Bike Commuting in Bozeman - Okay or Crazy? (Plus Seven Top Tips)

This post focuses on biking to commute to work, social events, grocery shopping, errands, etc., not recreational biking.

I'm curious to hear your opinions, tips, and resources for bike commuters. Leave them in the comments section of this post (You can post anonymously without an account) or send me a message using the Get in Touch form on the upper left of my homepage.

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In Bozeman, it’s hard to reach a consensus on the state of things for bike commuting. Is it good, just okay, or an accident waiting to happen? While there are places where bike infrastructure has improved since I moved here in 2005, no one ever claims bike commuting in Bozeman is great.

Bozeman has been growing fast for decades, yet is still a very car-focused town. People are whooped up over lack of parking, reject placing parking meters downtown, and call for more parking garages, and bike infrastructure and public transportation seem to be secondary or lesser concerns. Given Bozeman's already dense urban landscape, it will be difficult and expensive to improve bike commuting conditions in town.

Despite these limitations, each day the roads are snow-free, I bike from my home on the west side of Bozeman to my job at Montana State University Library – about 3+ miles each way. Half of my ride is on West Babcock Street in a dedicated bike lane with no cars parked on the street and a stop sign at every intersection. There’s one slightly tricky merge into traffic followed by a left turn across West Main Street near Albertson’s (Fortunately, the light has a left turn arrow) but then it’s a quick right turn onto quiet residential roadways followed by a bike path to campus. 

Some, including enthusiastic recreational bikers, think my commute is dangerous. Yes, a separated bike lane with a barrier from traffic (Posts, planters, etc.) would be better but it is far from dangerous or “crazy.” I don’t think I’m out of my mind or naive (As some have suggested) by making this trip most days. 

My ride is part of my daily ritual, as enjoyable as a morning cup of coffee or writing in my journal and reading in the evening. It is rewarding to begin and end my work days with a bit of exercise, and getting around on two wheels is my way to lessen my impact on the planet. I won't let less than ideal conditions stop me, and over the years I have developed a few strategies for staying safe while pedaling 

Here are my tips. (I won’t get into what kind of bike to ride, helmets, lights, etc. The internet is full of articles on biking commuting. Just Google it.)

The A-List Guide to Bike Commuting in Bozeman

Top Seven Tips

1) Be patient. 

• Take your time. You’re likely going to work or the grocery store so you can spare a few minutes.

• Pick the most relaxing route, not the shortest.

• Never try to outrun a yellow light.

2) Keep your eye out for everything and anticipate obstacles. 

• Road Work Ahead signs in the bike lane (not uncommon in Bozeman during the summer), parked cars, pedestrians, potholes, colleges kids on scooters...obstacles are endless. 

• Be prepared to adapt and slow down if needed.

3) Act predictably by letting others know what you’re doing to do before you do it. 

• Communicate with drivers and pedestrians. (Smiles and waves are appreciated and can lighten the mood when things get tense.)

• Use hand signals.

• Use a bike bell and/or say “Bike behind you” if you want to pass a pedestrian. (I avoid “To your left/right” because it often creates confusion. Many times we see predestinations move to the left/right when we say that rather than letting us pass by on their left/right.)

4) Assume cars don’t see you and assume they will turn without signaling.

• Use caution when biking in front of a car at a stop sign. Do they see you? Slow down, look them in the eye, and don’t pass until they look in your direction. (Another opportunity to be friendly and acknowledge drivers.)

5) Avoid being “doored.”

• Look for heads in car windows and taillights – signs a car may open its door or pull out. 

• Ride away from parked cars if possible by leaving a door size space between you and the cars.

6) Get off your bike and walk across a busy intersection if you have to. 

• Cars often seem to give more room to pedestrians and being on foot can make you more nimble if you need to maneuverable quickly. 

• Bikes are considered vehicles and must follow all traffic rules. Cars do not have to stop for bikes as they do for pedestrians. If a car does stop for you (This often happens in Bozeman – people think they’re being nice), acknowledge them by waving, nodding, or smiling. This is not the place to get into an arm waiving “You go,” “No, you go” conversation. 

7) Don’t be a jerk.

• Yes, I know you’re fast and fit and you “bike everywhere.” That doesn’t make you superior and that doesn’t mean everyone in a car “hates bikers” and is out to ruin your day. Enjoy the journey. We're all in this together.

• Don’t expect to be able to flick your head over your shoulder and zoom across traffic without signaling or slowing down. If a car gets close to you in these situations, it’s not because biking in Bozeman is “crazy." Please think about your role in this circumstance.

• Don’t argue with drivers while on your bike. It is impossible to educate a driver from the seat of your bike, it makes bikers look angry, and it does nothing to endear the public to the idea of bike commuting.

• Don’t be the one who dies saying “But I had the right of way.”

Bike Resources

I  encourage everyone to commute by bike when practical. The more people who get around on two wheels, the more people who are out there to get involved and help make a case for improved commuting infrastructure. Here are some ways for you to make a difference.

• Join the Go Gallatin Commuter Challenge.

• Check out the Bozeman Transportation Advisory Board, a citizen group committed to improving biking and walking conditions throughout town.  Consider becoming a board member https://www.bozeman.net/departments/city-commission/advisory-boards)

• The Gallatin Valley Bike Club has an advocacy page. They are a resource for biking but I'm not sure if it is kept up with their advocacy work.

• The group People for Bikes is doing great work on a national level. Check them out.

• The Triangle Plan is Bozeman's guide for developing pedestrian and bike infrastructure. There is a detailed report, but I couldn't find any information on what the next steps are or if any progress has been made so I emailed Gallatin Valley Land Trust to find out more.
  
  They told me of a possible extension of the bike path along Huffine Lane, which will be a step forward in implementing the plan. They also mentioned that "much of that plan is focused on ensuring developers build connections as they subdivide and build. In that vein, GVLT is reviewing subdivision applications in the Triangle area to ensure compliance and submits comments to the Planning Department, which becomes part of the staff report to the Commission."
  
  Public input was sought and thousands of dollars were spent to create this plan. I question the logic of leaving the implementation to developers. I think we can do better as a community but the question is how and with what resources. What are your thoughts?

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More on bike commuting

• http://annvinciguerra.blogspot.com/2022/01/snow-biking.html
• http://annvinciguerra.blogspot.com/2020/01/bike-commuting-in-snow.html

And one piece about fun times on a bike:

http://annvinciguerra.blogspot.com/2013/07/fat-tire-exploration-in-gem-city.html