helmet properly positioned before tightening it.

Next buckle the chin strap. The straps should join right under your ear to form a “V”. Adjust the straps around both ears so they are not twisted and it’s comfortable. You can use your pointer and middle fingers to form a “V” around your ears to figure out the best position — snug but not too tight. Put those same two fingers together and put them between the strap and your chin. There should be enough room for two fingers. Any tighter and you may have trouble breathing, talking or drinking water while riding, any looser and your helmet can easily be knocked to the side.

A helmet that fits correctly should be comfortable and will not move forward (obscuring your vision) or backward (exposing your forehead.) A comfortable helmet is a helmet that you’ll actually wear!

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Get ready for a ride with your ABCs!

We’ve all had this happen — you get dressed, you put your helmet on, make sure your lights are charged, and as soon as you roll your bike out the door you notice the tires are flat. Or even worse, you get halfway to your destination and notice that you’re losing air — or your brakes are squeaking.

Familiarizing yourself with basic bike maintenance will help you whether you’re commuting to work every day or riding recreationally, and will help keep you safe. And the first part is as simple as knowing your ABCs! Performing the 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.

A is for Air

Make sure your tires are inflated to the pressure listed on the side of the tire

When your tires are correctly inflated, use your thumb to gently push on the outside edge and feel the pressure. This will help you quickly gauge if you need air in the future!

Check for damage on your tire and replace if it is too worn

B is for Brakes

Inspect your brake pads for wear, replace if there is less than 1/4″ of pad left

Check pad adjustment and make sure they don’t rub the tire

Look to see that you can fit your thumb between the brake lever and handlebar when the brakes are squeezed all the way — this means they’re properly adjusted

C is for Cranks and Chain

Pull on your cranks/pedals away from the bike — if they are loose, tighten the bolt.

Check that your chain is free of rust, gunk and any debris

Quick is for Quick Releases

Make sure all your quick release levers are closed (check your wheels and seat!)

They should all be pointing down and towards the back of your bike, so they don’t get caught on anything.

And then CHECK it all over!

Take a quick roll around to make sure everything is working properly, and if you’re carrying any cargo that you’re well balanced.

More of a visual learner? Check out this video from our friends at the League of American Bicyclists:

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Lime to Demo New Industry Leading Gen4 Shared Electric Bicycles in Savannah

Lime will host a series of three demonstrations of its latest model e-bike in Savannah on Thursday, September 22nd, and Friday, September 23rd. The City of Savannah has graciously given Lime permission to provide a preview of the shared electric bicycles it could provide residents and visitors if and when a pilot program does occur. The demos will be conducted in conjunction with Chatham Area Transit (CAT), and Georgia Southern and will take place in three locations throughout the City. Members of the media are invited to attend and test ride the vehicles themselves. 

Lime, the world’s largest provider of shared electric vehicles,  aims to familiarize residents with its vehicles and services, offering a glimpse at what a micromobility program could entail in Savannah. Lime will discuss and demonstrate proper parking etiquette, safe riding techniques, where to ride on the street, and how to be respectful of other road users. For first-time and inexperienced riders, Lime’s team will offer its signature First Ride Academy safety course. Lime is excited to demonstrate its vehicles and thrilled about the possibility of a successful micromobility program here in Savannah, especially given the City’s post-covid transportation needs. The demonstrations will be conducted in close proximity to public transit and historic Georgia Southern. 

The demonstrations will be held at the following times and locations: 

  • September 22, 9 AM – 12 PM: Ellis Square, Downtown Savannah
  • September 22, 1 PM – 4 PM: Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus in Savannah Bookstore
  • September 23, 9 AM – 12 PM: Chatham Area Transit, Joseph Murray Rivers Jr. Intermodal Transit Center located at the corner of Fahm Street and W. Oglethorpe Ave

“Chatham Area Transit is excited to partner with the City of Savannah and Georgia Southern University to bring a live-action electric bicycle  demonstration to parts of Chatham County.  We are sure these electric bicycles will be a big hit to those who try them out this week,” said A’riel Johnson, Public Information Officer and Communications Manager. 

Lime offers shared electric vehicles in more than 250 cities globally and its riders have completed more than 350 million trips, replacing more than an estimated 80 million car trips. Lime’s mission is to build a future where transportation is shared, affordable and carbon-free, and focuses on decarbonizing urban mobility and helping cities reduce reliance on cars. Lime e-bikes offer the potential to fill the need for affordable and sustainable transportation. Lime helps to provide easy, affordable options for commutes, local travel, and curbside pickups–helping to reconnect people and communities.

Driving Safely around People Biking

Savannah’s level topography, dense urban form, and warm weather make it a great place to get around by bike. However, Savannah also has a high rate of traffic crashes involving people on bikes.

Tips for Safe Driving Near Bicyclists

React to bicyclists as you would any other vehicle. You wouldn’t drive inches next to another car, so why would you drive so close to a person on a bike?

Don’t park in bike lanes or blocking access to multiuse paths. It may just be “for a minute”, but that minute could be the difference in someone biking safely to their destination and being put in unnecessary conflict with another driver.

If there is oncoming traffic, slow down and wait to pass until traffic clears.

  • Check for bicyclists in your blind spots
  • When driving a larger vehicle, allow extra room for mirrors, extended wheel wells, trailers, etc.
  • Large profile vehicles can create a windblast, which can knock a bicyclist off the road
  • Return to your lane when the bicyclist is in your rearview mirror
  • Do not attempt to “squeeze by”

Do not past a bicyclist before a red light or stop sign, hill, or immediately before you make a right turn.

Give at least 3 feet of space! According to the updated 3 ft to pass law, updated July 2021:

  • A driver passing a person on a bike should change lanes if road and traffic conditions allow
    • Includes allowance to pass on a double yellow when conditions are safe to do so
    • No passing into blind turns, blind hills, or oncoming traffic
  • When it is not safe to change lanes, a driver is required to slow down to 25 mph or 10 mph below the posted speed limit, whichever is greater, to execute a safe pass within the lane and shared space
  • Violations of the law carry a maximum fine of $250 as a misdemeanor offense
  • Under Georgia law, a video recording of an act is valid as a witness for enforcement of violations

Don’t drive distracted or under the influence. Again, it’s the law!

Consider driving conditions. Whether it’s raining or sunny, there’s something happening that can influence your driving. Make sure to slow down or give yourself extra room if you need it, and consider pulling over rather than powering through if conditions are dangerous.

Avoid illegal courtesies, like encouraging someone to ride through a stop sign in front of you. They may be able to see further down the street than you, or may take more time to get rolling, which can cause everyone to get frustrated.

Know where kids are biking. Children may not know the rules of the road so slow down and pay extra attention when driving in areas where children can be expected.

Interested in learning more about being a Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Driver? Sign up for an upcoming class or view our webinar here!

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

CORE MPO Solicits Feedback for 2050 MTP

The Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (CORE MPO) is in the process of developing the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for the Savannah metropolitan region. The 2050 MTP, called Moving Forward Together 2050, is a comprehensive “blueprint” for the Savannah region’s transportation improvements aimed at meeting mobility needs through the next 20+ years.

Public involvement is crucial in the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan update! You are the transportation system users and all the decisions made will affect your everyday life. The CORE MPO need your input on updating the 2050 MTP. Your input will provide recommendations that reflect real world solutions to improve the overall quality of life for you and other residents in the region.

Surveys are now open in English, Spanish and Chinese. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and responses will remain anonymous. The survey is split into multiple sections, covering roadways, bicycling, pedestrians, public transportation, equity, and resiliency.

Make sure to take the survey now, and share with your friends! The survey will remain open through Oct. 31.

A variety of public meetings will also take place to solicit feedback and give you the opportunity to speak directly with the CORE MPO transportation planners.

  •  September 12, 6 p.m. (In-person) First African Baptist Church, 23 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401
  •  September 13, 11 a.m. (Virtual) https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86713926236
  •  September 19, 6 p.m. (Virtual) https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84940194921
  •  September 20, 5 p.m. (In-person) Effingham County Ga Administrative Complex, 804 S. Laurel St, Springfield, GA 31329
  •  September 20, 5:30 p.m. (In-person) Richmond Hill City Hall, CC Chambers, 40 Richard Davis Dr, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
  •  More public meetings coming in October!

Click here to take the 2050 MTP Survey!