5 tips you should know before picking up a GIRA

Whether you're just starting out or have been riding GIRA for some time in Lisbon, this guide can help you feel more prepared and comfortable on the move.

This is sponsored content produced in partnership between LPP and the GIRA - Lisbon Bicyclesa brand of EMEL.

Cycling in Lisbon isn't difficult, but like everything, it has its challenges and particularities. The best way to learn and gain confidence in the city is through experience. If you're afraid, you can try out an easy cycle route at the weekend or talk to a friend to accompany you on your first few trips. When you feel more comfortable, start riding on your own, at your own pace.

Whether you're just starting out or have been riding a GIRA for some time in Lisbon, this guide can help you feel more prepared and comfortable on your travels. We share with you five tips you should know before taking a GIRA.

1 - riding with the seat at the right height

Before pedaling, place the seat at hip height. That way, you'll travel more comfortably and with less effort.

It may seem like a mere detail, but it's not. The height of the seat has an impact on the comfort of our bike ride. If the seat is too low, we'll be pedaling harder and we'll get more tired. We should have the seat at hip height, so that we can pedal with our legs stretched out but not all the way, and so that we can rest our feet on the ground when necessary. So, when we take a GIRA out of a dock, the first thing we have to do is adjust the height of the seat to our hips by opening the handle and unscrewing the sprocket. Once we have the right height, it's important to tighten everything again very well, first adjusting the wheel and then the handle, so that the seat doesn't move any more.

2 - one person, one GIRA

Don't ride with more than one person per bike, as the extra weight can damage the bike. With the free GIRA for Lisbon residents, there's no excuse for anyone not to use their own bike.

GIRA bikes are more robust than conventional bikes because they cover more kilometers and are always on the road, exposed to the weather and the city. Despite this robustness, we should cherish our bikes, using them as they should be used so that they don't have to be repaired all the time. One of the most common situations of misuse is two or more people using the same bike, which puts pressure on either the saddle or the handlebars and can damage not only the saddle, but also the wheels or electrical components.

With GIRA free for Lisbon residents, there's no excuse for anyone not to use their bike. In addition to everything we've already said, riding with two or more people on a bike makes driving more difficult and dangerous, which can lead to accidents on the road or on the bike path.

3 - do not wear headphones while driving

You can't ride with headphones in both ears. But you can use a headset. Hearing is crucial if you don't want to lose track of what's around you.

When you ride a bike, you have to concentrate on your senses. Sight is fundamental, but hearing is no less important. That's why the Highway Code is clear: regardless of the vehicle, you can't ride with two earphones in your ears, only one. Can we listen to music or a podcast while riding? Of course we can, as long as we continue to pay attention to the sounds of the city. This listening is crucial if you don't want to lose track of what's around you, whether it's an emergency siren, other bikes, other vehicles or people. So never, ever wear two earphones in your ears; if you want to hear something, just put on one earphone, or use the speaker on your cell phone.

4 - pay close attention to pedestrians

Pedestrians have priority in shared pedestrian zones and at crosswalks. Avoid speeding and stop to let them pass.

Walking is the most universal form of mobility - we are all pedestrians in the city at some point and so often feel unprotected. On a bicycle, we should avoid as much as possible driving aggressively towards people on foot, not only out of respect for them, but above all so that we don't put anyone at risk. After all, we are all pedestrians at some point. 

In this regard, we recommend paying attention to four points:

  • There are many areas shared by pedestrians and cyclists; in these spaces, we should move at a moderate speed whenever we pass a pedestrian. We should therefore avoid speeding at pedestrians at all costs, even if they are walking in the middle of a cycle path; 
  • We should pay attention to the markings on the ground and, whenever we see a pedestrian approaching a crosswalk, including crosswalks marked on the bike path, stop and let them pass. In some areas of the city, such as near the Campo Grande transport interface, there are very busy crosswalks, so we should be especially careful and patient because pedestrians have priority;
  • Crosswalks are not always marked with the usual crosswalks - this is the case on Avenida da República. If you notice, on this cycle path we have give way signs whenever the cycle path meets a pedestrian zone. This means that we should stop and give priority to people on foot. We should ride carefully in these areas, especially if there is a bus at a stop or a green pedestrian signal next to it;
  • It goes without saying that we shouldn't ride our bikes on sidewalks. But you can ride your bike on sidewalks, i.e. you can always dismount and carry your bike by hand if that's the most convenient or safest option on a given route. The same applies when we use a GIRA station that is in a pedestrian zone: we should unlock the bike and take it by the hand to the road or cycle path and, before setting off, always look to see if we have a clear route.

5 - signal changes of direction and maneuvers well

If you're going to turn left or right, or stop, signal that maneuver with your arm. Those behind you deserve to be warned of your intentions.

Communication between people and vehicles in public spaces is essential for mutual understanding of each other's intentions. When we are cycling on a busy cycle path or on a road with other vehicles, we should signal our maneuvers before we make them, particularly if we want to change direction or stop. 

Since bicycles don't have blinkers or other lights of this kind, the Highway Code defines ways of signaling maneuvers: to turn left or right, you have to extend your left or right arm horizontally; to stop or slow down, you have to signal with your left arm but with the palm of your hand facing backwards and, if you want, you can wave your hand up and down. It's simple. If you haven't had much practice taking your hand off the handlebars yet, at least try to communicate visually with other people, whether they're on a bike or in a car, before you make any maneuvers. And take advantage of the straights to practice your signaling skills - it's fundamental for increasing your own sense of security when it comes to hitting busy roads.

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