Bike Commute Tips Blog
Commute by Bike
Ken Kifer’s Bike Pages
League of American Bicyclists
Many websites for specific locations also come up in the search results. To see what's offered in your neck of the woods, add your city or community to your search. I've also added a list of bicycling links to my sidebar for you to explore.
I want to share some things I've learned from my bicycling experiences. I invite you to share your tips in the comment section. Bike commuting is a great way to lower your carbon footprint, get some exercise, save money on gas, and improve your life.
General tips
- Got bike? If you don't have a bike, it's hard to start commuting by bike. For good tips on what to look for, check out my sweetie's guest post on buying a used bike. If you have the money to go buy a new bike, make sure to shop at a reputable bike shop rather than the big box stores so that you get a good bike put together by qualified mechanics. For those on a budget, check yard sales, ads, and craigslist for additional gear. (Don't buy a used helmet, however.)
- Wear a helmet. Serious brain injuries can occur even in accidents at very slow speeds. Replace your helmet after a crash even if it looks perfectly fine. Its ability to protect your head will be compromised, and it's just not worth risking your brain.
- Comfort counts. If riding is uncomfortable, you will be less likely to choose the bike over the car. Get a seat that works for you and make sure your bike is adjusted for your body. Here is just one example of how to adjust your bike fit.
- Always lock your bike. You always lock your car when you leave it, so why wouldn't you do the same for your bike? If your bike is your ride, you don't want to come out of work, a store, or even your home to find it missing. Buy a quality lock and use it.
- Always take water with you. Even a short trip may take longer than you expect if you get a flat tire. Some metal water bottles will fit in a bike's bottle cage and some now even offer a sport top for active people.
- Know your local cycling laws and obey the rules of the road. Some communities provide a handout of this information, often available at local bike stores. Here are the bicycle traffic laws for Tucson.
- Find a good route. The safest route may not necessarily be the one with the shortest distance. Check with your local bike shop for maps and suggestions.
- Plan ahead. Biking may take longer than driving and you need to allow time to lock up your bike at your destination.
- Allow time to change clothes and clean up at work. If transporting your work clothes in good condition is impossible by bike, consider driving in every Monday with a week’s worth of work clothes. Bring the dirty clothes home on Friday in a bike bag.
- Learn to repair a flat and change a tire. You'll save money and time if you know how to deal with your own flat tires. Carry a small bike pump, flat tire repair kit, and spare tube with you. If you get a lot of flats, consider sliming your tubes or buying flat-resistant tires.
- Get out there and ride. No amount of reading can substitute for experience.
Tips for Carrying Stuff
There are plenty of ways to carry stuff on your bike. Some are fairly low-cost while others require more of an investment. How much you need to carry will determine your needs. I recommend against hanging bags of groceries from your handlebars, though, as this makes the bike less stable.
Don't forget to check thrift stores, ads, yard sales, and craigslist to find these options used.
- Backpack - this option lets you take everything with you at each stop. The disadvantages are carrying weight on your back and sweat soaking your shirt.
- Rack - mounting a rack over the rear wheel provides a platform for carrying stuff, as well as a place to attach other options. Versatile.
- Bungee cords - great for securing stuff to racks. I keep a couple on hand most of the time, just in case.
- Rack bag - a specially designed bag that attaches to the rack to hold your stuff. They are not all that big, but there's enough room to toss in a change of clothes or a bag of groceries.
- Baskets - wire baskets often hang off the rear rack, providing a place to just toss your stuff and go. Bungee cords are handy for taller items. Some baskets also fold flat when not in use, a nice feature for crowded bike racks.
- Panniers - these soft bags also hang off the rear rack but are easily removed at your destination. Made with a variety of materials. If rain is possible, be sure to select a waterproof pair. (Mine have a rain cover in the top pocket that provides complete coverage during bad weather. I love the bright yellow color on the rain covers as it increases my visibility as well.)
- Cargo bikes - these are bikes designed for carrying more stuff on a regular basis. They are great for businesses that deliver by bike as well as individuals looking for ways to transport goods without driving. My Xtracycle is a type of cargo bike.
- Trailers - a way to seriously increase a bike's ability to haul stuff. There are many types of trailers available, ranging from home-built options to expensive but very sturdy designs that you can use to move darn near anything. (There are people that move from one home to another by bike, including all their major appliances!)
Tips for Biking in Heat
- Bike early in the day when the temperatures are cooler. This doesn't always work if the places you are going don't open early.
- Dress in lighter clothes, especially fabrics that wick away sweat. Technical fabrics are much cooler on a hot day than cotton or denim. Check thrift stores to buy used.
- Wear a helmet. A bike helmet with good ventilation will keep your head cooler (and more protected in an accident) than riding bare-headed.
- Wet down hair and/or clothes. Evaporation will help cool you off when it's hot.
- Electric assist. This is my answer to dealing with 100+ degree summer temperatures in the desert. I can use a little, or a lot, of power to keep me from getting over-heated.
Tips for Biking in Cold
I don't have as much experience with biking in cold weather other than a chilly and wet winter in Oregon. However, even severe winter weather is not an excuse for the dedicated cyclist.
- Dress appropriately for your conditions. This may mean dressing in layers to retain heat and checking out clothes made specifically for cold weather sports. Find what works for you.
- Learn appropriate riding techniques for ice and snow.
Tips for Biking in Rain
- Wear a waterproof outer layer. A good "shell" will keep you from getting soaked. This is especially important in cold weather where being wet and chilled can lead to hypothermia. For drenching rains, remember to look into rain pants as well as a jacket.
- Fenders. These will keep water and mud from spraying up your backside from the back tire. Definitely worth it if heading out to an important business meeting!
- Keep your seat dry. Cover your bike seat with a plastic bag when leaving the bike in the rain. Remove bag before heading out and your butt will stay dry.
- Slow down and pay close attention to road. Rain makes the road more slippery. Manhole covers and painted road lines get very slick so avoid them if at all possible. If you can’t avoid them, ride straight over them without turning or braking.
- Be visible. Drivers can’t see as well in poor conditions so wear bright rain gear and use your lights.
Tips for Biking at Night
- Be visible! Drivers will not be able to see you as well as you can see them.
- Have a bright rear blinking red light and a front headlight. The brighter, the better.
- Ride defensively. Assume that cars will not see you and ride accordingly.
- Know your route. Hitting unexpected potholes can be hazardous.
Share your Tips
Do you have some additional tips to share? What were the important lessons you learned when you began commuting by bike?
My tip would be to take baby steps. If you're not comfy on a bike, don't start off on the highway. Start off in your neighborhood. Once you've gained a little confidence, use sidewalks, and then progress to the road. Once you get going on the road, you'll soon figure out where in town you need to hug the side and where you need to be in the middle of the lane. It's all a learning experience.
ReplyDeleteOh, and don't forget to have fun. Even when you are going long distances, feel free to take it slowly, don't rush yourself.
Wow! What a terrific post, very comprehensive! I have been a lurker here for quite some time, but I just had to say 'Hi" and good job!
ReplyDeleteA reminder, folks. Do not leave comments for your business ventures. I will delete them. My blog is not your free billboard!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see this, though I bet it was covered somewhere in all that:
ReplyDeleteRailroad tracks that come in at an angle. If they slant away from you right to left, veer a bit left and cut across at a steeper angle left to right, and vice versa for the versy vicey. Same as for scooters and motorcycles. Deadly to the uninitiated -- me for example, one night in 1968!
My big tip - install a simply horn or loud bell and don't be afraid to use it. I bike in a very urban environment and both my bell & horn have saved me from cars backing out of driveways, vehicles creeping forward into crosswalks/bike lane to pull out of a side street, or most recently a person on one of those electric scooters darting from the city sidewalk to the street and back.
ReplyDeleteTip #2 Smile I've met alot of nice people while running errands that just doesn't happen when your behind the wheel of a car.
Good post Chili!
Great post.
ReplyDeleteHere are a few tips I learned from experience.
When you think a vehicle in front of you is about to turn into your path, watch its front wheel. Not all drivers signal their turns but their front wheels always give them away.
Learn emergency braking techniques in a safe location, preferably downhill, until the proper braking technique become second nature. Apply three times the force on the front brake as the rear brake while shifting your weight as far back as possible. Rear brakes are not as effective as the front brake and tend to skid during braking. Remember, you have no time to think during emergencies.
Learn to look behind you without swerving into traffic. When approaching an intersection, make sure that the road surface in front of you is clear of debris and cracks, then make a quick scan behind you. Be prepared to make evasive maneuver if any vehicle is in position to cut you off while turning.
Use your ears. Train yourself to judge what is approaching from behind. You don't always hear the engine but you will always hear the sound the tires make when they run over the road surface. The pitch of this sound is a very good indication of the vehicle's speed.
Watch out for wrong way cyclists especially when making turns.
At traffic stops don't filter to the front. When the traffic light turns green you can get caught wobbling along at low speed while cars are zooming past you on both sides.
Be patient.
Heather - good point. I disagree, though, about riding on sidewalks. Here it is illegal, and it can lead to accidents with pedestrians. Better to stick to small neighborhood roads until confident in abilities. Re speed, my sweetie has said numerous times that you can go a lot further at a slower speed than burning yourself out at a fast one.
ReplyDeleteMichael - thanks for de-lurking! Glad you enjoyed the post.
Risa - good advice. I have to cross two sets of tracks near my CSA and always make sure I hit them at as close to a 90 degree angle as possible. Besides being slick, a tire can also get wedged between the track and road bringing the bike to a sudden stop (never a good thing!)
Pelenaka - another good tip. Making sure people are aware of your presence is a life-saver! And smiling will keep the experiences positive.
Anonymous poster - thank you for adding some very good additional tips. I do all these things so automatically that I forgot to mention them. That's what I love about the community aspect of blogging - more comprehensive coverage due to group input.
And funny you should mention taking off slow and wobbly from a red light... Last night was my first heavy load on the Xtracycle (30 pound watermelon plus a whole lot more) and I was indeed slow and wobbly coming off the light!
Thanks for the tips! I'm not at all comfortable on a bike, though I wish I were. I just don't seem to take the time to get used to it. When I do, I'll try to take all of this into consideration.
ReplyDeleteStephanie - what aspect of it are you uncomfortable with? Balance? The traffic?
ReplyDeleteChile, I've always been uncomfortable on a bike. It just feels awkward to me to lean over and not fall (so yes, partly balance). I think I'd feel better if I had a bike that you sit up straight on, but since I don't, I'll have to get comfortable on the one I have. And of course most of my asthma issues flare up when I'm on a bike, so I have to figure out how to fix that first.
ReplyDeleteStephanie - I was not comfortable on a road bike, either. Why not trade your bike for one that will work better for you?
ReplyDeleteStephanie - I got my first bike about 3 years ago (well, my first bike in 20 years anyway). I didn't like the feel of the road bike. I got a Giant Cypress Hybrid and just love it. In fact, my hubby went out and got one for himself last year because he liked it for commuting/running errands too. You might look into it. You sit more upright. It's like a cruiser with gears.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chile and Heather. I'll take your considerations into account but right now biking is not on my list of priorities, financial or otherwise.
ReplyDelete