Quick Tips on Bike Commuting

Outfit Your Bike

  1. Make sure your bike is tuned up. A tuned bike is safer and more enjoyable to ride.
  2. Make sure your bike has a white reflector on front, and a red reflector on back. It is also helpful to have reflectors or reflective tape on your wheels, and on your pedals (any part of the bike that moves a lot when you ride is a good candidate for reflective material -- the movement helps drivers see you.
  3. If you ride at night, install a white headlight, and a red tail light on your bike. Although you tend to get what you pay for, a cheap light is better than none, but isn't your safety worth top dollar?
  4. Get a pump, patch kit, and tire levers to fix a flat. Make sure you know how to do this before you need to!
  5. Consider installing a rack and buying panniers to carry your books and other items. Moving the load off of your back and onto a bike rack makes riding more comfortable and more stable as the center of gravity is lowered. Make sure the panniers you are buying are easy to mount and remove from your bike, as you will need to do this often. Raincovers are a must in most areas, but often are not made well.
  6. Consider installing fenders on your bike. They nearly eliminate the spray your wheels make on wet roads, keeping you drier, cleaner, and more comfortable. Full fenders are more effective than partial ones as they cover more of the wheels.
  7. Consider installing a bar-end mirror on your bike to help you see traffic. Cyclists often have a tendency to swerve when they look behind them. To minimize swerving, move your chin to your shoulder instead of moving your whole torso.

Outfit Yourself

  1. Always wear a helmet that is either SNELL, ANSI or ASTM certified. Make sure the helmet fits you well and that the straps are snug enough to keep the helmet on you in a crash (with the helmet on and straps buckled, try to push the helmet off from the front and the sides. If the helmet moves significantly, the straps are not tight enough. Although it may be frustrating to get the straps adjusted correctly, or the helmet may be a little uncomfortable, its worth it.) Remember: A new helmet is cheaper than a new skull. Check out our downloadable pamphlet on helmet fit information.
  2. Consider getting cycling gloves. They can reduce road vibration, give you a better grip, and will help protect your hands in a crash.
  3. Wear comfortable clothing. Cycling shorts are very comfortable (they reduce friction, especially in the crotch) and may provide some cushioning.
  4. Get raingear for rainy days, or at least, wear something like polypropylene fleece that stays warm when wet and dries out quickly. Cotton is a no-no.

Other Tips

  1. Plan your route before you ride it, and leave a little early the first few times until you get used to how long the ride takes you.
  2. Cyclists are responsible to follow all traffic laws that motorists are, including stopping for lights and signs, and using turning lanes. You will be safest if you follow these laws.
  3. If your commute is sizable, get a waterbottle and drink from it frequently to avoid dehydration.
  4. Dry off your raingear to avoid mildewing.
  5. Click here to see an Acrobat (PDF) file of a more in-depth commute guide.

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