Okay, we’ve made it to May it’s now Bike Month, at least according the League of American Bicyclists (née Wheelmen).
They’ve got some good rebuttals for those excuses for not bike commuting, not that I need any convincing anymore. Here they are:
Overcoming Bike Commuting Excuses
- I’m out of shape
- Ride at an easy pace; In a few months you will be in great shape
- Ride your route on a weekend to find the easiest way to work
- You will improve your fitness level when you become a regular bike commuter
My experience has been excellent. When I first started riding again a little less than a year ago I was somewhere around 300 pounds and out of shape. The first couple of days on the bike, riding less than 3 miles, was …um… painful. Today I could probably ride an easy 50 miles without trouble, routinely ride 15-20 a day, ride every day, and now weigh about 240; still too big, but still headed down.
- It takes too long
- The average commuter travels at 10 mph; the more you ride, the faster you will get
- Trips of less than three miles will be quicker by bike
- Trips of five to seven miles in urban areas may take the same time or less as by car
From my place in Makiki I’m about 20 minutes from anything. I can get downtown in under 20 minutes, the university area in under 20 minutes, Waikiki in under 20 minutes. Admittedly going from one end of town to the other might take a wee bit longer, but for the most part it’s 20 minutes or less.
- Try riding to work and taking mass transit home, then alternating the next day
- Combine riding and mass transit to shorten your commute
- Ride to a coworker’s house and carpool to work
I live a mile from work. My challenge isn’t the distance – except in reverse. I have to keep adding distance to make it worthwhile. I’ve been known to take a 10 mile loop when 1 would do.
- Look around for a storage area in your building or office
- Stash your bike in a covered, secure place such as a closet or even your office
- Formally request that your employer provide bike parking or lock it up outside
I’ve had no trouble. My employer has a locked area for bikes, my home is reasonably safe, and there are bike racks around town pretty much anywhere you’d care to park. The big problem is that while they are well placed, they are also well used.
- Tell a reputable bike shop that you are commuting and have them tune up your bike
- If you can’t maintain your bike yourself, identify bike shops near your route
- Make sure that your bike is reliable and in good working order before you start riding
So’s mine – from riding. It’s a continual battle and I’m learning more and more about keeping it shape myself.
- Most commuters don’t shower at work; ride at an easy pace to stay cool and dry
- Ride home at a fast pace if you want a workout; shower when you get there
- Health clubs offer showers; get a discounted membership for showers only
I could shower at work if I had to do so, but frankly, I get here early enough in the morning that I don’t break a sweat. Besides I don’t have far to go and I save the “distance” for going home.
- Keep multiple sets of clothing at work; rotate them on days you drive
- Have work clothes cleaned at nearby laundromats or dry cleaners
- Pack clothes with you and change at work; try rolling clothes instead of folding
I’m lucky on this one. My job is pretty casual, no suits required, so I’m safe with casual pants and a collared shirt. I can wear black athletic walking shoes which work well on my bike.
- Fenders for your bike and raingear for your body will keep you dry
- If you are at work, take transit or carpool to get home; ride home the next day
- Take transit or drive if you don’t have the gear to ride comfortably in the rain
Fenders are critical, but so is realizing I live in Hawaii and it’s going to rain and then it’s going to stop. I’ve gotten soaked and dried out by the time I got home more than once.
- Obey traffic signs, ride on the right, signal turns, stop at lights, wear bright clothing
- You are at no greater risk than driving a car
- Wear a helmet every time you ride
Ride sanely and they are okay. I’ve got just a couple of spots I’m not happy about riding, but oddly enough, I’ve discovered that by simply riding in the lane in those places I’m left alone and have no problems.
- Bolt a rack to the back of your bike to add carrying capacity
- Make sure that you have a lock to secure your bike while you are in a building
- Allow yourself extra time to get to scheduled appointments and find parking
Racks and bags. I’ve actually got two different racks on my bike. The first is a normal rack that can take panniers – I love my cheap Nashbar shopping bags. The second is rack attached to my seat post. I needed that because my truly oversized saddlebag from Rivendell Bicycle Works, a large Sackville (serial #2!), requires it. Having said that I don’t notice the extra weight (did you read about my own weight above) and have discovered I can carry most anything.