With people returning to the workplace, the increased traffic on the roads is already visible!
There has never been a better time to make a change, start cycling to work, switch up your daily commute and get into better, healthier habits. Many people dusted off their bikes or invested in new ones during the pandemic, as a safer (and in some cases only) way to make it into work. Use this to your advantage, turn this into a healthy habit for life whether its one day a week or 5 days a week.
Make the switch: 10 tips for new bike to work commuters!
1. Test out your commute.
Try it first at your leisure, decide on the best route for you, taking advantage of parks & cycle lanes. The most direct route may not be your best option, plan the safest route you can and give yourself plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the journey.
2. Be seen.
You don’t have to splash out on a load of new gear when starting out. For daylight commuting, wear bright colours that can easily be seen by motorists. For darker mornings or evenings, wear reflective gear and be sure to have lights on your bike.
3. Buddy up.
Recruit a friend or co-worker to cycle in with you! The more the merrier as they say, certainly it’s a great way to pass the time having a chat with someone on you morning commute but there is also safety in the numbers.
4. How to carry your stuff?
If you are planning on bringing a change of clothes with you or you travel in and out every day with a laptop and other essentials for your job, a backpack or pannier bags on your bike are an essential. Top Tip: Use panniers if you want to avoid a sweaty back!
5. Learn how to change a flat!
If you don’t already know how to then you will need to learn and carry an essential kit with you at all times.
6. Be patient.
Where possible overtake on the driver’s side but if this is not safe then just hang back and wait. Give yourself plenty of time so that you are not in a rush and if you have to pass on the inside of a vehicle (especially a turning bus or truck) watch out for blind spots and just let them go before making your turn.
7. Saddle adjustments.
Ensuring your saddle height is essential not only for comfort but also for injury prevention and performance. If you experience pain to the front of your knees then you saddle is too low, pain behind your knees indicates that the saddle is too high. Make small adjustments till you find your sweet spot!
8. Anti-theft!
Find out what facilities are available for storing or locking your bike at work. If there are no facilities you will need to find somewhere secure close to your place of work that is public and cemented into the ground. Use two locks, one to go around the frame, back wheel and the object you are locking it to, the second to secure your front wheel to the frame.
9. Eyes wide open!
Protect your eyes from flying debris of passing trucks or cars with comfortable eyewear, tinted sunglasses for bright sunny days (with UV protection) and yellow tinted lenses for duller days which will allow you to see contrast better (guarantees better vision with less light!).
10. Have fun!
Cycling is exhilarating, not only does it produce endorphins that will make you feel happier you also benefit from that wonderful feeling of accomplishment. You did it, you made it – now make a habit of it and do it again tomorrow!
