Ask the Experts: How Can I Successfully Commute by Bike?

The daily commute can be a daily grind. What if you could commute and get a workout in at the same time? You can if you take on the task of commuting by bicycle. Whether you’re established in your current neighborhood or searching for a new home, you should always consider your location in relationship to your work in addition to your preferred mode of transportation. Especially in regions where the weather is nice the whole year through, you’ll want to check on your options for commuting by bike. Below, you’ll find some tips that can make commuting to work by bicycle from your home a bit easier.

Plan Ahead
Depending on weather conditions, you’ll need to plan ahead. If you have a longer commute, you’ll most likely need to bring a change of clothes to work. You don’t want to spend an entire day at the office in sweaty, smelly clothes. If you need to dress professionally, you should plan to bring clothing that won’t wrinkle easily. Also keep some items to help you freshen up in your work bag including deodorant and wipes. As temperatures get warmer throughout the year, this will become ever important. If the weather looks like it might rain, you might want to bring additional gear or just skip the commute by bike altogether on those days. You can even store some spare clothing or toiletries in your desk in case you forget to pack something one day.

Have A Space To Keep Your Bike
Both at home and at work, you’ll need to find a spot to keep your bike. It’s important to find a place where the bike will be secure and is able to be locked down. Depending upon the type of area you work in, you’d hate to ride to work on your bike only to find out that when you’re ready to return home your bike has been stolen. Your bicycle should also have a convenient location where you can store it around your home as well.

Keep In Mind That You Still Could Encounter Problems
Even though you’re riding a bike and not driving a car, you can still encounter problems on your ride to and from work. Hit one bump the wrong way and you’ll end up with a flat tire. This means that you’ll need to have a kit ready in case of any kind of issues that you encounter during your commute. Keep this commuter kit with your work things so that you don’t need to worry about where the spare tubes and bicycle pump are.

When you choose a commuter friendly neighborhood, you’ll be surprised at how much fun and how easy commuting to and from work by bicycle can be. Just heed some convenience and safety tips and you’ll be well on your way to a good workout to and from work.

About Karen Scopetski

Karen Scopetski has been in the business of helping people buy and sell their homes for over 25 years. A self-professed “straight shooter”, she is committed to serving her community with honesty and integrity—and providing service that exceeds her clients’ expectations.