7 Tips for Bike Commuting

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7 Tips For Bike Commuting

Bike commuting is a great way to improve your health, save money, and help the environment. Here are 7 tips to help you get started with bike commuting:

Be Safe

Get a headlight and taillight for your bike if you will be riding in the dark. Always wear a helmet. If your helmet feels too hot it might be time to upgrade to a helmet with more vents. Here are some options. Make sure you follow the rules of the road.

 

Keep your change of clothes wrinkle free

Put your clothes in a dry-cleaning bag and roll it up before you put it in your bag. Find a bag that will be big enough for your clothes, food, etc. You can either use a messenger bag or a rack and panniers for carrying your gear while commuting. A rack and panniers will probably be the most comfortable option.

 

Secure your Bike

Get a good bike lock and make sure to lock up your frame and wheels. A good lock will also often come with anti theft protection, it’s kind of like insurance for your lock . Just be sure to check the details on your lock and register it. The best option is to store it inside so check with your employer on where you can put your bike.

 

Find a good bike commuting route

Using the bike function in Google Maps is a great place to start looking for good bike commuting routes. If you use Strava look where people are riding around the route you want to take. Talk to local riders or shops to get info on where great rides are.

 

Maintain Your Bike

As you put on miles from commuting be sure to stay up to date on preventative maintenance like replacing your tires every 1,000 to 3,000 miles and chain every 1,000 to 5,000 miles. Be sure to wipe down your bike especially after riding in wet or muddy conditions and keep your chain lubed. Having a cleaning kit  is a great way to start with keeping your bike clean.

 

Baby Wipes are your friend

If you don’t have a shower where you are going take it easy on your commute and use baby wipes to freshen up after a ride. They also work great if you get some grease on your leg.

 

Layer your Clothing

The temperature may vary a lot as you ride in the early morning so make sure to wear multiple layers of clothing so you can take layers off as you heat up during your ride.

If you need a better bike for commuting be sure to look at our Simbi and Speedster bikes.