Welcome to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Law Enforcement Agency Resources Page. The content provided here is intended to assist law enforcement professionals doing education or enforcement work involving bicycle riders or people walking. If you have ideas for resources that would be helpful to include on this page, please email jim@bikemaine.org.
Basic Bicycle Maintenance boils down to cleaning, lubing, and inspecting. Keeping your bike clean and lubed makes all the systems work better, plus it looks nicer! For more advanced topics, like cable replacement, brake work, wheel truing etc, contact your local bike shop.
Whether on-road or off, bikes inevitably get dirty! Just a wipe down with a dry or damp cloth after a ride can do a lot to keep your bike clean, but on occasion, a more thorough job is needed. To wash your bike, you'll need: a bucket, some rags, a cleaner (dilute dish soap is fine, or use a dedicated bike wash product), clean water and a degreaser or solvent (for the really gummy parts) and a soft bristled brush. If you use a hose, use a spray rather than a jet, and don't spray too much around bearing packs, including the bottom bracket (where the cranks go through the frame), hubs, or headset (where the fork attaches to the frame). If you have a suspended bike, try not to spray water at the seals where the shock pistons move.
Clean your Drivetrain. Spray your chain with a cleaner/degreaser, and work on it with a rag. There are various chain cleaning gadgets that enable you to wash a chain without removing it from the bike, but a good wipe down with a rag and some solvent does a pretty good job, too. Wipe down the derailleur, and remove any gummy deposits from the pulleys on the derailleur cage.
Wet your Bike. Give your bike an initial rinse; either with rags or a hose, to loosen caked on dirt.
Wash your Bike Frame and Wheels. Go from top to bottom, front to back, using a diluted soap or a dedicated product and the soft bristled brush. Use the brush to scrub the braking surfaces of your rims.
Rinse your Bike, being careful not to shoot high pressure water at bearing packs or shock seals.
Dry the Bike. Bounce the bike on the ground a couple of times, and then hand wipe the bike dry, starting with removing any excess water near shock seals. Apply a bike polish occasionally if you like.
Lubricate. Lubricate your chain and other components as needed.
After you've cleaned it, and occasionally in any case, you should lubricate your bike. We strongly recommend that you use bicycle specific lubricants.
Lube the Chain. Wipe your chain with a rag, then apply a thin bead of lube to it while turning the crank. DO NOT OVERDO IT! Too much lube will actually cause dirt to stick to the chain, making it gummy and grim. Spin the cranks a few times to work the lube in, and then wipe off excess lube. Frequency—after washing, or every third ride or so.
Lube the Derailleur. The moving parts of the derailleur, including the main body pivots and the pulleys should be occasionally lubricated. Frequency– after washing, or every other month.
Lube the Cables. If moisture gets inside your cable housings, it can cause rust that can interfere with shifting. Dripping a small amount of light weight lube into the housings prevents this problem. Frequency– after washing, or twice a year.
Lube the Brake Pivots. A drop of lube at the points where your brakes pivot can help performance. Frequency–after washing, or twice a year.
Lube the Shifters. A drop of lube into the shifter mechanism can help performance. ONLY USE A BIKE SPECIFIC LUBE FOR SHIFTERS—there can be some delicate parts in the shifters that some automotive lubes can compromise. Frequency– after washing, or twice a year.
Always make sure you wipe off excess lube or lube that found its way onto surfaces that shouldn't be lubed—like braking surfaces.
The process of cleaning and lubricating your bicycle is also the opportunity to inspect your bike for problems that may require more attention.
Inspect the Controls. Handlebars straight? Shifters and brakes not rotating on bars? No broken or bent parts? Bar tape and grip condition?
Inspect the Frame. Any small cracks or evidence of paint flaking off at frame joints or welds are indications of possible problems. Dents? Any dent that is more than a millimeter or two deep should be inspected by a pro. Any visible cracks in a frame mean the bicycle should not be ridden.
Inspect the Wheels. Spin the wheels—do they rotate straight and true, or are there warps? Is the wheel round, or does it have a "flat spot" or other deformation in the rim? If your wheels are not round or have warps, see a bike shop.
Headset: (the bearings between the handlebars and the fork) holding the front brake, gently push your bike forward and backwards. If you feel any clunking or looseness in the assembly, see a shop.
Wheel Hub Bearings: grasp the wheel and move it from side to side (not rotating it). If you feel any clunking or looseness in the assembly, see a shop.
Bottom Bracket: grasp the cranks and move them from side to side (not rotating them). If you feel any clunking or looseness in the assembly, see a shop.
Inspect Your Brakes. If you have rim brakes, make sure that the brake pads are centered on the braking surface of the rim, and not touching the tire. Brake pads should be flat and evenly worn. If your brake pads are getting worn out (indicated by there being less than 4mm of surface between the contact point and the mount of the brake pad, or by the inability to see the slots in the pads). Squealing brakes are usually the result of unclean braking surfaces or the pads not being "toed in" (ie. the rear of the pad makes contact before the front of the pad). If your brake levers can reach your handlebars, they are too loose—and this is often a sign of worn pads or a slipped cable.
For more help with maintenance, take a trip to one of our member bike shops.
Basic Bike Equipment: Once you have your bike, there are a few other items you might consider buying as they will ensure your safety and comfort, no matter how long your ride. Below we have listed our suggestions and have marked the essentials with an asterisk (*).
Bicycle Shoes—more efficient and comfortable than riding in running shoes!
Maine is home to more than 50 independently owned bike shops that can help equip you for an type of riding. Click here for a list of shops.
Kids love bikes! Bikes are a child's first freedom machine, and teach independence to kids while they provide fun physical activity. Riding a bike is one of the most grown up things kids can do, as they are really operating on their own. Here are some tips to keep your youngster safe when he or she is riding a bike. These tips are intended for kids under the age of 13.
For children who can't ride solo, there are a variety of transport systems you can use to bring children along with you, including bike seats (for kids under 40 lbs), trailers, and "Trail-a-Bike" systems (basically a rear wheel and seat that attaches to the seat post of an adult's bike—great for kids 6 and up).
Whether your kid is riding in a seat, trailer, or on their own bike, a helmet is a critical piece of safety equipment, and required by law for kids under 16. And set a good example—you should wear your helmet, too, when riding with your children.
How Old to Begin Riding?
This varies from child to child. Some kids are able to balance and ride a bike as young as 5, while others may take until 10. Tricycles can be used to get your small child used to pedaling movements, and push bikes (bikes have just two wheels and no pedals or chain that a child can push around using his feet, like Fred Flintstone) can help develop balance.
What Kind of Bike Should a Kid Ride? When kids start riding solo, a good choice is a simple bicycle with a coaster brake from your local bike shop. DON'T BUY A BIKE THAT IS TOO BIG SO THE KID CAN "GROW INTO IT"! They won't enjoy riding it, and they won't be safe. Get a bike that the child can stand over without the frame touching their body. Safety begins with a properly fitted bicycle! Some kids' bikes have both coaster brakes and handbrakes, which help the child get used to operating a handbrake, but also provide the coaster brake as an extra guarantee of stopping ability. Don't bother with gears until the child is demonstrating skill with a simple single speed bike. Remember to check the air pressure, brake operation, and chain condition every time your child rides.
A Few Words on Training Wheels. They work! Training wheels should be mounted initially so that they are flush with the rear wheel on the ground with the rear wheel, and the bike stands up with a minimum of wobble. As the child practices, the wheels can be gradually raised above the ground to encourage balancing, but to provide support should the child loose balance. When the child is balancing the bike without relying on the training wheels for support, they can be removed. WARNING—as mounting training wheels requires loosening the nut that holds the rear wheel in place, you may want to consider speaking with a shop bike tech before you attempt putting a set on your kid's bike.
First Two Wheeler When your child is able to balance the bike and the training wheels come off, spend some time in a parking lot, quiet street or multi-use trail to review road rules and practice skills. Download our Be a Safe Bike Driver resource to help coach your child in the basics of responsible riding and bike safety.
Where Should My Child Ride?
Young Kids Kids under 10 are safest in somewhat controlled,traffic free environments—driveways, parking lots, multi-use paths. If you let your child ride in your driveway, emphasize the need to stop at the end of it, and not to just ride into the street—young kids are often hit at the end of their driveways, because they fail to stop. Stick to low or no traffic environments until you know your child has the skills to control the bike in on-road situations.
Older Kids Older kids with decent control skills can beexpected to operate safely on streets in quiet neighborhoods and on multi-use paths. It might help to ride some with your kids to identify roads that you're ok with your kids riding on. In general, kids under twelve should stick to quieter roads with posted speed limits 30 mph and under. Teens should be coached on the tips for safe cycling presented on our "Basics of Bicycle Safety" page.
ALWAYS alert pedestrians that you are near by saying, "Excuse me," or, "Passing on your left," or use a bell or horn. ALWAYS yield to walkers.
Enter a street at a corner and not between parked cars.
Complete list of traffic free multi-use paths around the state.
Mountain Biking is a fun way to travel off-road and see the countryside, and whether it's a wild downhill ride at Sunday River or a scenic cross country ride in Presque Isle, Maine has got some great trail riding! If you ride a mountain bike in Maine, you should wear a helmet, dress appropriately, check your equipment and follow the rules of the road and trail (see our "Basics of Bicycle Safety").
Mountain bikes come in a variety of types, from burly downhill bikes that weigh over 40 pounds to lightweight cross-country trail bikes that come in under 25 pounds. Trail bikes also come in a huge variety of prices, from about $250 for a bike that can handle occasional light trail duty up to more than $7000 for rigs that you could ride on Mars.
What Else Do I Need to Mountain Bike?
Besides the bike, a helmet is absolutely necessary! Gloves are recommended, too.
In addition, you will want to have some method for carrying water, whether it's on your bike or on your back using a pack and tube hydration system (eg. Camelbak). Hydration systems offer the added benefit of providing a pack to carry spare clothes, food, etc. A map of where you're riding and a cell phone is good to have at all times, too.
A spare tube, pump and the knowledge to repair a flat are basic self-rescue tools for mountain biking.
You'll inevitably learn more about the many other gadgets, doohickeys and techno-marvels in the mountain bike world as you get more into the sport!
Yield Appropriately: Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you're coming — a friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists should yield to other non-motorized trail users, unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. In general, strive to make each pass a safe and courteous one. Keep in mind that conventions for yielding and passing may vary in different locations, or with traffic conditions.
Did you know that 3 out of 4 people own a bicycle and that bicycles tourists spend 20 percent more on average than other tourists?
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Bicycles WelcoME training and certification program is dedicated to making businesses more inviting to visitors and customers on bicycles, whether they are locals on a lunch ride or visitors on a vacation tour.
Each business may offer a different set of bicycle-friendly services, but all are united by a common appreciation of the value of bicycle riding customers. The program does not try to turn every business into a bike shop, but rather to find ways that each business can provide service at a level that makes sense for them and the kind of business they are in. Simply by offering snacks, water, bathrooms and area information, a tourist related business can become a valued and loyal friend to bicyclists.
For questions about the upcoming Bicycles WelcoME training, please email Kim at Kim@bikemaine.org.
Bicycles WelcoME offers insight into what sets bicycle riders apart from other market segments, and how you can tap into their enthusiasm for the sport to attract and hold their business.
The training is intended for tourism related businesses that offer services to visitors. To be eligible for Bicycles WelcoME certification, a business must have a physical location in Maine, be open to the public, and have hours of operation clearly posted at the location and/or on line. A business must also offer at least 4 services or amenties from an approved list. A lodging business must provide secure and dry bike parking for overnight guests.
Bicycles WelcoME certification is about recognizing and serving the needs of bicycle riders at a level that makes sense for your business, in order to help your business attract and keep this valuable market.
Access to reduced-cost Bicycles WelcoME toolkit, which include a tire pump, basic tools, and a few common-sized bicycle tubes.
The following businesses have taken part in a Coalition training and are Bicycles WelcoME certified.
Sunrise County Arts Institute, Inc.