Outfitting a Bicycle for Commuting

Introduction to cycling

While taken seriously as a form of transportation in many countries, the bicycle is regarded as either a toy or a sporting device in the United States of America. It’s okay for children to ride a bicycle, and it is acceptable to use a bike for racing and sometimes fitness. The potential of a bicycle goes far beyond that because it can be used as an economic and earth friendly way to go back and forth to work.

The type of bike to buy for commuting

You have to be careful when selecting a bicycle for practical use. A lot of the common models have wide wires and rugged frames and are really designed more for a trail in the woods rather than for ridding on the road or sidewalk. So make sure you look for one with narrow tires and a longer wheelbase so that it will be easier to pedal on the street. Some bikes are called touring bikes and these may be the best for using as a vehicle for work.

Use a bicycle with public transportation

Suppose you live a little far from the office and you just don’t have the time or the physical capability to pedal that far. You should consider riding the bus for part of the way. Most city bus lines now have racks on them where you can load your bike, and ride for a good part of the way. If the bus goes within a couple miles of your residence and a couple miles near your office, you can really make your commute a lot easier.

Accessories needed for your bicycle

A few accessories will probably help make your bicycle commuting go well. One is extra storage. How are you going to carry your stuff on the bike? There’s a wide variety of options, but the two most common is a backpack that goes on the rider or baskets and bags that mount on the bike itself. Other items you may need include a rear view mirror so you can keep an eye on traffic, a headlight for when the time change makes you ride in the dark, and a turn signal to communicate with motorists, and a bike lock that will secure your bike while not in use.

Check your route options

Your bike is not a car, so the terrain is going to be very important for your ride. You will want to avoid heavy motor vehicle traffic, and hills as much as possible. This means you may take one route to work and another on your way back home.
About the Author

Dominic writes for his blog at Thule Bike Rack where he reviews bike equipment and talks about the Thule Bike Racks