Asking for work
#2
You should learn and understand local bicycle laws before venturing out, for sure.
As for parking, mostly depends on your employer. Don't think I would ride to work if I could not bring my bike inside.
If you know the law and you have a secure place to park, then yes, ride to work.
As for parking, mostly depends on your employer. Don't think I would ride to work if I could not bring my bike inside.
If you know the law and you have a secure place to park, then yes, ride to work.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 531
Likes: 60
From: Williston FL
Bikes: 1988 Panasonic, 1989 Fuji, Schwinn Beach Cruiser
Learn the laws and where to park. You will not regret it. Make sure to plan your route and think about how you will carry stuff. I have been commuting steady for a year and a half, and about 4 off and on before that. I prefer my bike to my truck anymore.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 917
Likes: 84
From: NE Tennessee
Bikes: Giant TCR/Surly Karate Monkey/Foundry FireTower/Curtlo Tandem
I am curious about what bicycle laws would even come into play other than not riding on roads that are marked for no bicycles such as interstates. Other than that I think that you can ride anywhere that is prudent and safe. Heavily traveled roads with no shoulder are really risky.
When you do drive to work, look at the routes that you take to see how wide the lanes and shoulder are. Or if there are even bike lanes.
The facility where I work is monitored 24x7 so I don't have to worry about locking my bike up. They also have lockers and a shower which is helpful as I leave a full compliment of clothes in a pair of lockers.
The direct route from my house to work is about 4.5 miles. That is barely a warm up so I have a route that ends up giving me 16.5 miles. I can cover it in 45 to 50 minutes. It is a great feeling to ride in, get cleaned up and go to work knowing that I've already ridden more in one morning than many people will all week. It also gives me 150 mile weeks.
When you do drive to work, look at the routes that you take to see how wide the lanes and shoulder are. Or if there are even bike lanes.
The facility where I work is monitored 24x7 so I don't have to worry about locking my bike up. They also have lockers and a shower which is helpful as I leave a full compliment of clothes in a pair of lockers.
The direct route from my house to work is about 4.5 miles. That is barely a warm up so I have a route that ends up giving me 16.5 miles. I can cover it in 45 to 50 minutes. It is a great feeling to ride in, get cleaned up and go to work knowing that I've already ridden more in one morning than many people will all week. It also gives me 150 mile weeks.
#6
I am curious about what bicycle laws would even come into play other than not riding on roads that are marked for no bicycles such as interstates. Other than that I think that you can ride anywhere that is prudent and safe. Heavily traveled roads with no shoulder are really risky.
Come ride in a major U.S. city with lots of traffic and no shoulders. I'll bet it's not nearly as bad as you imagine it is.
P.S. West of the Mississippi, it's legal to ride on many Interstate Highways. I've ridden on I-90 in MT (various stretches) and SD, I-94 in ND, I-80 in WY and I-84 in OR. Every inch of Interstate Highway in MT is bike-legal. Sometimes they are the only through roads between two points. Take a look at I-15 in Melrose, MT:
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.6360...7i13312!8i6656
Last edited by indyfabz; 05-08-19 at 06:11 AM.
#7
Palmer

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,151
Likes: 2,262
From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
I've ridden to every job I've had over the last 47 years. Do it.
Arlington Texas allows (but doesn't recommend) riding on sidewalks and does not require (but does recommend) helmets for riders over 18 y.o.
You'll need to assess your personal situation and adequately secure your bike while you're at work.
How to lock your bike (properly!) | The Best Bike Lock
If you give us rough starting and ending points of your commute we might be able to suggest a (relatively safer) route.
Fun fact: Arlington Texas is the USA's largest city without any public transportation system.
Arlington Texas allows (but doesn't recommend) riding on sidewalks and does not require (but does recommend) helmets for riders over 18 y.o.
You'll need to assess your personal situation and adequately secure your bike while you're at work.
How to lock your bike (properly!) | The Best Bike Lock
If you give us rough starting and ending points of your commute we might be able to suggest a (relatively safer) route.
Fun fact: Arlington Texas is the USA's largest city without any public transportation system.
#8
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,447
Likes: 4,541
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
in my area, bikes are common & drivers are nice to us. do you have any other bike commuters in your area? how are they perceived by ppl you know?
#9
well hello there

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,487
Likes: 388
From: Point Loma, CA
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
#11
LBKA (formerly punkncat)

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,324
Likes: 1,016
From: Jawja
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
Some years back I opted to ride to work, was about 9 miles one way. I found that I was able to get to and from work faster than driving a car. I worked at a small retail establishment that had a warehouse/receiving area in the back that made for easy storage of my bike. I might have considered it differently had I had to lock my bike outside.
I was fairly lucky in that the trade I dealt with was construction so the lack of a true shower wasn't hampering to me. There were days where I came in pretty hot and sweaty or just downright messy after bad weather. I made sure to arrive around 30 minutes early just to give myself time to cool down and resume normal breathing, etc. It was also a really good idea to stage a change of clothes at work such that when the weather turned bad you had something clean and dry to change into. The backpack/duffel I used at that time was not weather proof.
All in all mine was a mostly positive experience. I did have one self inflicted injury due to shooting a bird at a passing redneck....
I was fairly lucky in that the trade I dealt with was construction so the lack of a true shower wasn't hampering to me. There were days where I came in pretty hot and sweaty or just downright messy after bad weather. I made sure to arrive around 30 minutes early just to give myself time to cool down and resume normal breathing, etc. It was also a really good idea to stage a change of clothes at work such that when the weather turned bad you had something clean and dry to change into. The backpack/duffel I used at that time was not weather proof.
All in all mine was a mostly positive experience. I did have one self inflicted injury due to shooting a bird at a passing redneck....
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,684
Likes: 2,602
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Yes, you should ride your bike to work. It's good for you, good for your wallet, good for your community and the environment overall.
Try riding to your workplace on a weekend. Look for back streets, bike paths, even sidewalk cut throughs between cul-de-sacs to find a route that's easy and won't scare you when there's a rush hour's worth of traffic on it.
Try riding to your workplace on a weekend. Look for back streets, bike paths, even sidewalk cut throughs between cul-de-sacs to find a route that's easy and won't scare you when there's a rush hour's worth of traffic on it.
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