Simplifying Your Commute

Want a good way to wake up in the morning without the coffee? Enjoy a cool morning breeze and the wind in your face? Want to save a little dough, be kind to the environment and stay in shape too? Try biking to work! It may seem far-fetched, but you'd be surprised how fast and easy it is to bike to most places. Here are a few tips on learning to get around.

Get your ride
This may seem obvious, but picking your bike is important. Will you be riding greenbelt trails, or urban streets? Are you a speed demon or a cruiser? There are lots of good places to find bicycles, including craigslist and freecycle. Buying a brand new bike can be very expensive, but can pay for itself in the gas you save in a few months in most cases. If buying a brand new bike isn't an option, remember that bike specialty shops can also do upgrades and repairs for relatively cheap. Updating gears, changing tires, outfitting the saddle or adjusting the handlebars to your liking are just a few of many things they can do. But mainly, be sure that everything functions tightly and smoothly, the body of the bike fits your height and posture, it's easy to shift (if you don't have a fixed gear) and that your butt is comfy in the saddle! I do recommend getting a bike with gears for your first ride, especially if there are hills in your area. You'll go a lot faster and expend less energy to get there.

Outfit yourself
Be sure to fit your bike with all the gear you'll need. The basics are reflectors (required by law in most places), headlamp (for riding when it's dark), bike lock and basket (or backpack). Be sure your bike lock is secure and that you always use it. It's handy to have a backpack or basket that is waterproof for anything you may carry, such as groceries or a briefcase. Extras you'll want to consider are reusable water bottle, change of clothes if you sweat a lot, and windbreaker that doubles as a raincoat. However keep in mind that every item you carry has the potential to weigh you down, so don't pack too much.


Find your route
Many cities provide bike trail routes and bikeable hiking trails on their local government homepage. Google now has bike routes in beta. Pick your start and end point and adjust the lines to what works for you. The best routes are ones that follow bike paths, steer clear of overcrowded streets and can cut straight through neighborhoods with few turns.

Get riding
Remember that bicyclists have to follow the same road rules as cars! Stay with the flow of traffic, stop at lights, and learn your hand signals (Stick your arm straight out to the right for a right turn, hold up your arm in an L shape for a left turn. Pointing works too.) Be extra watchful of your surroundings for cars making turns and people stepping into your path. And most importantly, OWN your space in the road! Some drivers may get cranky, but it is essential to your safety and visibility to ride in the lane and not squished against the curb where you could be sideswiped. If at all possible, make sure you can see the driver in their rearview or side mirrors. That way you know they can see you. When you're first starting out, try doing trial runs to the market or just to work and back in the evenings to get a feel for what you'll be dealing with, how sweaty you get, how fast you go and how long your ride will be. Remember that bikes shift up and down depending on speed, just like a car. If you're sailing along, shift up a gear to go even faster!

Depending on rush hour traffic, sometimes riding a bike is just as fast as riding in your car, and it is far more rewarding. With a little practice and preparation, pedaling to where you're going is fun and exhilarating. Enjoy the ride!