Feature article • • •

Bicycle Commuting Made Easy

Seven simple steps to energy-efficient transportation.

By Neal Lurie

Lurie is a daily bicycle commuter. Photo by Brooke Simmons, SOLAR TODAY

As interest in climate change moves from awareness to action, more households are taking a fresh look at bicycling as a form of transportation. It’s a good place to begin. The transportation sector contributes nearly one-third of CO2 emissions in the United States. But even if you aren’t ready to sell your car — which could save you $7,823 a year, according to the AAA — bicycle commuting can be a powerful way to reduce your carbon footprint.

If you’re curious about bicycling to work but don’t know where to begin, here are some real-world, rider-tested tips that can make your commutes enjoyable. Millions of workers have found that bicycling to work is a great way to reduce your energy consumption while recharging your personal batteries. Here’s how to get started.

1. Assess Your Trip
When thinking about bicycling to work, the first step is to estimate how far away you work and whether it makes sense to ride in your work clothes.
• Short commutes (under 4 miles, or 6.4 kilometers, each way). Nearly any bike will do. Unless it’s very hilly or hot, sweating probably isn’t a major concern. You may find it easiest to simply bike in the same clothes you wear at work.
• Moderate commutes (5–9 miles, or 8–14.5 kilometers, each way). Use relatively skinny road tires to reduce rolling friction. Knobby mountain bike tire treads will slow you down. Consider a change of clothes once you get to work.
• Longer commutes (more than 10 miles, or 16 kilometers, each way). Get a dependable road bike and plan on a change of clothes once you get to work.

Top Mistakes New Bicycle Commuters Make: • Trying to carry too much. • Not planning where to park the bike. • Not testing the route before the first commute. • Forgetting to bring your workplace ID and getting locked out of your office. • Not checking the weather forecast. • Forgetting to pump the tires. • Not having a backup plan. Is there someone you could call in an emergency? • Leaving just before sunrise and forgetting your sunglasses.

Consider the bike-n-bus commute, where you cycle to the transit stop, ride a bus or train, and then cycle the final leg to work. A lot of rapid transit systems now offer bike racks on buses and lockers in stations. Where there are restrictions on taking a bike on the train during rush hours, a folding bike can be a practical solution. The bike-n-bus strategy eliminates parking costs and can shorten a long commute. It’s also the solution where bike lanes aren’t available through tunnels. Most bridges nowadays do offer bike lanes, but there are exceptions — for instance, three of the San Francisco Bay bridges offer bus shuttles instead of bike lanes.

Another tactic is to drive part way to work, perhaps to a park-and-ride station, and cycle the rest of the way.

2. Get Fit (Without Exercising)
Just because your feet reach the pedals doesn’t mean your bicycle fits you correctly. If you haven’t been to a good bike shop lately, it’s time.
• Ask your local bike shop guru to evaluate how your bike fits. You’ll be amazed how a half-centimeter adjustment can significantly increase your comfort and pedaling power.
• Get a tune-up. Don’t let soft tires, draggy brakes or slipping gears rob your energy.

3. Get the Bike Basics
While it is easy to get carried away when equipping your bike, here are the bare-bones essentials that most bike commuters find helpful. These are widely available at any good bike shop.
• Pant leg band. Keeps your pants cuff away from a grimy chain.
• Red blinking tail light. Be seen for safety.
• Full fenders. Protect your clothes when you ride on wet pavement (a necessity if you’re riding in work clothes). Choose fenders that cover as much of your tires as possible.
• Bike pump. Properly inflated tires are safer and easier to ride on.
• Bike lock. Safeguard your bike. If rules permit, bring the bike out of the weather and park it in your office or break room.

4. Stay Warm the Easy Way
The thermometer can’t measure warmth as well as your ears, fingers, and toes can. Here are some springtime clothing tips to keep you warm and comfortable on the ride.
• A thin winter hat under your bike helmet can keep you remarkably warm.
• Full-finger bike gloves offer good warmth on cool mornings when winter gloves would overheat your hands.
• Always carry a windbreaker or rain jacket. You never know when you’ll need it. Breathable fabrics help prevent overheating, and brighter colors help motorists to see and avoid you.
• Rain pants make a good extra layer in cold or wet weather.
• Over-the-shoe booties can keep your toes warm on a cold or wet morning. Save money by simply placing a small plastic sandwich bag around your toes just before sliding your feet into your shoes. That keeps socks dry and toes warm.

5. Plan Your Route
The route you drive to work may not be the best one for bicycling. The ideal road for bicycling has a wide shoulder or bike lane, light traffic and lower speed limits for autos.
• Get good route ideas from a neighborhood street map, from co-workers who commute by bike or from bike shop staff members. Many cities publish bike route maps.
• Drive your proposed route to assess mileage and to see if it still makes sense.
• Go on a test ride of your route by bicycling it during the weekend before you plan your first real commute. This is a must-do activity for any new bike commuter.

6. Get It Off Your Back
An experienced bike commuter plans ahead rather than carrying extra items. Why not enjoy your bike ride rather than feel like a pack mule? You can always change your clothes in the office restroom.
• Drop a change of clothes and shoes at work the day before you ride in.
• Keep a few basic toiletries at work including deodorant, sunscreen for the ride home, a small towel or cleaning wipes.
• Consider bringing an extra lunch to leave at work the day before.
• Leave your bike lock at work so it’s there when you need it. Better yet, bring your bike inside. The bike in your office may entice co-workers to make the ride.

7. Get Going!
Bypass the gas station and avoid the traffic jams. It’s time to give bike commuting a try.
• Listen to the weather report to make sure there aren’t any surprises in the forecast.
• Bring only the essentials: keys, wallet, water bottle and cell phone.
• Try not to smile too much when you get to work feeling great!

Bicycling to work can be contagious. Some people bike to work once a week. Others drop off three days’ worth of clothes on Monday, bike Tuesday through Thursday, and drive on Friday to bring their clothes home. Others bike with co-workers or friends for fun. The key is to get started.

About the author: Neal Lurie is director of marketing and communications at the American Solar Energy Society. An avid bicyclist (he’s a daily bicycle commuter), Lurie led the successful effort to finance a new bikeway between Denver and Boulder, Colo.

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