Safe Cycling Lingo

Getting into any new hobby can be a bit intimidating. There’s always some new language to learn, and you may not quickly grasp the subtleties of all these new words. Cyclists are no exception, throwing around unfamiliar words like “salmoning,” “door zone” and “shoaling.”

Luckily, we’re here to help you out. These words aren’t just nice to know—many of them are all about keeping you safe while you’re out for a ride. And that starts with finding great bicycle service in Naples, FL. An excellent technician will ensure that your bicycle is road ready. Here’s how to navigate the world of cycling lingo:

• Salmoning: You probably know that cyclists are supposed to follow the rules of the road. You wouldn’t drive the wrong way down a one-way street, right? Same goes for cycling. Going the wrong way up a one-way street is referred to as salmoning.
• Door zone: This is the invisible bubble surrounding a parked car. The last thing you want is to be hit by a car door when someone’s getting out of their car. Therefore, it’s a smart idea to avoid the door zone, or the area within three feet of a parked car.
• Ninja: Going out riding at night? Then you don’t want to be a ninja. This means that you’re wearing dark clothing at night, making it difficult to be seen by other cyclists and motorists. You want to be visible, so wear light-colored clothing and add some reflective surfaces.
• Shoaling: Two bicyclists stop at a light. One cyclist determines they’re faster than the other one and attempts to pass them immediately. This unsafe practice is referred to as shoaling. Allow the other cyclist to move forward, just as you would when you’re driving a car.
• Idaho stop: Here’s a fun fact—Idaho has long had a law allowing motorists to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs. Confusing, right? Fortunately, it’s only the law in Idaho. Everywhere else, motorists—and bicyclists—should obey traffic signals and stop signs.

No matter if you’re a cycling newbie or a seasoned pro, Big Momma’s Bicycles offers the best in bicycle service in Naples, FL. We’re an independent local bike shop welcoming cyclists of all ability levels and ages. We’ve operated from the same location since 2005, supporting thousands of people getting on bikes and riding for fun and exercise. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a short commute, just want to go for a relaxing ride or you’re training for an event—our friendly and professional team will impress you every time.

We also offer a wide range of services including maintenance, repairs, rentals and resales. Whether you need a seasonal tune-up before a big ride or you’re having trouble with a derailleur, know that we can help. For your convenience, we’ll even go to your location within a 10-mile radius of our shop. Call us today or stop by our shop to find out how we’re different than the competition.

Categorised in: Bike Service