Four times a year I teach a workshop called "Be a Bike Commuter" for the local university's community education program. It's mostly based on my experience and information from the League of American Bicyclists. I am looking at making some changes for the next session and am wondering, from other experienced commuters, what things you wish someone would have told you that would have made your first few commutes more successful and/or enjoyable.
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My suggestion would be: Scout and rehearse your route before you start. This is really an exercise in two parts:
Once your commute is established I'd suggest that fairly regularly you allow yourself a bit more time (much easier going home!) to explore alternative routes - especially for urban commuters. The most obvious routes are not always the best, you may find shortcuts that are faster or routes that are prettier or have less traffic or smoother surfaces or that you simply like better (or that are not really very different but allow you to vary your route from time to time "just because"). |
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Occupy enough lane to make cars think twice about 'sneaking' by you. Get fenders even on your nice road bike a wet butt sucks when you ride home and your shorts are cold. Leave early enough to enjoy the view. My best commute I watched 6 eagles in a field 10' away. Wouldn't have been able to stop for a few minutes if I hadn't left early. |
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I'm not sure how you'd teach it, but I think an ability to relax and just get on with it has made my commute much more pleasant. I ride about 12 miles each way, through some fairly busy bits of London. There are some bike lanes, advanced stop lines, separated paths and all sorts of possible things to confuse the new bike commuter, but the thing that obviously gets to a lot of people is that there is just so much going on. The noise, the bustle, cars and lorries going in all directions, shouts from pedestrians, not necessarily at you (but sometimes). You have to pay attention to the road, its surface, the upcoming junctions and obstacles, but beyond that, just create a little bubble of calm. You might be faster than other people, you might be slower, but don't let them distract you or at least try to reduce the amount of road rage you create. I see dozens of things on every ride that could (and used) to annoy me - bikes going through red lights or riding on pavements, car drivers cutting up me or other bikes, talking on their mobile phones or turning without indicating - but since I've stopped worrying, I'm enjoying the ride a lot more. Just worry about yourself and let the others find their own path - and every now and then, just pass a comment to a neighbour when you're waiting at a junction. You'll both be happier for it. |
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Be as visible as possible, and assume you are invisible. No matter how much neon spandex and blinky lights you have, some drivers won't notice you until it's too late, especially if it is rainy, getting dark, and their radio is on. ASSUME you are invisible and they are all out to hit you, and ride accordingly. |
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Claim your space on busy roads When approaching parked cars, start pulling out into the road well before the parked car. This gives drivers coming up behind you notice that they're going to have to leave you some space so you can get around the car. Also, I sometimes pretend to wobble when I hear a vehicle approaching from behind that sounds like it's fast or big. This should worry the driver a bit in thinking you're a novice so that they give you a bit more space. I guess, I'm saying, be confident in claiming the road you need because not all drivers will be thoughtful enough to give you that space if you don't ask for it. Hopefully that makes sense, it's a little tricky to describe. But, last week I went out with my girlfriend at the weekend to practice the route she was going to start commuting, and I just felt that by not cycling assertively, she was allowing cars to take up space and get closer to her than they should have been. |
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The Most Direct Route is Not Always the Best Or in other words. Your driving commute route is usually a horrible bicycling commute route. I purposefully avoid big roads as much as possible and take small residential streets or dedicated bike paths when available, an extra mile on a bike path can actually save you time over a shorter busy commute route, not to mention the savings to your health, safety, and the increase in your general enjoyment. If my commute reminds me of my sunday ride, then I know I have a good route. You are a bicyclist, there is no reason to endanger your life on the 50MPh express-way when the 25MPH residential street can get you there just as quickly. In California, residential streets are often extremely wide (Parked car + Bike Lane + 1.5Width lanes both ways) compared to dedicated expressways and can be orders of magnitude more safe and comfortable to ride (The pavement is often newer and less broken). If you are new to the area, spend a weekend or two just exploring local residential streets, hop on over to google maps and find the a way to use small streets to get to where you need to go (often this involves riding through the residential maze and with at least 5 or 6 street changes). Practice your route at least once and carry a printout of the route with you at least the first few times. I do have the right to a lane, even on the busiest streets, but the fact of the matter is that not everyone respects this right and not everyone is aware of this right. During Busy commutes, drivers are often distracted in many different ways (putting on makeup, drinking coffee, worrying about being late, etc.) and can be unaware of bicyclists, nothing will ruin your day more than an accident on the way to work. |
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This is good for any ride, not just commuting, but sometimes people think that since they're "only" commuting it's not as important:
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You may find it easier on your commute, depending on the length of the ride and how much stuff you have to carry with you, to invest in racks and panniers rather than a backpack or messenger bag. My finding has been that weight "on the bike" is much less noticeable than weight attached to your body. If you commute with a full change of clothes, pair of shoes, kryptonite U-lock, laptop, and shower gear you'll find that your bag will become quite heavy. Might make your ride less cumbersome with that stuff in a luggage bag instead of across your shoulders. |
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Never, ever listen to music while cycling. As Scottie says, "Cyclists use their ears like rear view mirrors." Of course, you should also have a traffic side mirror. |
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you might be surprised how incredibly rude people can be. I'm actually a second generation commuter & have been riding to work my entire adult life, and still am floored regarding how little consideration for your life those in cars take. And commuting puts you in the line of fire for the worst driving behavior--drivers are cranky on their way to work and even worse on the way home. So my advice would be: prepare to see some unseemly behavior. (p.s. I live in a really friendly bike town too (Portland, Oregon))--compared to a lot of places this is bike-paradise. |
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Get a seat bag and have at least one spare innertube, a multi-tool, spare CO2 (if that's your inflator of choice, a frame pump otherwise), and park a $10 bill in there. It's not a matter of 'if' you have a mechanical, but 'when'. Anticipate it, prepare for it, and deal with it. More than once (because I don't learn quickly) I got as far from either end of my ride and had a flat. I ended up riding home on my rim, which is BAD. Additionally I have a laminated photocopy of my driver's license in case I'm unresponsive, but that may be overkill. |
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Maintain awareness of your surroundings when riding in marked bike lanes. Two friends, and I know of others, have had collisions with cars while in clearly marked bike lanes. Apparently, some cyclists assume they are safe just because they are in a marked lane and thus drop their attentiveness. |
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The importance of layered clothing. On my earliest bike commute on a crisp fall day, I put on a coat and headed out. At first I was cold, but after a mile or two I got comfortable. Halfway up my first hill I warmed up and unzipped my coat. At the top of the hill I took it off. By the bottom I was freezing again and put the coat back on. And then again on the next hill... Anyway, over the years I've found that a wind shell plus various thin layers is key to cold weather comfort while commuting. |
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Stand on pedals to ride over cracks and bumps When you're going over bumps, pot-holes, and cracks in the pavement/asphalt: stand (put all your weight on) the pedals and lift your bum off the seat; and coast (without pedalling) over the obstruction. Doing that is more comfortable for you, and for the bike. (P.S.: I do this wearing bike shoes which clip to the pedals; I have little experience of how easy/safe it would be to do when unclipped). Also, do this when you're going over a smooth speed bump (which would otherwise tend to eject you from the saddle). |
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A well maintained bike (tire pressure, oil chain...) with the proper equipement makes a big difference. Good mud guards are definitly one of the best improvements I had on my bike along with a good lighting system (cars seem to leave a wider space when they overpass). |
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The one thing l would recommend is puncture proof tyres, I use the Specialized Armadillo range. Only twice in 3 years has anything managed to puncture my inner tubes. I live and commute in a large city, lots of broken glass and other nice stuff and that's what's in the cycle lanes! Don't skimp on clothing it makes a different l have purchased some sealskinz clothing. Seems pricey however its worth all the money and more. Also remembering that I'm not training or in a race, taking it easy once in while :-) |
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Assume that every vehicle that passes you is also pulling a trailer, so that you won't be surprised when it happens. Also be aware (at least in my area) that city busses have their engines in the back, so they 'sound' further away than they really are. Cyclists use their ears like rear view mirrors. Better yet, get a rear-view mirror. |
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Pack light. Leave whatever you can at work, and only pack tools that are appropriate to the distance that you are travelling. Cycling is much easier with less weight! For example - on my previous commute the distance was short enough that if I got a puncture in the middle of the ride, it would be quicker to walk the rest of the way than repair it at the side of the road. I decided to leave a replacement tube, tyre levers and a pump at either end of my commute, instead of carrying them with me. |
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Allow for cool down time once you get to your destination. I've always found that when I'm actually rolling I never feel that hot or sweaty, but as soon as I stop at my destination and don't have the wind on me anymore - BAM! - I'm sweating like a pig. Not a good look when you are about to start work. So I always try to arrive 10 minutes early so I have a chance to cool down and stop sweating. If your destination doesn't have air conditioning, it's sometimes worth stopping at the nearest place that DOES have air conditioning (shops, library, highrise building foyer, etc) to sit quietly for 5 min to cool down. Then ride nice and easy to your final destination looking fresh and clean ; ) |
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Make sure there is somewhere safe to put your bike at the other end. I Just started commuting to work by bike and I turned up at the front door of my office absolutely exhausted on Tuesday expecting to just be able to take my bike up to my office in the lift. The Janitor/Doorman said no way, citing health and safety. He did point me to a place on a disused stairwell where they allow someone else who works in the building to store their bike, but he said that they were bending the rules as technically it was a fire exit, it's just that no one was using that half of the building so it wasn't an issue at the moment. |
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One more for the list - "prehydrate" - that is, start drinking water some time before your ride. Starting out dehydrated is painful and totally unnecessary! |
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I'm lucky to live in a country where the bike is an accepted means of transportation. Lots of bike lanes, and bike friendly traffic lights (some places). But that's countered with a lot of rain and wind. When you start biking, don't overestimate yourself. When your condition improves, speed increases accordingly. And listen to your body (if your heart appears to be jumping out of your ribcage, you probably went too fast). Be prepared for bad weather. If necessary invest in a good rainsuit because you will get wet. And not all offices have showers. Besides, driving while wet has risks of cooling down, which is often underestimated. As a positive note, biking is fun. It improves your health. You see a lot more of the surroundings. And you can play little games/challenges with yourself. |
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Leave Your Car At Work -- You Don't have to Commute Both Ways Each Day If you drive in with your bike, then commute home leaving your car at work you can get away with only commuting one way per day. You also have your car at work if an emergency comes up, or in case of extreme inclement weather. It's amazing how many people don't think that this is an option, and it makes a lot of sense for people with small children and people just getting started commuting by bicycle. |
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Use a Route Planning Website I use Cycle Streets in the UK, it provides you with a fastest, balanced and quietest route from A to B. I assume there are similar sites for the US as well. There are also various applications you can download for your smartphone that will give you a route from where ever you are to where ever you need to go, useful if you take a wrong turn or need to go somewhere new. |
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I've read through all the answers here, but if I could go back in time and tell myself one thing, it would be: "Be prepared for everything." I now pack my road bike with enough of everything to last me if I had to camp out for the night (water, protein bars) plus my rain gear, a tarp, and all of the equipment I need to do minor repairs. Part of this also includes what I saw in a prior answer: "Know your route". I moved to a new office building earlier this year and it totally changed my route, so I walked it first (took me 3 hours) before I rode it. That helped me get a sense of the traffic and things to avoid. |
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Sit back when braking When you're braking hard, and especially if you brake when going down-hill, sit back as far as you can: lean forwards, stretch your arms out, and push your bum back to behind the saddle. Doing this will help to keep you from going over the handlebars. |
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Buy clip in shoes/pedals if you are going to ride in the rain Clip in shoes/pedals made riding in the rain much better. Prior to that, it was difficult due to my feet slipping from the pedals. They are easy enough to unclip from if you ever need to in a hurry. |
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