Planning for contingencies
Updated Nov 2017
Practicing using the bike and bus racks on the May 2015 Year of Yay ride.
A common refrain among those who exclusively drive to work is that they need access to their vehicle in case of emergency. But several local services—and a touch of gumption—can help you handle the unexpected when your car isn't available. Employ several of the following strategies to put your mind at ease and fully embrace a bicycle commute!
LOCAL SUPPORT SERVICES
AAA Ohio
AAA now offers a Bicycle Breakdown Service as part of their regular membership program! AAA Members can receive a free tow when breakdowns disrupt their ride.
Emergency Ride Home / Taxis
MORPC's Emergency Ride Home program allows anyone who carpools or vanpools, walks, bikes or rides the bus to work a 100% taxi fair (including tip) in the event of unexpected overtime, personal illness or family emergency. Register for free in advance using the link above and use the service up to 4x per year!
Otherwise, there's always Uber and Lyft, of course.
Bike & Bus
What it lacks in speed, COTA's Bike & Bus service makes up for in safety and reliability. Buses are there for you in terrible weather and when you need to extend an almost-but-not-quite bikeable journey.
LOVED ONES
People who like you and know what you're up to in life are usually thrilled for an occasion to help when you hit a snag. (No really, they are!) So, to help them help you: think through the circumstances that would require you to get somewhere quickly—it's probably a shorter list than you were expecting—and, before anything goes awry, draft "Team You". Present each team member with what could be asked of them, in what circumstances, and have them commit (or not) to doing That Thing You Might But Probably Won't Need. Create redundancy on your team by having 2 or even 3 people willing/able to give you a ride, pick up your kids, stay late or leave early, etc. After a commitment has been made, check in periodically to find out if anyone's circumstances have changed, and to notify them if yours have.
COLLEAGUED ONES
If your place of employment has a Wellness Committee, propose that they coordinate an informal network of colleagues willing to support others' active commutes by being emergency contacts. This could be a simple project that launches a wider conversation in your workplace about how to be bike friendly!
FRIENDED ONES
It may not be a "plan" to rely on the generosity of your acquaintances, per se, but in a pinch it's possible that a desperate plea will yield fast results from someone you half forgot existed. It's worth keeping social media in your bag of tricks for dealing with unfortunate surprises.
YAY BIKES!
Join us to become part of a community of cyclists doing our best to manage our crazy bike lives, and sharing what we learn with others.