Very key piece of meta-advice:<p><i>The secret to persist with commuting on the bike is to remove friction as much as possible. </i><p>Lots of greats suggestions here. I would add a few more points. For me the biggest thing making me pick my car in the morning was thinking "But what if I want to...." Over time I chipped away at the "what ifs" by figuring out how to secure my bike, where I could get coffee before work and a beer after, where to pick up groceries on the way home, and how I could freshen up at work if I needed to. So:<p>- Keep a stash of wet wipes (the big ones made for camping), deodorant, and a fresh shirt at work in case you have an unexpectedly hot day or an unexpected 9am meeting with a client.
- Learn how to secure your bike, and always carry your lock(s). Then you'll always be able to grab some groceries or have a drink with someone after work.
- Get familiar with the amenities that matter to you on or close to your route. If you're a coffee fiend and run out of coffee in the morning, you'll want to make a detour.
- Buy a bigger bag than you strictly need. Riding with a half-empty bag in the morning is the only way you have the freedom to buy groceries or dinner on the way home.
A couple things to add about lights at night:<p>1. Don't use a blinking light (front or rear) as your sole light. A blinking light is bad for driver depth perception, they'll be able to see that you're there somewhere, but it will be hard for them to localize exactly where you are and how far away you are - use at least one steady light.<p>2. At night, more lumens is not always better. You may think that when it comes to lights, brighter is better, but you really don't need that 1000+ lumen light in the front or that "Can be seen for 5 miles" eye searing taillight for most road riding.<p>Most bike lights have terrible beam patterns -- sending as much light above the road and into driver's eyes as they do down at the road where you need it. So while <i>you</i> may be able to see, you're blinding everyone else. And because this pattern lights up the road just in front of you more than farther away, you're making it harder to see people and objects farther away.<p>I <i>highly</i> recommend an StVZO approved (German bike regulation) head light -- it will have a beam pattern with a sharp cutoff so you can illuminate the road without blinding other riders and drivers. Busch and Muller makes some great lights with this beam pattern.<p>In the daytime, however, feel free to go with bright and flashing.
Mostly good tips for someone considering cycle commuting, but I'm disappointed in the "Dress for the Occasion" section. It's easy to ride in jeans and a t-shirt, there is no <i>need</i> for special bike clothes. I've seen this as a barrier to entry so many times in the U.S. Just check out a city like Copenhagen and count how many cyclist are wearing full kit (almost none).<p>There is some extra comfort in wearing bike specific clothing on longer rides, but don't let that prevent you from getting started.
The whole no shower aspect isn't practical if you're riding for an hour plus and climbing like OP does. There's no way to avoid showing up a sweaty mess and baby wipes just won't cut it.<p>Does anyone have recommendations for bike pants that aren't cycling pants? I only have a ~25 minute ride to work that's pretty simple and urban, but I've ruined several pairs of pants with even mundane, simple cycling. I don't want to buy a bike jersey and spandex... so pants that I could also wear at work would be a welcome recommendation!
Wear fully covering gloves no matter what. Even in summer.<p>Because if you have a bad accident they can keep your hands safe.<p>I was knocked off my bike a few years back. Car pulled out at a junction in front of me.<p>I went head first into the car but put my hands out to cushion the blow.<p>Anyway, after the impact, i took my gloves off and the tip of one finger was hanging off. The impact had opened my fingertip and cracked the bone.<p>The paramedics who came to treated me told me the gloves had probably saved my hand and finger. They'd lessened the severity of the impact of my hand into the car.<p>The paramedics also told me the gloves had stopped the open wound getting filled the dirt and debris.<p>I had to have an operation to clean the wound and re-attach my fingertip. The surgeon said the process was much simpler because the wound was fairly clean due to me wearing gloves. And the risk of infection and complication should be less too due to the wound being cleaner. The finger healed without any problems (although I do have some scarring on it to this day).<p>If you're unlucky enough to have a biking accident you will instinctively put your hands out to shield your head and body. Make sure your hand are covered fully as it might save them.<p>I'll never ever ride a bike without them no matter what. Even if my hands are sweating buckets due to the summer heat. It's not worth the risk.
I've bike-commuted in LA and London, various Chinese cities, and Sydney and cycle toured in many more countries. I would say skip the bike computer - it just adds theft interest and provides little info a cellphone can't give you ahead of time or after, which is safer than reducing focus on the road. Also I would say figure out what you enjoy and get it in to your routine, for me it is uphill. Right now I don't have to commute because I put my family home and our new office in the same development, but I cycle up the nearby mountain most mornings anyway! This feeds in to the major selling point not mentioned: if you exercise, your brain is super awake and you are more effective at work! Another point I would make is that cycling is very time efficient and does not require synchronization with others, two very strong points for busy entrepreneurs. Finally, be the envy of your buddies and stay late at the bar to get all the girls: just chuck your bike in the back of a cab and you are suddenly not only the healthy work-hard-party-hard but also the sensitive responsible new age guy. Note: does not work for people who are worried about paint chips and scratches. Worked for me, YMMV :)
I biked for many years in Boston, MA, and the advice to assume that everyone is out to kill you rings true. I've ridden along and between cars, trucks and buses always assuming they can't see me, and never had any accidents. However, what got me multiple times over time is doors opening suddenly on stopped cars (the last time on a car in a traffic lane idling at a red light, opened by an exiting passenger). So if you're riding in those conditions I think you should assume they are out to get you by suddenly opening doors :-)<p>It puts a big damper on bike commuting because it means you need to move very slowly along rows of parked cars, as well as stopped traffic.
Daily Manhattan bike commuter here. You can commute on any bike that rides, but what I find helpful are: Gears, disc brakes, fenders, a rack, pannier, lights, and suitable clothing for cold or rainy weather. My bike came with gears and disc brakes; everything else I've added.<p>Despite my commute being mostly flat, gears are still quite useful in getting started from the frequent stops on my commute. Disc brakes work better than older alternatives and are especially better in rain. Being able to stop quickly when you need to is very important. Everything else should be explanatory.<p>I personally wouldn't get any use out of a bike computer or phone handlebar mount. Seems like an unnecessary complication and annoyance.
As a regular commuter and recreational cyclist in the South Bay, I have to say how impressed I am that he occasionally cycles to work going up route 9. That's a serious climb that takes you up a couple thousand feet over 6ish miles.<p>One of the reasons I love commuting by bike in this part of the country is how flat my route is. I ride in normal gym shorts during the week, but I always break out my bike shorts for a climb like that. I don't think they're necessary in the majority of bike commuting circumstances.
Bicycle commuting is awesome; just remember that vehicle drivers do insane things. Do not assume that a green light by itself means it’s safe to cross. Drivers do insane things. After a while, you get a sixth sense of who is going to do what. You go over things in your head a thousand times that will one day save your life. Like, if that truck pulls out in front of you, do you bounce off his broadside and try to roll out of oncoming traffic, or do you cut right and try to get behind his rear wheel instead of underneath it. A few days ago I was waiting to cross a street and two cars blew through a red light at the same time, one of them turned left, and the other car smashed them head on and sent the car spinning right over to where I had been standing. I got out of the way, ditched the bike, and started pulling people out of the cars, fully expecting an explosion or something gruesome inside. Nothing left of the front end of either car, but airbags are a darn miracle. The worst either of them will have to deal with is a few dollars higher premiums. Moral hazard. Watch out.
I'm a year-round bike commuter in Montreal, which many assume is impossible. There's a great community of cyclists here [1] who post info about ice/snow conditions, road closures, etc.
Some tips I'll add for the winter commuters:<p>1. Get a face mask/balaclava - ideally one you can raise and lower as your face gets hot and then cold again<p>2. Get really good gloves. Your bike will be COLD to grip.<p>3. Wear leggings under your clothes. I commute all winter in just jeans/leggings, but my roommate adds a splash guard too. My jeans aren't as clean as his<p>4. Layers that you can zip/button. You'd be surprised how hot and sweaty you can get while riding in the winter<p>5. Grease any parts on your bike that you don't want to seize -- this includes all nuts/bolts on the brakes and derailleurs, the cables where they enter the housing, the brake/shift levers themselves...<p>6. Ideally you have at least somewhere indoors that you can clean your bike well every so often (a location where it's ok to track tons of grimy snow). If not, still clean it/re-lube pretty much weekly<p>7. Practice slipping/drifting -- this advice follows for anyone who drives in the winter too. you should know how to handle a vehicle when you lose traction<p>8. Learn to plan your routes. Some streets will be more clear of snow than others. Some bike paths close in the winter. You need to know all of this<p>9. Know when to walk your bike. I still bring my bike most days, even snowy days! I just walk the bits that I can't ride<p>[1] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/velodhiver/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/groups/velodhiver/</a>
My tip: check all routes options from the standpoint of a <i>pedestrian</i> rather than a vehicle.<p>I used to bike from Sunnyvale to Menlo once or twice a week. My boss at the time tipped me off to some pedestrian-bike bridges that made for great off-peak, quiet routes through neighborhoods.<p>Specific local tips:<p>There are bike bridges over creeks and major roads alike (e.g. over 280 in Cupertino, over 237 near the Shoreline trail, and from San Antonio Road into Palo Alto (behind Sprouts)).<p>A long stretch of Bryant Street in Palo Alto is a dedicated bike route, blocked off from auto through-traffic every few blocks.<p>The only major hassle to cross at street level was Embarcadero.<p>I always brought extra work clothes the day before and always showered upon arrival at work.
Regarding being seen - even if you are lit up like a christmas tree, you should assume no-one can see you, and have an escape plan.<p>Also, a major gripe I've got in the past couple of years is cyclist with super-bright, epilepsy-inducing flashing lights (which are great for on-road use) who ride with said lights at full-blast on off-road shared (pedestrian+bicycle) paths, thus blinding any oncoming cyclists or pedestrians. Car headlines have regulations to prevent them blinding oncoming traffic, but bicycles do not, and the lights have gotten _much_ cheaper and brighter in the past few years. Pity that consideration of other people isn't such a thing...
Any tips/sites for biking in certain areas/cities? I just bought a bike to commute in Boston, but part of me is terrified (I got hit by a car in the suburbs a good 10 years ago). For example, my route is from South Boston to Charlestown and there are definitely some hefty roads to cross to get from point A to point B...and it would be great to know if other people ride a route like that and what roads they take/recommend.
It's nice to see advice for longer commutes, but I am a firm believer that using a consistent route is safer for regular commutes.<p>Familiarity with the route is essential to understanding how to behave (e.g. when to take a lane or when to switch lanes).<p>Since motorists typically take the same route while commuting, you know to watch for them and they know to watch for you.<p>Some routes are also intrinsically safer.
I bike-commute year-round in Oregon, which isn't as bad as it sounds. I used to ride a road bike with thin (25) tires but I wiped out (at low speed) early last year and broke my hip!<p>Now I have a touring bike with disc brakes and wider tires, definitely a good investment. Road bike stays in the garage for weekend rides when it's dry.
I love doing the same route every time. You just get into that zone, and then all of a sudden you're home or at work. Been doing it for 7 years straight, and though I've moved homes and work a few times, necessitating a route change, I've never been bored.
> No bag on your back<p>Just want to reiterate this: a small backpack doesn't seems like it would be problematic, but being free of it really feels like being free. Also, you don't need expensive saddlebags, a bike rack and basket is fine.<p>The car is the natural predator of the bike.