[bikeqld] Teaching new riders about gears?

[Michael Yeates]

Hi Anthony ...

I can't help much with teaching how to use the gears except that it 
is best to start off using ONLY the three (or two) on the chain wheel 
after setting the rear location to suit the topography ie roughly mid-range.

The "fine tuning" can come later ...!

You can choose WHERE to cycle so using the gears can be practiced eg 
slowing down then speeding up at road crossings so the gears are less 
of a problem.

Related directly to the question of learning to cycle, and given it 
seems the emphasis of BCC cycling policy and funding is on new and 
inexperienced cyclists, it is essential that bike routes and bike 
paths provide a "useful" connected network so new and inexperienced 
cyclists can increase their competency while undertaking "utility" cycling.

You asked some time ago (so long ago it should be embarrassing for 
the City Council and/or the ATU) about cycling route info for cycling 
to New Farm from the north and northwest suburbs ... I passed on your 
request to BCC.

The reply (link below) arrived a couple of days ago ... and it 
doesn't seem very helpful ... especially as "temporary" seems to be a 
very long time to cycle without any quality alternatives given 
impacts and cycling provisions of the Airport Link and Clem7 projects ... !

http://www.bikeqld.org.au/attachments/20090916/16487483.jpg

The paucity of quality alternative bike routes is evidence of just 
how few bike routes there actually are and thus how poorly Brisbane 
is and continues to be for cycling despite all the BCC "spin" ... 
especially when an area like New Farm is being developed quite 
densely for offices and other work places as well as for residential 
uses ... without access by bicycle ...!

MY.....................................................................