Riding your bicycle to work is a brilliant choice for a lot of reasons. It’s a nice way to include movement and exercise into your day without losing too much time seeing as you need to be transporting yourself to work anyways. It can save you a lot of money, especially if public transit or gas is expensive where you live. It also reduces your impact on the environment in both a local and worldwide sense. This being said, cycling to work can seem a little hectic if you don’t put in the effort to prepare yourself a little. The following will explore a few simple things you can do to improve your cycling to work experience.
Revisit The Rules Of The Road
You might have taken your written driver’s test years ago or not at all, but even if you took it recently, you might want to brush up on the rules of the road. Did you know that cyclists are expected to signal when turning using their arms? Do you know what those signals are? Do you understand your city’s regulations on bike paths and where you’re allowed to be if there aren’t any designated biking areas? Believe it or not, bikers can get tickets just like vehicle drivers can, so it’s a good idea to ensure you’ve got an up-to-date understanding of what the rules of the road are in your area. Not only will this keep you out of trouble, but it will also make your drive smoother as you’ll be more confident when dealing with whatever arises.
Consider Going Electric
If you’ve got a long way to go or aren’t liking the idea of arriving at work breathless and sweaty, you might want to consider an electric bike. It’s relatively easy to find electric bike kits to get you started. Be sure you are aware of your bike’s battery limitations and be prepared to charge at work if that’s needed. As well, just like with standard bikes, it’s a good idea to look up the regulations in your area regarding when, where, and in what ways electric bikes are accepted. This varies from city to city.
Be Aware Of The Weather
It’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking the weather every day as this will let you know if you need to bring weather-appropriate clothing. It’s often colder when biking than walking, but at the same time, if it’s really warm or if the path you’re taking is tough, you might end up getting a lot warmer than someone who’s walking. Bring light layers and a change of clothes if you think that might be needed. If you have elements of your wardrobe that flail as you bike, like scarves or ties, it’s a good idea to remove them while biking or to ensure they are appropriately tucked in.
Wear A Helmet
This one should go without saying, but often it doesn’t. Wearing a helmet can save your life. If that’s not enough of a consideration, please note that if there were some sort of accident where you got injured, you might be entitled to less compensation if you weren’t wearing a helmet than if you were.
Enjoy The Health Benefits
All too often, when someone incorporates something beneficial into their daily life, they don’t celebrate the win that it is. Some studies have found that cycling to work reduces your risk of dying from all causes by 41%. There are additional reductions in risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease. These are some pretty spectacular benefits, and they’re well worth celebrating. Consider treating yourself after you’ve cycled to work fifteen days, twenty-one days, fifty days, etc.
Stay Hydrated
Cycling requires effort. Often it also means that you’re in direct sunlight. Be sure to bring water with you and keep yourself hydrated. You will need more water than you typically do throughout your day.
Waterproof And Protect Baggage
If you’re bringing stuff with you to work like your presentation, contracts, notes, laptop, or other items, it’s a good idea to find yourself a decent waterproof bag that will keep these things safe on your bike ride. You might also need to purchase folders or binders if you want to ensure that papers don’t get crumpled up inside your bag.
The above tips should help you make the most of your decision to cycle to work. Of course, it’s important to understand your limits and not push yourself too hard when you’re first starting out. Likewise, don’t force yourself to bike in atrocious weather. You might get sick or have an increased chance of an accident if it’s wet, cold, or there’s low visibility.
