Want to save money, prevent pollution, and get more exercise? Try riding your bike to work! By trading your car for a bicycle every morning, you will help save the environment and your waistline. Just read this guide to find out how to bike to work.
Want to save money, prevent pollution, and get more exercise? Try riding your bike to work! By trading your car for a bicycle every morning, you will help save the environment and your waistline. Just read this guide to find out how to bike to work.
Introduction
- Riding your bike to work will help the environment, spare you from sitting in traffic, boost your physical health, and save you a small fortune in fuel costs. Sound good? Lots of people happily and safely ride their bicycles to work every day, and you can be one of them with a bit of preparation. Just follow these steps and you will find yourself pedaling to the office in no time.
Step 1: Choose a Bicycle
- Naturally, you will need to get your hands on a good bike before you can start cycling to work. You can buy a new one if you're willing to shell out the dough, but a used bike will cost less. If you opt for the previously owned variety, make sure that the bike is free of rust and major damages. Also, stay away from racing bikes, as they aren't meant for everyday commuting. Here are some types of bikes that are suitable for biking to work:
- Mountain bikes
- Touring bikes
- Sports touring bikes
- English 3-Speeds
- Hybrid bikes
- City bikes
- Comfort bikes
Step 2: Plan a Route
Once you decide to take your bike to work, you may find that you need to alter your route. You will no longer be able to take highways, and some major thoroughfares will no longer be safe for you. Look at a map of the area you will be traversing (Google Maps would be an excellent place to start), and take note of any dangerous roads between your home and your workplace. Look for parallel streets that appear to be more bicycle-friendly.
You may find that it takes a bit of exploration to find the best route for your needs. Allow yourself a little bit of extra time the first few days of biking so that you can change your path on the fly if things get too sticky.
Keep in mind that you will have more choices than with a vehicle, as your bike can go places that a car cannot.
Step 3: Play it Safe
- Riding a bike requires a different mentality than driving, and you will need to be aware of bike laws. The number one rule is to always be safe. You will be dealing with inconsiderate drivers, as well as motorists who may not even know you are there. Follow these rules to maximize safety:
- Wear a helmet
- Always use hand signals
- Wear bright clothing
- Make sure your reflectors are clean
- Stay on the right side of the road
- Check out bicyclesafe.com for more tips.
Conclusion
Biking to work has many advantages: less pollution, no waiting in traffic, and great exercise, to name a few. To get started, just get your hands on a suitable bike and pick your route. Once you're on the road, make it a point to follow safety rules so that you make it to work without a scratch. Once you start biking, you just may find that you never want to drive a car to work again!
