Biking is an excellent alternative to driving when it comes to your daily commute--it's a great way to get the exercise you need and it's environmentally friendly. You're not only keeping yourself healthy by biking, you're
going green and keeping the planet healthy as well.
Before you go dusting off that bicycle, there are a few things you should know about overhauling your daily commute routine. Read on for some tips on how to
commute to work on a bicycle and make sure you have everything you need.
Find the right bike for you
If you're going to make your daily commute via biking, make sure you have a safe and fully functioning bicycle. But how do you know what kind of bike you'll need? Here are some tips for finding your perfect bike:
- Do you already have a bike? Great! You can use the bike you already have, whether you take it out occasionally on warm summer evenings for a ride through the park, or if it's sitting in the corner of your garage collecting dust.
- You can use any bike you want. The great thing about commuting via bicycle is that you can really use any type of bike: mountain bike, street bike, or racing bike. Of course, there are some exceptions. The bright pink Huffy with handlebar tassels your sister refuses to throw out 15 years later may not be suitable for commuting to work.
- The only requirement: make sure it works before you use it. Test the brakes, the tire pressure and the steering column before you take it out for that first morning commute. It will be a deflating beginning to your biking experience if you realize halfway to work that your back tire is flat or your lack of hand brakes sends you careening into the next intersection.
Map your route and make a test run
Biking to work is going to present a few unique challenges that you won't normally experience driving. For example, you'll be on two wheels instead of four, you won't be able to go nearly as fast and people will probably honk their horns at you if you stray from your designated bicycle lane. But among those obvious differences, the one that you might not anticipate is taking an entirely new route to the office.
Since bikes can go places cars can't (like through parks and trails and down narrow side streets), you might find that biking to work is actually easier than driving. Before you begin commuting, map out your planned route and take a few test runs. This will help you make sure you know the route well and see how long it will take so you can time your morning routine accordingly.
What you need
When you choose to bike to work, you'll need to carry (or wear) the proper equipment to ensure your safety and the safety of others that share the road with you. Here are some of the essential items you'll need when biking:
- Helmet: Safety is the most important thing when commuting by bicycle and the helmet is the most important accessory - never leave home without one.
- Bright or reflective clothing: Another common safety measure to take when riding a bike, especially if you're going to be riding during dusk or nighttime hours, is to wear bright or reflective clothing to stand out to drivers. You can also place reflective stickers or flashing lights on your bike.
- Tire pump: Just like when you're in a car, a flat tire on a bike can ruin your whole day if you're unprepared. It's a good idea to always carry a small tire pump with you in case you need some more air.
- Change of clothes: Bike riding is a strenuous activity and if you work in an office setting you won't want to show up in your business attire looking like you just ran a half-marathon. Bring clothes with you that you can change into when you arrive at the office. Also, a suit and tie is not the best outfit to ride a bike in anyway.
- Wheel lock or bicycle chain: Depending on where you keep your bicycle while you're at work, you're going to need to lock it up securely so that you don't come back to find only the handlebars and back tire remaining.
- Backpack or messenger bag: And how do you expect to carry all of this stuff while you ride? Use a backpack or messenger bag to hold all of your essentials.
Benefits of commuting by bicycle
There are plenty of benefits to commuting via bicycle, some of which are more readily apparent than others. Here are a few examples:
- Better for the environment: Any time you choose to bike instead of drive, you're sparing the planet from at least a small amount of the pollution currently contributing to global warming and unhealthy levels of pollution in the air.
- Great source of exercise: If you bike to work daily, you can throw away that expensive monthly gym membership because you won't need it. It's a good way to save money and still get your daily exercise in.
- Save money on gas and other car-related expenses: You won't only be saving money on that gym membership, you'll also be saving yourself a lot of money on gas to fill up your tank and other various car-related expenses like insurance, repairs and routine maintenance.
Photo by: Mapichai (Freedigitalphotos.net)