Biking to Work is Easier Than You Think

Ahh, spring is finally here. We could still get a surprise blizzard or two here on the Western Slope, but for the most part, the weather is warming up. Are you thinking about biking to work?

To make sure your commute is both fun and safe, here are a few tips for taking to the streets. You’ll even learn what to do if there’s no shower at the office, because biking certainly works up a sweat!

What to wear while bike commuting

When biking to work, you need to think about what you’ll wear. For people with short commutes wearing their normal work clothes can work quite well. Most shoes with stiff soles work just fine on flat pedals, and it’s not uncommon to see riders wearing boots and even heels. However, shoes are the one concession to cycling “gear” we encourage everyone to make. For safety sake, you need sure footing.

If you have a long morning commute or view your commute as an opportunity to work out, your clothing considerations will be different. You’ll want to wear moisture-wicking clothes that are designed for sweating. If you have a road bike with clipless pedals or toe-clips, you’ll have to wear the appropriate footwear.

No matter what you wear, remember to choose fabrics and colors that are highly visible to motorists.

No shower? No problem!

When biking to work, you’ll always sweat, at least a little. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to freshen up for the workday:

• Do a quick “touch up” with body wipes or towelettes when you get to work.
• A good brushing will combat helmet head and wind-swept hair.
• Get rid of a shiny face by brushing on translucent face powder.
• Give yourself some time to cool down before your first meeting of the day.
• If you bike to work frequently, simplify by keeping your freshening-up tools – hairbrush, wipes, etc. – in a small bag in your desk.
• It never hurts to keep a spare change of clothes at the office, just in case you work up a major sweat or encounter mud on your commute.

Safety tips for biking to work

Before you begin biking to work, brush up on basic bike safety rules:

• Always wear a helmet.
• Wear clothing that’s easily visible to motorists.
• When in doubt, do a test commute on a weekend to get more comfortable with the idea of commuting by bike.
• Find your best route. The best route by car may not be the best by bike. Scout out bike paths and lanes.
• Watch out for parked car doors swinging open into the street.
• Learn how to change a flat tire.

And, most importantly, have fun! Biking is a great way to start and end the workday. The physical activity can help you feel better and less stressed throughout the day. It’s an ideal way to ease into a busy day and wind down after it’s over.