Hi - I'm thinking about riding my hybrid to and from work. Don't usually ride on roads (like the kind that have cars). I live about 8-10 miles away from work. What kind of things should I consider? What's of chief importance?

Chief considerations? Above all else, remember that it is just riding a bike. You've just asked a bunch of addicts about their favorite recreational drug. The responses you'll get will likely make this seem way more complicated than it really is.

Having said that here are the things I would think about:

The primary consideration is obviously safety. Riding a bike on the road is pretty safe, so don't let what I'm about to say scare you. These are just some general tips.

1. Get comfortable riding with traffic. It's unavoidable, and your riding is the most important factor in your safety. You need to ride in a way that is predictable. Follow traffic laws and clearly signal any time you are going to turn, change lanes or even change positions within a lane.

2. Find a safe route. You probably won't want to bike the same route you would drive. Residential streets with minimal/no traffic are preferable even to busier streets with bike-specific infrastructure. An example I like to give is that there's a place on my commute where I can choose between Main Street with a bike lane or Meadow Lane with no bike infrastructure. Meadow Lane is way better. If you have to ride with traffic (and you will) look for roads with a bike lane or at least a wide shoulder.

3. Any place that you don't feel comfortable sharing the lane with a car move to the center of the lane. If you give cars just enough room to squeeze past, they'll do it. You are responsible for your own safety and when you don't think a car can safely pass you you should communicate that by your position in the lane.

4. Don't let yourself think that you know what drivers are going to do. It's a big mistake to think that a driver has seen you and will not cross your path. Ride defensively. Imagine that you are invisible, because it isn't far from the truth. Also remember that it is very common for drivers to misjudge your speed. They tend to behave as if you are moving at the pace of a pedestrian.

5. Be very careful riding past driveways and entrances to parking lots. Avoid roads that go past a lot of strip malls. Drivers go in and out of parking lots without looking for bikes and usually without giving any advance notification of their intentions. Most drivers seem to think a turn signal is used to indicate that they are in the process of turning, not that they plan to turn soon. There's no reason to believe that a car not using a turn signal isn't about to turn.


Apart from safety, be prepared to fix a flat.

Adding to the great advice given so far, if it rains where you are, be prepared with at least a lightweight rain jacket, lights (front and rear) and fenders. They change a ride from potentially dangerous and uncomfortable to tolerable.

Be not afraid, this stuff is easy. Keep warm and dry with layers, and fenders if needed. Carry a tail light bright enough to be seen and a headlight bright enough to see by. Carry whatever you think you need, in whatever container you want, however you want to. Remember the American Autoduelling Association motto: "Drive Offensively"

For a beginner with an 8 mile commute, I'd say:
1. Carry extra clothes. Or if you have place in your office, keep a set of office clothes next time you drive in. You are going to get sweaty, be prepared to clean up and change. If you sit in sweaty clothes for the rest of the day, you will not like it and might even stop cycling.
2. Route selection: look for bike friendly roads (even if they add a little to your commute).
4. Have a backup plan in case of mechanical issues or a flat tire - cab or friend, or just buy a repair kit and see a couple of videos online. A kit will set you back $8 (tire levers and patches) and a portable pump will cost $20 - $30. Its easy enough to do, if you've seen a video and have the right tools.

patch kit tire levers pump and bus fare

Hey! If you have commitments to family, church, or clubs, be sure to account for your time. You are looking at an extra hour each day, probably, compared to a car commute. You are going slower and changing clothes at either end.

I haven't read this yet, but it looks good: A Guide to a Simple Bike Commute | Commute by Bike

Also: Bicycling Street Smarts - Table of Contents

This is biased towards hyper-aggressive vehicular cycling. I think it's really bad advice for new commuters.

I would focus on finding the safest route...look for bike lanes/bike infrastructure and don't feel afraid to bike slowly and cautiously on the sidewalk when things get hairy (as will inevitably happen when you first bike for transport).

Some less-biased sites:

Clothes | Active Transportation Alliance

7 Essential Bike Commuting Tips | Bicycling

That seems like a fair criticism, [MENTION=212987]spare_wheel[/MENTION].

https://disciplecycle.wordpress.com/...ike-commuting/

i wrote these posts and then kind of stopped blogging but I think they are a good starting point.

Try a little road riding when it isn't a work day - even taking your route to work on a slow traffic-less Sunday afternoon. Adding the time and mental pressures of a work day, plus the pressure to be there on time, may not be the best thing if you're new to commuting.

Nice concise reply. FYA, See this thread ,"Describe Your Commute" for some real-life stories. It's organized to cover all the major considerations of cycle commuting.

I strongly agree with [MENTION=90453]tjspiel[/MENTION] that our responses could lead you to overthinking this. And [MENTION=124426]Jim from Boston[/MENTION]'s thread reference is great, too.

Voice your opinion to your politicians in writing regarding bicycle infrastructure regularly.
Cheers,
David in Alaska

If you aren't used to riding on roads with cars, that's OK. You will be soon. But you should look up the traffic laws in your state and locality that pertain to bicycles, so that you know what your rights are and have some idea of what you are legally expected to do in various situations.
If you're unsure or aren't confident about riding in traffic, there may be classes in your area for adults to learn exactly that. The League of American Bicyclists has some programs, and some bike shops (particularly more urban ones) may have classes or know where to direct you.

Most of the details about what to wear, whether you need to change clothes, what to carry and how to carry it, etc, are things you'll figure out as you go. FWIW, for all the discussion of showering and changing, lots of people are perfectly able to bike 8 mi to work and be ready to work when they get there, no changing required. Unless you work in an office with a very high-end dress code or you really sweat a lot, you probably will be fine without changing clothes or with only changing your shirt or something.

But yeah, no need to over-complicate.... in order to ride your bike to work, there are only two things you actually *need*: a bike, and a job located at least ten feet away from your house.

There's a lot more to consider than I anticipated. I think I may leave commuting via bicycle to you guys and continue to drive to work. I'll admit, I don't want to change flats, I don't want to change clothes, and I don't want to arrive at work sweaty.

Thanks to all of you for voicing your opinions and giving me advice! I appreciate this forum precisely because of people like you!

It's not all that much to consider. Flats are, or can be, infrequent. A lot less time than I'd spend stopping for gas when my tank got close to empty on some random day. If you have a spouse and she doesn't work, just call her for a pickup once or twice a year. Or less.

I've done my 10 mile commute with suit and tie, in the middle of GA summer and was fine. How hard we go, whether there's shade, what time of day, that determines sweat or no sweat. We don't have to change clothes unless we want to. I always do, because the four minutes it takes me to change is better than ten minutes slower, but it's a matter of preference and style.

But yes there are bound to be some compromises, and if it's not worth it to you then I wouldn't try to convince you otherwise.

Don't forget that you can also consider it your workout time, during which you would also need to dress out, fix flats, etc.

I'd recommend, try a test ride on the weekend first. If you can. And see how you feel. Also, try a multimodal version. Bike to a bus/train. And use the train to finish your commute.

I am with you on not changing clothing. There is an easy alternative: ride slower. You won't get too sweaty. Just bring a few just in case supplies: baby wipes and deodorant are sufficient.

Ah ... looks like I was more discouraging than helpful. Oh well, live and learn. To the OP: if you're still here, the things I pointed out are pretty minor things, and as some pointed out, very specific to individuals and the route you take.

No, it's really not that complicated. You ask on a forum like this, and of course everyone comes up with all the ways it's complicated because that's what we do.

But it's not complicated. Get on your bike, ride it to work. Lock it up or bring it inside somewhere safe. Ride home afterward. Done. Try it for a day. Or try it for a week. If you don't like it, you don't have to do it again.

If you find yourself doing it a lot, you'll find yourself thinking about all this stuff the same way someone who drives to work every day might think about traffic, cup holders, heated seats, parking spaces, carrying a shovel in the winter, checking tire pressure, gas mileage, what to listen to, whether to remove their jacket when getting into the car so as not to have to wear it for the whole drive, whether to put stuff in the trunk or the back seat, etc. Sounds like a lot to worry about, but it really isn't. For the most part people just get up and get in the car and drive to work and that's that.

Same goes for riding your bike. There's lots to talk about if you feel like it, but all you have to do is walk out the door with a bicycle, sit on bicycle, and ride to work. Done.

Please reread [MENTION=90453]tjspiel[/MENTION]'s spiel. He warned you that we would make it seem too complicated. But you had to ask, huh?