Welcome to 2015!
Another year is awaiting us with new wonderful experiences. During the Christmas holidays a lot of us have listed several "new year resolutions" and there is nothing wrong with that. Best though is when at least 50% of those can be achieved, perhaps even 25% because it still represent a little step towards reaching our goals and as we all know, every little bit counts!
Today we wish to talk to you about commuting on a bicycle: how to start a comfortable and stress-free progression from your car to your bike when commuting to and from work. Most people are always scared of this idea, mainly due to little knowledge of bikes, rules and sometimes lack of motivation. This article today aims to provide you with all of these including some tips for your safety and the safety of your bike when commuting under any condition.
So, how do we develop a safe and effective bike commuting program to and from work? Well, as anything planning is fundamental, however, it does not need to be too heavily articulated, we can make a good one very simple!
Here are few steps to start with:
1) Define your entire trip back and forth: start with a GPS or Google map or a simple paper map of the exact route you will be pedaling. Along the itinerary it is very important to know of any possible pit-stop point, any bike shop or grocery store to refill your bike with needed parts or yourself with food and drinks. Most important, find a route that is less likely to be overcrowded with cars and thus jammed, it is not a great idea to ride along cars that do not move as many more hazards (doors opening, continuous stopping, sudden lane changing) may well occur;
2) Check your whole equipment: a functioning happy bicycle of course, but not just that. Check your helmet and its straps, a safe well strapped helmet can spare you injuries and police fines! Check your lights and bike reflectors, these are all accessories that when working can provide a positive difference to your commuting experience. Ensure your tyres are well inflated to the manufacturer pressure - read on the side of tyres - also, be smart and carry an extra little tool and tubes to change the latter in the unlikely event you have a severe flat tyre. If you don't know how to do it then a bike shop along the way will definitely help you. When possible, always check your bike and all of its major components - group set, brakes, wheels, saddle, handlebar - before your commuting ride. Keep a constant eye on these components and they should not let you down during the trip.
4) Clothing and the Onion factor: remember, nobody likes to enter an office in less than acceptable conditions. You are no exception. With a tiny little step you can achieve this goal all the time, it is easier than you think. Seasonality has its influence indeed but you should be prepared like an onion, capable to drop or add a layer when needed. Cycling clothing is a huge field! These days there is so much available but don't be fooled by high prices and highly technical clothing: all you need is a combination of light, breathable clothing easily visible or reflective or with reflective bands plus, capable of reducing penetration of water and sun through into your skin. Cotton is the number one textile recommended, however while it is perfect for SUN the same it is not for RAIN, thus with rain a combination of cotton with synthetic fibers can result in more comfortable rides. Be very selective in the textile fiber you decide to wear: skin rush and excessive sweat are not nice companions!
Finally, find out ahead of areas within your work place where you can change, shower or store working clothes. These days most public sector and big private employers are definitely providing necessary spaces and facilities for bike commuters. If your company does not, well, be a modern ambassador by proposing the idea for these facilities to be made available for you and your colleagues. Remember, it promotes physical activities, it is very low impact on the environment, it can increase productivity and it is cheaper than feeding petrol to a car everyday. Also, in most situation you save time out of traffic jams!
5) Take a test ride: after ticking point one to 4, try and ride the exact same itinerary when you are relaxed, free from any sort of stress, perhaps during week end. Time yourself and when possible do different test trials. The benefits will be for you to learn as much as possible about your future daily road trips and maximize the info to your own advantage. The more you know, the more comfortable and effective your ride will be.
Finally, find out ahead of areas within your work place where you can change, shower or store working clothes. These days most public sector and big private employers are definitely providing necessary spaces and facilities for bike commuters. If your company does not, well, be a modern ambassador by proposing the idea for these facilities to be made available for you and your colleagues. Remember, it promotes physical activities, it is very low impact on the environment, it can increase productivity and it is cheaper than feeding petrol to a car everyday. Also, in most situation you save time out of traffic jams!
6) Secure & safe parking for your bike: nobody enjoys to realize their bike is gone when it is time to go home. Your lock strength and the way you lock your toy is important, however it is indeed more important the location you leave your bike at. If the place is safe and secure, with people walking through and perhaps with CCVT available, then this is already a great advantage on your side. A good lock and a proper locking procedure (check photo provided above) would do the rest.
