Tired of spending a small fortune at the gas pump? Hate rush hour traffic? Want to get into shape? If one or more of these things describes you, then you might want to consider commuting by bicycle to work. In addition to saving money, time, and traffic angst, cycling is greenhouse gas emissions free, leaving you with a clean conscience and a smile on your face.
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BENEFITS for the Environment:
Automobiles are one of the largest sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. For every gallon of gasoline burned, car engines spew twenty pounds of carbon dioxide (a harmful greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere.1 Levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere have been steadily rising over the past fifty years,2 and a significant portion of this increase can be linked to the added number of cars on the road. In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants from automobiles have been linked to urban smog and acid rain.3 Not only does bicycling not add pollutants or greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, the aerobic exercise of cycling can actually improve the health of your heart and lungs.
BENEFITS for your Wallet:
With the national average price tag of $3.68 a gallon,4 gasoline can be a big, unwanted expenditure. Cycling to work is one way to save some cash on gasoline, but also on other areas like parking costs and car maintenance. Whether you bike to work every day or a couple times a month, the cost savings will add up quickly.
BENEFITS for your Health:
Biking to work is one way of building a workout into a busy day. An aerobic exercise, cycling is good for your heart and lungs, and can actually give you more energy throughout the day.5 Additionally, you can build muscle and reduce the stress caused by road rage and traffic jams. Cycling to work allows you to be the ultimate multi-tasker, getting in your daily cardio while getting to and from work.
Cost: Low
Actually, biking to work can actually save you money. Don’t worry about going out and buying a fancy bike or all of the accessories right away. Start out with any working bike and build up from there once you have determined that bicycle commuting works for you. If you do end up investing in a high-end bike, the cost savings from parking fees, gasoline use, and car maintenance should more than pay for the investment within a few months.
Time and Effort: Moderate
This mostly depends on your specific situation and where you are commuting to and from, but you would be surprised at how efficient bicycle commuting can be. Traffic and construction can often add a great deal of time to your daily work commute via car, and these inconveniences can typically be avoided on a bicycle. Some cities even offer special bike trails or bike routes that can be especially speedy, bypassing car traffic altogether and often offering a scenic vista along the way.
Biking to Work:
It’s never too late to become a bike commuter. If you’ve thought about it at all, you might as well give it a try to see how it works for you.
The first step is getting a bike or making sure that the bike you have is in working order. Don’t go out and buy a fancy bike right away. Anything with a couple of gears and two working wheels should be fine at first. Be sure that there’s plenty of air in your tires and that there aren’t any obviously broken parts on the bike. If you do see something that looks amiss, it’s better to get it checked out before you hit the road.
iiBefore you begin, you should also make sure that you have a helmet and bike lights, especially if you’re planning on riding at night. Light or reflective clothing is also a good idea since it will make it easier for cars and drivers to see you.
Once you have a bike and a helmet, try going on a few practice bike rides. Don’t worry if you feel a little sore afterwards, as cycling may exercise different muscles than you are used to using, but that’s normal for anyone starting out. After you’ve gone for a few short practice rides you should feel more comfortable on your bike. Many commuters express nervousness at the thought of biking on the road, but as long as you follow the rules of traffic and practice common courtesy to the cars sharing the road, you should be fine. Don’t forget, along with cars, you must abide by stop signs, stop lights, and yielding to pedestrians, in addition to other traffic signs.
When biking on the road, always try to make it clear to drivers what you’re going to do, or, in other words, be predictable. Signal when you are going to turn, and do not weave in and out of lanes without giving drivers around you a heads up.
After getting comfortable on your bike, try making a few practice commutes to work. Try to practice on a weekend or day off before you bike to work for the first time. This can allow you to ride at an easy pace and experiment with your route. It will also give you an idea about how much time you will need to allot yourself in order to get to work on time.
Many workplaces are becoming more biker friendly, and often will provide an indoor bike storage room for employees. Some workplaces even offer showers as a convenience for bike commuters. Check with your workplace to see what’s available, or what options they might consider for the future. If you don’t have those amenities available to you, don’t worry. Check to see if you might be able to store your bike in a closet somewhere or even shoved to the side of your office or cubicle. Otherwise, there may be bike racks nearby or other permanent objects that you could lock your bike securely to. U-lock bike locks are generally the most secure locks if you’re planning on leaving your bike outside. Check with a local bike shop to find the best option for you.
Lastly, plan your wardrobe and decide whether it’s better for you to ride to work in your work clothes, or whether you should change at work. This will most likely depend on the commute that you’ll be making. If it’s a short, easy commute, you could probably get away with wearing your work clothes. Otherwise, consider wearing loose fitting, comfortable clothing, and packing your work clothes with you. Often a wet paper towel and some deodorant suffice for bike commuters to be comfortable once they get to work, but you should experiment with what feels right for you.
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If you decide bike commuting is a viable option for you, you might think about investing in a bike made specifically for the type of commuting you will be doing. Or perhaps you might think about panniers, or side-satchels that will attach to the sides of the bike. Local bike shops should be able to answer any questions you may have about your specific biking needs. In the meantime, here are a few links to get you started exploring the wonderful world of bicycle commuting. Good luck!
