Bike commuting not only helps the environment and saves gas money, but it can also help you stay fit, healthy, and burn extra calories. To help you make your daily bike commute better, here are a helpful number of tips.
Take More Time Than You Need
A lot of people complain of always having to rush to get to work/university on time if they ride a bike. Moreover, consider the fact that if you ride to work, you may get hot and sweaty.
The best way to avoid this is to leave with plenty of time so you don’t have to rush. Most riders can get to work with ease if they plan their route ahead and make sure they have enough time to deal with congestion, traffic lights, and other obstacles that may cause delays along the way.
Wear the Right Clothes
It is important for you to consider proper biking clothes for your commute. Using materials such as polyester or any other synthetic fabric can help you wick the sweat away from your skin and keep you fresh. Cotton is also a good alternative, however, if cotton gets wet, it will remain wet for a long time. If you want to look your best, you can always wear something different to work and then change to your nicer clothes.
Organize Your Items
It’s important to be more organized if you want your bike commuting to go smoothly. For this reason, it is important for you to make a habit of organizing your stuff prior to when you plan on riding your bike.
Make sure your bike is ready, your items are packed, and you have everything you need ready to leave your house at a moment’s notice.
It is also important for you to set up a USB charging station if you use rechargeable bike lights and other battery-driven gadgets and make sure you always have your nighttime safety gear fully charged and in working order.
Some riders make a checklist of every task they need to do and items they need to pack, to ensure nothing is forgotten, and all necessary elements are taken care of.
Check the Weather
Your phone is one of the most valuable tools for cyclists. Make sure you download a reliable weather forecast app and check it the night before your ride and just a couple of minutes before you go out of your door. This will ensure that you don’t leave the house without the right attire. Even if it’s sunny out, it could rain later, and you don’t want to be without your rain gear, if you happen to need it.
However, you need to understand that no matter how accurate the app is, one day, you will end up soaking wet or stuck under a building waiting for the rain to stop. For this reason, it is import for you to consider water-proof cycling gear
Set Up a Contingency Plan.
It is important for you to plan in advance in case you come across any issues that prevent you from completing your commute on a bicycle. Make sure you carry a bike lock in case you need to leave your bike somewhere differently. Pack water and snacks in case you get stuck somewhere. Have some cash in case you need to use public transport as an alternative. And more importantly, charge your phone before leaving your house. Remember, your phone is one of the most valuable tools for cyclists. You can make emergency calls, request an Uber, and search for video tutorials to fix your bike on the road.
Get to Know Your Route.
This is particularly important for new bike commuters. Consider using a trip planner app like Google maps to understand your route beforehand. This app is also important because it allows you to get notifications in case of road work, accidents, or other obstacles along your route.
It is also a good idea to do a test run of your route so you can get familiarised with the terrain, traffic lights, and more. This is particularly important if you are going to commute during the night.
Prepare For Flats
The best thing you can do to ward off flat tires is to carry a flat tire kit and pump with you at all times. And if you do not know how to use a flat tire kit, here is a great tutorial video:
Commuting to work is a great way to stay healthy, relax, and prepare for a new day at work/university. Consider these tips to make sure you enjoy as much as possible of your ride to and from your commuter destinations.
