8 Tips for the New Bicycle Commuter

Last spring I took up bicycle commuting. Actually, to be more accurate, last spring I tried to take up bicycle commuting. I didn’t get very far. Funny how a seemingly short ride can serve as a great reminder how much older you’ve gotten over the years.

I did learn a few lessons from my short stint as a bicycle commuter, and with the weather warming I’m ready to give it another shot. This time, I’ll be prepared. As with any frugal activity, there’s a risk of going all out by buying a new bike, fancy equipment and spending excessive amounts of money on a biking wardrobe. Since I’m frugal by nature, I look for simple ways to meet the basic needs of bicycle commuting.

1. Invest in a good helmet
No other piece of safety equipment is more important than the helmet. If you take a nasty spill and do bump your brain bucket, consider replacing it rather than trying to make do with a cracked helmet.

2. Upgrade your shorts
If you plan to commute more than five miles or so one-way, consider upgrading your riding clothes. If you are like me, and are not into the Spandex shorts, look for a pair of mountain bike shorts that are made to look much like regular cargo shorts with well-placed padding.

3. Don’t forget lighting
If part of your commute will occur near dawn or dusk, consider adding a headlight to the front of your bike. Even if all of your ride will happen in full daylight, think about adding a flashing tail light/reflector to the rear of your bike to attract attention from drivers.

4. Obey all traffic rules
Be sure to obey all traffic rules as if you were in a car. While most state laws recognize bikers have as much right to be on the road as cars, some drivers may not feel the same way – pedal defensively!

5. Travel light
Add some panniers to your bike, and make an effort to travel light by keeping a pair of work shoes at work, transporting files via USB drive (rather than a laptop), etc. You could carry some things by backpack, but backpacks can throw off your center of gravity, and if too heavy, increase strain on your neck and shoulders.

6. Scout out your route on the weekend
Run through your entire routine a couple times on the weekend to make sure you have the timing down. Look for segments of the trip that can be made on residential streets or bike paths, where automobile traffic is not as heavy.

7. Stock up on rain gear
Nothing like looking out your office window at quitting time and seeing rain clouds forming. Invest in a good rain jacket/poncho, and consider adding a back fender above your rear tire to lessen seat spray from wet tires.

8. Consider starting out with a one-way ride
If you have a particularly long commute, or haven’t been on the bike much recently, consider commuting one way, initially. Last spring, I grabbed a ride to work with my wife and carried my bike along. At the end of the day I rode the bike home. This way, I avoided having to shower and dress at work, and I was able to build my riding legs at a more comfortable pace.

Commuting by bicycle is a great way to save money and get an effective workout. It’s also good for the environment – think of the gas you could save! Spend some money up front to get good safety equipment. After all, a good helmet is cheaper than an emergency room visit.