I was intending to write about "All Weather Cycling" this post around, but particularly in light of recent tragedies, I've decided safety must come first.  Let's talk about what each of us can do to get there and allow others the same pleasure, too.  The fog, darkness, rain, and lethargy that winter in the Pacific Northwest inspires are villains which every commuter must vanquish.  And vanquish we shall, be we riders or be we drivers!  When we are on the road together, we're in it together.

Proactivity Pays
Get legal in good company!  The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) hosts monthly legal clinics given by one of Portland's own charismatic legal bike advocates, Ray Thomas, author of the indispensable curbside classic, Pedal Power: A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists.
By the way, thanks to Ray Thomas and Margaret Weddell for pointing out the dastardly vehicular habits I'd picked up while living abroad and for helping me discard them.

Road Hazards
For Halloween this year, my friend, Tall Steve, dressed up as a "bike lane covered in wet, damp leaves"; it was a big hit with fellow riders and passersby.  Wet leaves on pavement?  Man, now THAT'S scary!  Leaves in early fall, gravel after a snow and shapely objects (ie glass, twigs, blown tires, shoes, busted wooden pallets) are a wet blanket on any commuting parade, but toss in a bike spill with some hopped up freight action to your right on Interstate Ave., and you can pretty well kiss your weekend plans picnicking at the Gorge goodbye.
If you happen to come across dangerous gravel, leaves, glass or other debris, you can ask Portland's City maintenance crew to remove it by calling 503.823.1700.

Other road hazards to watch out for and a quick fix, sort of:
* Potholes - avoid if possible (but look behind you, pretty please) and jump it if you can.  Then tell the City where it is and why it's a decided downer at 503.823.BUMP.
* Railroad Tracks - the word to cherish in this context is "perpendicular".  the farther you get from 90 degrees, the greater your chances of an endo.  Especially beware the streetcar tracks, which corner.
* Drainage Grates - if it's significantly below street-level or the slats look like they could eat your tire, steer clear and tell the city so they can fix it (seriously, they have a number for everything!): 503.823.SAFE.
* Metal-covered [fill-in-the-blank] - rising up in the saddle seems to help, as does following a straight line over it. 
* Painted lines, lanes, you name it - that white line that feels like a speed bump is made with a stuff called "thermoplast".  Take it easy and brace your bars, 'cause it's going to be a bit bumpy.  Also, the blue lane painting is great for communication but less so for traction.

Lights
Use them!  Use a lot of them!  Strap them to your body and wear them like beloved, life-preserving warts.  Not sure how to go about finding the right one for you?  It just so happens that this Thursday there is going to be a whimsical exhibition in the form of the See & Be Seen Parade, starting at 6:00pm Thursday, 15 November at SW Park & Burnside with a lovely brown bag chaser at noon in the Portland Building downtown.  Join the fun and see which illumination styles are "in" this season.  You can check out last year's coverage by BikePortland.org here.

Bells
A bike without a bell is like a bird without a song.  Just make sure it is a sound that signals your intent.  I ride on multi-use paths (a high-falootin' term for the waterfront, the esplanade, the springwater corridor trail, etc) and didn't know joy until I got my "I Heart My Bike" bell.  It sounds so jaunty and spry that I ring it for the hell of it.  I can make it a short "just wanted to let you know I'm here" or a protracted "please look out for that falling anvil" ring.  Want to peruse a selection?  How about this assortment from locally-owned Universal Cycles

That Evil Right Hook
Here's a great animation of Oregon and California right-of-way law for bikes and cars (click here).  Tracey and Brett were both recently killed while in a bicycle lane by vehicles making a right turn - mistakes that killed two beloved, luminous people.  For every accident between a pair of vehicles, there are two families in pain.  I'd like to thank the driver that waited to turn in front of me this morning and put out the fervent wish that we all proceed with caution while dancing in that constant ballet of the right lanes. 

Some other things to consider:
* For Drivers: How important is that phone call?  I mean, really.  Also, remember that it takes two to have a conversation.  If your friend is trying to drive and talk to you at the same time, allow me to humbly suggest that you HANG UP!  Someone will thank you for it.  In fact, I'll do it right now.  Thank you.  Research shows that operating a phone while driving/biking is as impairing as drunkenness.
* For Everyone: The law is meant to preserve order, not to serve as a failsafe chrysalis of bubble wrap that keeps us safe as long as we follow its tenets.  There is no replacement for a keen eye and judgment.  Regardless of how safely we use the road, there will always be someone who doesn't see us or doesn't anticipate our next movements, legal and logical as they may be.  Let's try to keep each other safe by minimizing risks and acting with greater hospitality than hostility.
* If we all think of driving and riding less as a right and more of guiding a hurled projectile, I think we'll all get along just fine.

See you (brightly lit) in the bike lane!