Little green buds have opened into leaves, daffodils. Dandelions are boasting their yellows. The fountain in front of the city union is gushing and bubbling again.
Spring has finally arrived and students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are looking for any excuse to ditch the studying and stress of the indoors and enjoy the weather outside. One way for them to do so is to dust off their bicycles and hit the trails.
The Lincoln Parks & Recreation Department maintains more than 82 miles of bike trails, several of which connect to other trails and extend well beyond the city limits.
"Probably the longest trail we have within Lincoln is the Billy Wolff," said Terry Genrich, natural resources and greenways manager for the Lincoln Parks & Recreation Department.
"(It's) a little over eight miles long, starts down at the university, follows along Capitol Parkway to Holmes Lake and then follows Antelope Creek up to Highway 92."
Genrich explained that the paved Mo-Pac Trail, which starts near the university at 19th and Vine streets and heads east, connects with a limestone trail that continues beyond Lincoln for 25 miles to Wabash. One of the newest trails is the Jamaica North Trail, which leads from Calvert Street to Wilderness Park and then connects with Homestead Trail and runs another 15 miles south to Cortland.
Damon Hershey, an employee of Cycle Works' Bike Shop, 27th and Vine streets, said the Jamaica Trail is currently his favorite trail in Lincoln.
"There's very little build-up around the (Jamaica) trail, so you really feel like you're out in the country," Hershey said.
His advice for riders who are beginners, are new to Lincoln or are just starting to explore the trail systems is to "just get out and do it; just start riding (the trails)."
But before pedaling off into the sunset, riders should make sure they know their bikes are in proper condition. Hershey said the two best things riders can do on their own is to make sure their tires are at the proper inflation level and their chains are clean.
Under-inflated tires create a lot more drag, and riders run the risk of encountering a pinch flat, while over-inflated tires risk damaging the rim itself. If the chain is not clean, a build-up of dirt and grime can prematurely wear out the chain and damage the whole drivetrain.
"It just makes the riding experience that much more enjoyable with a well-lubed, clean chain because you get less sound, less drag," Hershey said.
Once riders have prepped their bicycles, they can hit the trails and start enjoying the spring weather. While doing so, riders should remember to follow proper trail etiquette. There are some guidelines riders and trail users are encouraged to use.
Genrich said most of these guidelines are fairly common sense such as keeping to the right-hand side of the trail and using the proper safety gear, but he added that when riders are approaching someone from behind on the trail, they should make their presence known by ringing a bell or saying "Bike on your left." He said riders should also ride in single file and avoid riding side-by-side while riding in groups.
While not using Lincoln's trails, riders should be aware of where they can and cannot ride. Downtown Lincoln, from K to R streets between 9th and 16th streets, does not allow bicycles to be ridden on the sidewalks. The two existing bike lanes downtown are located on 11th and 14th streets, otherwise bikes must be ridden in the streets.
"(While riding in the streets) you have to obey all traffic ordinances just like a regular vehicle," said Capt. Bob Kawamoto of the Lincoln Police Department.
Kawamoto said, just like cars, bikes must have a headlight and rear light on at least half hour after sunrise and half hour before sunset.
Other vehicles aren't always looking out for bicyclists, Kawamoto said. He recommended riders should learn to ride defensively and should wear protective gear, including helmets.
"A lot of people don't like to wear them, but they're still a good idea," Kawamoto said.
This time of the year, the Parks & Recreation Department likes to get the word out about the trails and the guidelines for using them.
"I hope that people take advantage of them and enjoy them, whether they're using them for commuting to go school or to work or on the weekends for recreation," Genrich said.
johnnahjersman@dailynebraskan.com
is a member of the 
