Bike Commuting

Bike to Work

by Leann on January 15, 2010

I’ve been riding my bike to work for a couple of decades now.  It’s often the highlight of my day.  Not to say work and other stuff is horrid, but cycling is such fun.  Here are a few essentials for having the best bike to work experience:

  1. Light yourself up like a Christmas Tree  – even in the broad daylight.  I’ve got a heavy duty bike light that made my wallet ache when I purchased the thing.  That was more than five years ago and it’s still clamped to my handlebars, glowing brightly with every pedal stroke.  Having a kick-ass front and back light will make you so much more visible and safe in traffic.   I turn them on even on the nicest of days.  I figure if it’s good for motorcyles, it’s good for bikes.
  2. Fenders for Winter Riding.  You will thank your lucky stars you’ve got fenders
    icon when the rainy season arrives.  All it takes is one grimy, wet ride on a fenderless bike to convince most people that fenders are a thing of beauty when biking on wets roads.
  3. Heavy Duty Tires. I’ve got some great commuting tires with a reflective strip and lots of tread.  I haven’t had a flat on them in more than two years of commuting.  And the fact that they still have tread on them is a thing of wonder.
  4. Clear Plastic Jacket. It’s cheap, waterproof, and easy to stuff into your backpack just incase you get caught in a downpour.  Here’s what I’m talking about.

Bike Commute Challenge

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance sponsors the annual Bike Commute Challenge.  It’s a great way to give bicycling to work a try and they have plenty of commuting resources for you.

Here are some tips for dressing for winter cycling
icon.

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