It’s a beautiful day and you could be sitting at your desk, but instead you're cycling to work. The bicycle is the ultimate eco-friendly machine! Unlike other modes of transportation, bicycle commuting requires no fuel or electricity to move. It's also inexpensive, easy on your body, and good for the environment. But how do you start? What gear should you buy? How can you keep up your momentum? This blog post will answer all those questions and more with our guide to bicycle commuting by bike.
Where to start?
If you want to be a bicycle commuter, you'll need to plan your bicycle commute in advance. There are some bicycle commuters who do their bicycle commuting at the last minute, and it can be very inconvenient and stressful if you don't plan ahead. Many bicycle commuters know about the weather conditions that they'll be cycling in when they have to make plans on which kind of clothing to wear. They often dress for inclement weather so that they don't get too sweaty or wet when commuting to work by bicycle.
In addition to checking the weather in advance, bicycle commuters should also check the status of the roads where their bicycle commute will take place. The bicycle commuter may need to choose an alternate route if a certain road is closed due to construction.
What gear do I need?
To bicycle commute, you'll need to have bicycle gear that is geared towards cycling. You could cycle for the average bicycle commute with no bicycle gear at all, but it would be uncomfortable and not recommended for long distances.
What kind of bicycle gear do you need?
We recommend:
bicycle helmet, bicycle lock, and bicycle headlight.
Bicycle helmets are a must for bicycle commuters. They protect your skull if you get in an accident while cycling or if someone throws something at you from their car window. A bicycle lock is also essential to keep your bicycle safe when commuting by bike. A bicycle headlight is essential for nighttime bicycle commuting. In the event that you bike commute to work before sunrise, or in any conditions where it's dark out, a bicycle light will not only make your cycling safer but also easier on yourself.
How can I keep up my momentum?
A lot of bicycle commuters have trouble keeping their motivation high when bicycle commuting. If you're one of those people, don't lose hope! Here are some tips for how to keep up with your bicycle commute:
- Remember the benefits of bicycle commuting and why it's important that we all do our part in reducing car traffic
- Keep a cycling playlist on hand to motivate yourself (No time? Listen to some of our favorite bicycle commuting songs here)
- Find a bicycle commuter buddy and motivate each other!
- Keep an eye out for bicycle friendly businesses near your bike route. Sometimes they'll offer deals or discounts on certain days when you show up by bicycle.
Hopefully by now you're ready to start riding your bike to work. If bicycle commuting is new to you, we hope you enjoy it!