digger

I am seeking the advice of commuters.

I am a CAN-BIKE instructor here in Nova Scotia Canada. CAN-BIKE is similar to Effective Cycling in the USA.

I have been asked to provide a list of the 12 top things that a new bicycle commuter must know/have/do before starting to bicycle to work.

Of course, the obvious are have a bike, a helmet, etc. but what other things would a new bicycle commuter need to know, or have, to start bicycle commuting. I hope to gather your thoughts into a concise list:

Below are some of my thoughts, of course these would be elaborated a bit more.

1) pre-planned route based on your level of experience; consider traffic, hills, etc. Pre-ride route on a weekend to guage time and distance.
2) carrying ability/preference; panniers, basket, knapsack. Pros and cons of each.
3) what you need to carry for work; change of clothes, toiletries, etc
4) where to change at work
5) where to store/lock bike
6) type of lock needed based on security risk at work
7) on road maintenance skills
8) type of surface you will be riding on depends on type of tires needed

Others?

Thanks so much.

Digger

gholt

What tools needed on the bike for road repairs.
How to ride in traffic.
.

Ka_Jun

Multi-tool & how to use it.
Lights.
+1 on how to ride in traffic.

Hobartlemagne 

Check the weather in case the evening conditions are different from in the morning. Bring the right clothes for evening if necessary.

bikinpolitico

Have at least 2 backup plans to get to work if you have a mechanical problem. This is especially important if you are trying to go car-free. My backup is a second bike, bus, carpool with my business partner. (this doesn't include taxi as a final emergency.)

pinkrobe

+eleventy jillion on how to ride in traffic [i.e. take the lane]

bikinpolitico

One other thing. Learn to change a tire.

daredevil

Here's one, if your arrival time is crucial, get in the habit of leaving early to leave time for potential problems. That and carry your cell.

HardyWeinberg

One thing about the weekend shakedown ride, traffic patterns are drastically different on my commute route on the weekend (drivers are much nuttier away from the bumper-to-bumper daily grind), so don't rule a route out based only on how a weekend ride seems to go.

thdave

Take the lane
Use blinkies for rear lights; headlight for front--when dark, dusk, or dawn to help you be seen
Bring cell phone
Multi-tool, spare tube, pump, patch kit

bkbrouwer

Look for routes that keep you off the main roads. I have my route worked out as 90% nieghborhoods. It adds a mile to my route, but I hardly see any cars.

JR97

How to look over your shoulder without vearing into traffic.

evblazer

Bikes? I don't need no stinkin bike!

You could break up 1 into 2 different bullets and mention that the route in many cases will _not_ be the same route you drive. Unless roads are that different in Nova Scotia. I actually kinda like holidays to test ride in. You still get commuter traffic but it is reduced a bit. Weekend traffic can be somewhat misleading. You can also test drive your commute at the time you'll be riding for a few days..

Mirrors. Road awareness.

Understanding of traffic laws and their responsibility to follow them even on a bike (if that is the case).

Temper control in a confrontation. Not to instigate or escalate because a cyclist is at a slight disadvantage vehicle vs vehicle.

digger

True. The volume of traffic may make an intersection or road conidition seem ok on a Sunday, but during the week, can make it radically differant.

I'll keep that in mind and offer the advice, thank you.

Digger

digger

This is true for me also. I drive 25km to the edge of town. Park, take a small trail to get on neighbourhood type roads all the way to work (13km), with some bike trails along the way.

If driving, the whole way I wouldn't take this route (10km). It adds distance, but I avoid traffic.

kk4df

+1 take the lane
+1 lights (and what if these fail: I carry at least 2 battery packs and 2 lights)

fenders
mirror - helmet or bar
rain gear, maybe different types when it's hot and when it's cold outside
some folks like to have a horn

littlewaywelt

1 - visibility = safety, active & passive lighting, a single rear blinkie shouldn't be considered adequate
2 - being assertive in traffic and taking the lane (or part of it) = safety
3 - ride as if no one can see you
4 - passing on the right and riding too close to parked cars invites disaster
5 - maintaining the basic components of the bike is easy and increases safety, drivetrain & brakes
6 - know how to change your tires
7 - remember that safer, less travelled routes don't generally mean a big time loss as compared to major roads
8 - know the local vehicular code and your place in it
9 - arguing with motorists won't solve the problem and may make the situation at hand worse.
10 - general tips on traveling with gear & commuting, leaving gear at the office, shuttling gear, etc.
11 - where to store a bike & locking techniques
12 - know the difference between right hooks and left hooks

JeffS

Did someone secretly move this to the VC forum?

chiefhoser

I'm not meaning to blow open a can of warms, but the following opinion is based on conversations with friends and co-workers.

I agree with your post and the suggestions, however I think the biggest thing that new bike commuters need to be told is: "Don't over think it." I think that by complicating things we potentially scare people away. Bike commuting is not rocket science, but a lot of the posts and advise on this forum (and elsewhere), while very good and information, tend to complicate the issue and make it seem harder than it is.

Bike commuting can be simplified into, get a bike, get a helmet and ride. All else is common sense. Things like spare tubes, multi-tools are good, but for not always necessary for somebody just starting out. Most people who start will be riding within cities or towns where if they run into a problem they can call for help, or walk. So buying all the gear and tools is not necessary right away. And as people get more into it they can build up things.

Similarly with the "how to bike in traffic" issue. This is a real issue with some people, but by giving it more attention than it deserves, we scare people. Biking in traffic is generally, not a problem. Granted that some roads/areas are problematic, but this is where common sense comes into play.

Again, I'm not meaning to disagree with you, for the most part I agree with the suggestions that I've read so far. However, I believe that simplifying the issue is of prime importance.

tjspiel

I think there's also some etiquette with respect to other cyclists that's important. For example, yelling "on your left" if you intend to pass someone. If you're riding on a MUP or in a bike lane you should be conscious of the fact that someone maybe riding behind you before you suddenly stop or veer one direction or another.

Some discussion of clothing might be appropriate although this gets very contentious. I think the most important thing is letting people know that cotton retains moisture which isn't what you want if you're going to be sweating at all or getting rained on.

Bike fit is another huge area that people have difficulty getting right on their own without some guidance. A seat that's too low could cause knee problems for example.

Perhaps a discussion of the different types of bikes available and their pros and cons for various types of commutes might be useful, but again contentious.

evblazer

Respect for all other road/path users?
*hide*

threeflys

+1000 on correct light setup for the conditions, stress that this not a place to "cheap out".

Clothing- not only the right stuff for the weather, but also for visibility. Black my be cool for a Harley rider, but is not that well seen on a bike!

Stress riding according to the vehicle/bicycle code as it is in Nova Scotia. (Halifax is beautiful BTW!)

Chris

threeflys

I do believe someone famous (Voltaire?) once said "Common Sense is not so common"

I believe it varies for everyone and sometimes when you're going over the simplest thing someone will have an "Ah Ha" moment.

tjspiel

I think there's some truth to this. You don't want to make it too complicated. On the other hand, I think there are some common fears and/or questions that people have about bike commuting that if addressed might make it easier for them. The OP addressed some of them.

Picking/finding a "safe" route is probably a big one.
What to do with the bike once you get to work is probably another
And finally, how to get to work in presentable fashion (dressed appropriately, showered, etc.)

tjspiel

I don't think it would be inappropriate to mention BF for anyone who has further questions