Tips for Commuting by Bike

Good Shoes are essential for commuting, make sure you don’t lose them

In a previous post, I looked at factors which determine the % of journeys made by bike in a city.

These are tips for commuting, I have learnt from the past 10 years.

Don’t Worry. Cycling is perceived as a dangerous activity. However, in practice it is less dangerous than people may fear. The slight chance of being involved in serious injury, should be set against the health benefits of moderate exercise.

Enjoy It! Cycling can be difficult, bad driving, cold weather e.t.c. But, it can also be good fun. Driving into city centres at peak times stuck in traffic jams is pretty joyless; cycling gives you greater freedom. see: How to enjoy cycling

Do Wait At Lights. Many people cycling have a tremendous impatience to wait at a traffic light. Therefore, they will ride through lights often causing traffic to have to stop when they have the right of way. I see this everyday in Oxford. However, you will not enjoy commuting if you ride dangerously and inconsiderately. You will always be worrying and have nervous tension. If you change your attitude and accept waiting at lights, not riding on pavements, is the right thing to do, you will enjoy commuting alot more. Just set off 2 minutes earlier and give yourself time. Of course, you also won’t be breaking the law and putting your life at danger, see these as bonus benefits.

Panniers / Basket It is not pleasant to cycle with a heavy rucksack. It also makes it difficult to look over your shoulder. If you get a good basket and / or panniers you will be able to carry your shopping and increase the usefulness of your bike.

Practise Basic Maneouvres.

There are certain maneouvres which are important for defensive cycling. One important move is the ability to look over your right shoulder before turning right. If you can do moves like this you will have more confidence and be a better cyclist.

Anticipate bad Driving

Never expect other road users to be perfect drivers, you will soon be frustrated. Be careful at junctions and roundabouts where motorists may fail to signal or see cyclists. Cycling requires common sense, and the ability to predict possible dangers.

Avoid Dangerous Manoeuvres.

One of the most dangerous manoeuvres is squeezing along the inside of a heavy goods vehicle. This is quite a common cause of serious accidents as you can easily be invisible to the driver. When they turn left they can drag a cyclist underneath.

• You always have to be careful when cycling on the inside of cars. For example, a car may stop to allow another car to turn right. The cars may easily forget or be unaware a cyclist could be coming on the inside lane.

Puncture Proof Tyres. The best investment for a commuting bike is to buy Armadillo tyres. They are not completely puncture proof. But, since I have ridden them in the past 18 months, the number of punctures has dramatically fallen. The tyres also last for a long time.

Choose Your Route Carefully. The best route by car, may not be the best by bike. Choose a route you will enjoy cycling even if it involves a longer detour around busy road junctions.

You Don’t Have to Dress Like a ‘Cyclist’. There are some benefits of wearing helmets, fluorescent jackets. However, if you don’t want to wear these, you should not feel cycling is not for you. What you need is a good roadworthy bike and lights for when it is dark.

• Although, you don’t need to dress in lycra like a ‘cyclist’, I think it is important to be visible. This is something motorist often claim about cyclists - ‘I didn’t see you’. Therefore, there are definite advantages to being dressed in bright clothes and using lights, even in the fading light of the day.