12 steps to get your bike commute started
By Jenny C. McCune • Bankrate.com
Need some guidance to get started on your eco-friendly commute?
Biking to work
Follow these 12 steps to ensure a safe and comfortable ride to work.
Tips before getting started
1. Start off easy
2. Don't feel you have to go the distance
3. Figure out your route
4. Test it before you commute
5. Find a bike buddy
6. Learn the rules of the road for bicycles
7. Investigate parking
8. Devise a cleanup plan
9. Carry flat fix essentials
10. Learn emergency adjustments
11. Inspect your bike before every ride
12. Perform routine maintenance
1. Start off easy
Instead of going from driving your car every day to exclusively riding your bike, commute by bicycle on a part-time basis, maybe once or twice a week, and only in fair weather.
Even cycling to work one day per week can substantially decrease your car usage, says Arthur Ross, the pedestrian-bicycle coordinator for the Traffic Engineering Division in Madison, Wis.
2. Don't feel you have to go the distance
If your commute is a long one, you may want to ride part of the way and then finish your commute by bus or train. Many municipalities, including Seattle; Salt Lake City; Austin, Texas, and Eugene, Ore., have bike racks on their mass transit buses or allow bikes on trains to help facilitate partial bike commutes.
3. Figure out your route
Think like a cyclist, not a motorist. That means that the shortest route -- especially if it is on a major highway -- is probably not the best idea. Look for streets with bike lanes, and avoid high-speed routes with no shoulders. To find good routes, check your city's Web site. Many bike-friendly municipalities have maps that show recommended routes. Also consider when the best time to travel is and whether it makes sense to leave earlier or later to avoid rush-hour traffic. Finally, have a "Plan B" route in your back bike jersey pocket in case there's an accident or construction delay.
4. Test it before you commute
Give your route a trial run on the weekend so you can work out the kinks and get an idea of how long it will take you. Then make adjustments as you go. For example, you may wish to find a different route when you discover "pinches" -- overpasses, for example, where there isn't a shoulder to ride on.
5. Find a bike buddy
Safety in numbers definitely applies to cycling -- plus getting someone more experienced to show you the ropes is always a good idea. "Even if you only ride halfway together, having a bike buddy can really help you break into riding," says Elizabeth Preston of the League of American Bicyclists, a bicycle advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.
6. Learn the rules of the road for bicycles
Most states have a department of transportation, which offers information on traffic laws, including how they apply to cyclists. Sometimes you can get the lowdown simply by visiting the DOT's Web site. Most states classify bicycles as vehicles, which means that bike riders must follow the same rules as motorists (riding in the same direction as other traffic, signaling turns, etc.).
7. Investigate parking
Some cities, including Washington, D.C.; Santa Barbara, Calif., and Seattle, offer or are in the process of setting up "bike stations," secure parking stations for bikes, as well as other amenities. Otherwise, a simple bike rack at work may suffice. If there isn't one, see if your employer or the owner of the building is willing to put one in. Sometimes municipalities or local bike shops offer free (or subsidized) bike racks. Also, if office space is ample, you may be able to find a spare corner where your bike can stay while you're working.
8. Devise a cleanup plan
Does your employer offer shower facilities or a discount on a health club membership? If you can't shower on the premises, you may be able to shower at a nearby health club or bike station. If not, you can use a restroom's sink to do quick a splash bath (clean up after yourself if you want to be welcome a second time). Depending on how hot it gets where you live and how long your commute is, you may find that you don't require a massive cleanup to be presentable.
9. Carry flat fix essentials
If you ride regularly, sooner or later you may get a flat tire. Always bring along a spare tube, tire irons and a pump. Before you have to change a tire out in the field, practice at home. Have a more experienced rider or your bike mechanic show you how to do it.
10. Learn emergency adjustments
Although flat tires are normally the worst thing you'll encounter on the road, it's a good idea to know how to perform emergency repairs. Knowing how to put your chain back on, how to keep your brake from rubbing and how to adjust your saddle can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one. Many bike shops routinely offer free maintenance clinics so you can learn emergency repairs and how to keep your bicycle in good working order.
11. Inspect your bike before every ride
Check your tire pressure and pump your tires up to the appropriate pressure, and you'll reduce your risk of pinch flats. Also make sure the brakes are working and that your bike is shifting properly.
12. Perform routine maintenance
Regularly clean your bike, lube your chain and inflate your tires. Chains get stretched and need to be replaced. Tires can lose their treads. Brakes get worn. The wear and tear of riding and hitting bumps can loosen handle bars and other vital parts. Have your bike regularly tuned up at a bike shop. How often you get a tuneup depends on how many miles you are putting on your bike. Try for a checkup every 2,000 to 3,000 miles -- or sooner if your bike stops working properly or starts making noises that you can't explain.
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