Cycling To Work Tips

Commuting by Bike

With the price of fuel constantly rising, and the economy tanking pretty much everywhere, more and more people are considering cycling to work as an option to save money, save the planet or maybe just to feel good.

So here are my cycling to work tips.

Firstly if you work in close proximity to other people you really need to have a shower available at work, for obvious reasons, unless you live in a very flat area.

It only takes one hill to get your temperature up to the point of sweating.

Give yourself plenty of time to make your journey, and some time to cool down when you arrive.

Assuming you’ll be wearing cycle clothing on the bike, you need to decide how to arrange your weeks work clothes. Some people drive in on Monday and take clothing for the whole week. Others take it each day in a bag or backpack. But it’s a good idea to store hygiene items at work permanently to save carrying them everyday day. This could also apply to bulkier items like shoes and towels, it really comes down to your personal circumstances and work dress code requirements.

If you’re only going to use the bike to ride to work, then get a commute specific bike.

These tend to have a more comfortable ride position then say a racing bike, and have thicker and wider tires, less prone to puncture. They also have the ability to be fitted with a rack with which you can attached a bag or panniers, to carry your stuff.

Learn how to change a flat tire, and carry the necessary spares and tools.

Get your bike serviced regularly to avoid annoying breakdowns.

Organise yourself each night. Pack everything you need, check tire pressure, check lights are working, if you need them. This makes for a stress free morning and a more relaxed ride to work. This also includes checking the weather, so you can have the correct clothing ready for yourself. Only carry essentials, anything else is just more weight to lug around.

Plan your route. Find the most cycle friendly route to your work. This is not always the most direct way, but by using available cycle lanes and avoiding, where possible, really busy roads, your commute will be a more pleasant way to start the day.

Do a couple of dummy runs on the weekend so you have an approximate travel time, and also make a mental note of potential hazards or trouble spots.

Riding in traffic can be down right scary, so take it easy at first, know your rights and obey traffic signals and the road code. The main thing is to be constantly alert and watch out for everything and everyone. You’re entitled to be on the road, so don’t allow yourself to pushed into the gutter by impatient motorists. By the same token don’t cycle in the middle of the road either. Try and follow other cycle commuters, you can spot the experienced ones, and see how they do it.

If you do get into a dispute with a motorist, it’s better just to be calm and polite, this will diffuse the situation rather than get into an argument where nobody wins.

Always wear a helmet, glasses and gloves and wear hi-vis clothing and have bright flashing lights front and back of your bike. 90% of cycle safety is being seen.

Cycling to work is very rewarding, and can be achieved in summer and winter, not only are you doing your bit for the planet, but you’re getting in some daily exercise, and you’ll find it a great way to start each day. Not to mention that slightly smug feeling you get, as you pass lines of stuck vehicles with their sole occupants fuming at another day of traffic jams.