 | 10 Great Tips for Riding to Work |  | When you commute by bicycle you'll save money, get a good workout, avoid traffic congestion and do your bit to cut local air pollution. Here are some handy hints to get you started. 1. Service your bike
Are you using a bike that has been in the shed for a year or more? Have it serviced by your local bike store, or take a Bike Maintenance Course. Make sure you undertake a quick safety check every time you cycle, checking your brakes and tyres.2.Choose your cycling wardrobe
Many people cycle to work wearing their usual work clothes, especially when travelling under 5kms at a leisurely pace. For longer distances bicycle shorts and jerseys may provide a higher level of comfort.
Read moreHandy tips include: - Choose breathable fabrics. It doesn't have to be lycra (Lycra material is excellent though if you are riding a lot or a long way).
- Don't overdress - start off a bit cold as you will warm up quickly.
- Wear cycling gloves to protect your hands.
- If your ride to work is a work-out, why not keep your work clothes at work to change into when you arrive. Take you work clothes in once a week.
- Protect your trouser legs from grease marks by using a trouser band to keep your trousers close to your ankle and away from your bike chain. Choosing a band made of reflective material will also help increase your visibility on the road. Tip: rubber bands also work well, keep a few on your handle bars.
3. Be seen on your bike in daytime and at night
Day time: Wear light and bright colours during the day to ensure you are visible to other road users.Night time: Invest in reflective clothing or vest, and good quality head and tail-lights if you plan to cycle at night time or at dusk. There are many lights on the market with prices ranging from $15 to $1000.
Read more Here is an overview of the different types of lights and their purposes. (Note: These tips relate to your front white light. A red flashing light is appropriate for your back regardless of the type of riding you do). Small flashing lights: These lights are in the $15-$30 price range. They have excellent battery run time as well as being small and light weight (some have become so small they are no bigger than a ten cent piece!). While these lights are good for attracting the attention of other road users, most are not designed to light your way. Mid price range lights: These lights usually run off batteries with the battery and light all as one unit. The cost is between $30 and $75. They provide an adequate light for finding your way through parklands as well as attracting the attention of other road users. They are good for the night rider in city or suburban areas. High end lights: These lights run off varying types of rechargeable battery. The battery and light are separate units joined by a cable. These lights begin at around $100 and go up and over $1000. They provide good enough light to ride off road trails and cars will mistake you for a motor bike! The rechargeable battery makes running costs very low, but you need to remember to charge it! Excellent lights for the cyclist who rides regularly at night in heavy traffic and a necessity for anyone wishing to mountain bike at night.
4.Consider a bike buddy
Is there anyone who lives nearby that might want to cycle to work with you? Knowing someone is counting on you to ride can strengthen your resolve to cycle and they may be able to show you some good routes to take. Riding with a partner also provides additional visibility and an extra set of eyes on the road and traffic... Safety in numbers!
5. Select a cycle route
Be the master of your own destiny!Initially, choose routes with fewer cars, slower traffic and easy to manage intersections. Most importantly remember you do not have to travel the same route as you would in a car. You can utilize parks, cycle ways and backstreets to avoid traffic and hills. Why not ask other cyclists you know what routes they take and what they recommend?
Read more Check out these handy tools: Cycle Instead Journey Planner
A great online tool for all those planning a bike ride in South Australia. Using Google Maps it draws out a cycling route for you from your starting point to your destination, and estimates the time it would take at various speeds. You have several optional parameters you can select such as low traffic, path maximisation, gradient etc. Click
here to access the planner. Cycling Maps
Bikedirect is a network of bicycle routes across the Adelaide metropolitan area that was developed to encourage cycling. They provide options for people with different needs and abilities. The Bikedirect maps show main roads, bicycle lanes, local streets and off-road paths.
Go to website>
Bike and Trains - Bikes are free on trains on the weekend and Monday to Friday after 9am and before 3pm and after 6pm. You must buy a concession ticket for your bike at other times. Bike lockers - Live too far away to cycle the whole distance or prefer to cycle only one way?
Secure bicycle lockers are now available at many railway stations and bus stations across the metropolitan area. Check out the Metroguide - A guide to Adelaide's public transport system' or call the public transport InfoLine on 8210 1000 to find where the nearest one to you is located. You need to book one if you plan to use it. For bookings, also contact the InfoLine. Lines are open 7am - 8pm, 7 days a week.
6. Do a test run
On a day you would regularly take your car, drive the route and look for things such as wide lanes and traffic flow. You may even try a test ride on you bicycle on a weekend prior to riding the route on a busy weekday.7. Start slowly
Slowly increase your distance and speed over time, but do not overexert yourself. As a beginner, cycle for 20 minutes and aim to cover about 5 kms. The bike hardest trip to make is the first one. After that, they get easier. We promise.8. Planning your day
The most important thing is to develop a routine, so you know what to expect and how to adjust to variables (time, weather, how you feel). Know what you need, where it is, what your schedule is and what your options are.- Take a full bottle of water every time you ride and a snack in case you run out of fuel.
- What are you doing after work? Don't forget your lights if you are staying out until after dark. Playing sport or doing the grocery shopping can all be accommodated if you plan ahead.
- It is good to have other travel options if needed. For when you don't feel like riding or your bike has a flat, keep a public transport timetable handy or call a cab (riding regularly will save you more than enough money to cover this luxury). Know a friend nearby who drives to work? The more backups you have, the more comfortable you'll feel committing to your bike. And paradoxically, the more you ride, the fewer times you'll feel the need to actually act on those alternatives.
- Make sure you check the weather. Is it cold or warm, rainy or dry? It only takes a few minor adjustments to make sure you have all you need
9. Grooming and Avoiding 'helmet hair'
Many people who would like to cycle to work worry about how to make themselves presentable at work.Check if your employer provides shower and change room facilities. If not, an alternative may be a nearby gym or community facility.
Read these handy tips. Leave clothes at work -
Leaving clothes such as shoes and jackets at work reduce the items that you will need to carry each day. If you drive or use public transport some days you can use these to take extra clothes to and from work
Taking clothes with you - Roll don't fold -
Pants and shirts that are rolled will not crease or crumple. Selecting materials that are crease resistant or do not need ironing is also a good idea.
How fast you ride -
If you don't cycle fast you will not sweat as much, and you will probably find that a simple washcloth, soap and towel are all you need. You can always ride home fast to get your workout, where a shower awaits!
Tips for avoiding 'helmet hair' (until such time as it becomes a fashion statement) -
Many hairstyles, long or short, can be quickly spruced up upon arrival at work. If you shower at home in the morning, don't dry your hair completely. Leave a travel hairdryer at work for a quick styling. Another trick is to mist your hair with light hairspray before putting on your helmet. Then brush your hair right after you take off the helmet. This should keep it from denting.
10. Bicycle parking - keeping your bike safe
Always lock your bike no matter what length of time you are leaving it
for. A good lock, like your helmet and lights, is a small investment
with large gains.
Read more Bike visibility
- Ensuring that your bike is visible is important. When parking your bike consider:
- Avoiding secluded areas which are not easily seen by passing pedestrians as busy locations are generally more secure.
- Choosing a well-lit area when parking at night for your own safety and the security of your bike.
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Not placing your bike where it will obstruct a thoroughfare.
Securing and locking your bike
- The most common factor contributing to bike theft is the use of poor locks and locking procedures. To provide added security to the use of a lock:- Make sure the structure to which the bike is locked cannot be easily cut (such as a cyclone wire fencing), or removed from the ground (such as a sign post).
- Ensure that your bike and lock cannot be lifted off the structure to which it is secured.
- Lock both the wheels and the frame to the fixed structure.
- Remove detachable items such as pump, lights, computer etc.
- Use a high quality lock. Most cable and chain locks can be cut with pliers or bolt cutters. A solid steel "U-Lock" or "carbon cable" lock is more secure.
Storing your bike at home
Research identifies that most bikes are stolen from home. People are often less concerned about securing their bike in the home environment. When storing your bike at home, make sure it is out of slight and locked in a secure place. Registering your bike
Each bike frame has an identification number. This can be found under the pedal crank housing. You should record this number for future identification. Alternatively you can inscribe your driver's license number (if you have one) to the frame. An excellent idea is to have a photo taken of you with your bike, then write the number of the back of the picture. A large proportion of recovered bikes are not returned to their owner because they cannot be traced. Be sure to report to the police if your bike is stolen because it may be recovered. Police statistics on reported thefts also enable monitoring of bike theft levels and support lobbying for better cycling facilities.
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