Top 10 tips for new cycle commuters
As daylight saving arrives this weekend, we enter the BEST time of the year for people to try cycle commuting.
Mornings are still relatively cool, which means you can still arrive at work fairly fresh. PLUS, as a bonus, the extra light at the end of the day means you shouldn't need to worry about lights or riding home in the dark.
Many people still find the idea of cycle commuting daunting, particularly in cities such as Sydney which topographically and logistically are not well set up for cycling.
But I firmly believe that for many people it would just take a few positive experiences, and a willingness to give it a go, for them to find the joy, freedom, healthy lifestyle, green credentials and endorphin rush that comes with cycling commuting.
You do not have to become obsessed! Some people are quite happy to cycle commute once or twice a week. If everyone did that, our roads would still be less clogged and safer for all. Plus, you'll be getting a gentle workout to and from work.
Here are my top 10 crazy tips, primarily for those who aren't too sure about giving it a go. For yourself and for our environment, at least try it twice, and let me know how you go!
Top 10 tips
1. Don't wear lycra
In countries where cycle commuting is commonplace, people wear all sorts of stuff on bikes: suits, dresses, ordinary clothes. This idea that you have to be some sort of lycra-loving superfit athlete in order to choose to ride a bike to work needs to change. Of course, you may well find that lycra is comfortable and suitable for you: that's fine. But at this time of year, shorts and t-shirt do me just fine. I do believe that your top should be brightly coloured and highly visible. I wear a high-viz vest most of the time.2. Don't buy a new bike
Well, there goes any chance at sponsorship for this page. It's little known that bikes have outsold cars in Australia for quite some time But is that a good thing? So many bikes sit in people's sheds or on their balconies not being used. You don't need the latest $10,000 carbon fibre bike just to get to work and back. Try any old thing you've got, or borrow one from someone for a while. If it is a mountain bike with thick knobbly tyres, you might want to spend a bit of money buying more road-suitable tyres (will make cycling less effort). I bought some recently for my second-hand give-away bike for $30 a pop from Bike Bug. Down the track, you may want to upgrade your bike, but for now save your pennies. Get your rusty old heap serviced perhaps, so that it runs smoothly, and make sure it has brakes that work.3. Shhhhh. Don't stress about showering
Oh, bound to get in trouble here.I'll let you in on a secret. Many cycle commuters don't shower.Some workplaces don't have accessible facilities, and other facilities are so dauntingly disgusting that people fear they will come out dirtier than they went in. Cycling is different to running at the same intensity - the extra speed means you have wind in your face, and so are less likely to get really sweaty. You also can coast on downhills and along flats (unlike running) so quite often you can arrive at work with perhaps a healthy glow, but not soaked in sweat. A complete change and a bit of a wipe down, then liberal use of deodorant, and I can assure you no one will know the difference. (Of course, if there is a suitable shower, then it's quite a nice way to start the work day.)
4. Smile
Cycle commuting for me, from near Ryde to either Milsons Point (about 15km) or the city (about 17km), is quicker than catching public transport or driving. I pass people sitting in traffic honking each other. I love the wind in my hair, arriving at work having done some exercise, and feeling the conditions, listening to the birds, watching the little things in life. It's not a chore, it's a joy. So smile!5. Don't start on a Monday morn
The best time to try a cycle commute to your work place is on the weekend. You will get a feel for how long it will take you, where the tricky bits are, and how tired you are when you get to work. If the first time you try it is on a work day, and you arrive late and stressed, you will not enjoy your first experience.
6. Don't do it five days a week
Unless you are already superfit, to go from not cycle commuting to five days a week (ie, 10 trips a week) is probably not sustainable. You will quickly become tired and sick of it. Start with something achievable and work up from there, e.g, "I'm going to cycle every Tuesday and Thursday". Or, cycle in one day and leave your bike at work, then cycle home the next day initially. Hopefully you will build up stamina and love of it, so that you do become a regular commuter both ways.7. Play the conditions
When I started cycle commuting to the city, on a route that is more than 50% on roads, I had two rules in my head: "I don't do dark, and I don't do wet". If it started raining when I was at work, then I would not cycle home. If it was raining in the morning, then I didn't cycle in. If I stayed back late to work with a client, then I didn't cycle home. Gradually I became more confident with rain, and then confident with dark, and temporarily had a rule "I won't do dark AND wet", but now I actually love all conditions that are thrown at me: storms, wind, floods, heat. To me it now adds to the fun and variety. But initially, keep all your experiences positive, and within your comfort zone. Play the conditions.8. Watch the death lane
Although cycle lanes and facilities are becoming more commonplace and better, some are death traps, and as a new cyclist you need to be very aware of the worst kind. It is where a cycle lane is drawn on a road as an extension of the left "parking" lane: usually a narrow strip alonside the parked cars. These lanes have resulted in serious injuries in cyclists and, unfortunately, worse. The lanes are too close to the parked cars, and all it takes is an inattentive driver opening their car door at the wrong time, and a cyclist can be impaled. This could cause death. ALWAYS ride at least an open-door away from parked cars – even if it means you are now out in the traffic lane.9. Don't ride in the gutter
Similarly to number 8 above, another trap is feeling like you need to ride in the gutter on some roads so that cars can overtake you. This is a dangerous practice because it encourages cars to overtake you without there being enough room. They will squeeze past in the same lane and you will have too many close calls. I think it is best to sit about a third into the lane, so that drivers know they have to go around you, but at the same time you are not making it difficult for them to overtake by sitting way on the right of the lane. It is hard to get used to this at first. If you are going super slowly, such as up a long, steep hill, you may find it less stressful and better for drivers if you temporarily go on the footpath, but bear in mind this is not ideal, and potentially illegal (although if it is safer and less stressful, I would still advocate doing it for short distances).10. Encourage others
No one likes an obsessive Nazi about these things, but if you can encourage someone else to try cycle commuting too you will have a buddy to at least laugh about the high winds or to give support, advice or encouragement. Maybe it's someone who you could cycle with to work, or set up for the occasional weekend ride. Or maybe it would just be good to spread the word. Remember, our roads will be safer, our environment will be cleaner and we will be healthier if we can become a community where cycle commuting is the norm.See you on the track.
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