You are correct about the businesses, too.
I mean, for a corporate office, why not just have something as simple as a bike rack, if you can't afford to open up a room for space? Or leave the back rack in the lobby near the security desk or something. Why is that not possible?
Bike commuting, imo, is a wonderful thing that more people should take advantage of.
I say just get a recumbent tricycle like a cattrike or greenspeed. Then, you'll have plenty of cargo space, can go faster, your nuts won't tingle, and best of all, those things are their own anti-theft device, because no thief would want to steal it. They'd probably laugh at you, but that can be dealt with.
i did it when i had no car for a period
it ended up being more expensive than driving due to the extra calories i had to replace. i had to eat an extra meal every day.
jarva - Here are some questions which you need to answer to get yourself started:
How are you going to deal with sweat? Shower at work? Bring a change of clothes?
Where are you going to store your bike? Inside or outside?
What will you do if you break down? Walk, bum a ride, or fix it?
1. Keep an extra set of clothes at your workplace.
Some people wear their work clothes on the ride in. Others change at work. It sucks when your get to work and are drenched in rain or realize that you forgot your clean underwear at home.
2. Keep and extra set of toiletries at your workplace.
Some people shower at work (or nearby). Others "freshen up". It sucks when you get to work and realize that you are out of deordorant.
3. Get a set of lights.
Even if you don't think you will be riding in the dark. Sometimes you will have to work late. Lights are not just for you to see, they are for motorist to see you. Use them when it starts getting dark, it might save your life. You don't have to keep them on your bike at all times, but you should at least have a set available.
4. Secure your bike.
The most valuable parts of a bike tend to be the frame and the rear wheel. Be sure both are locked down (IMO you should lock down the front wheel too). U-locks work best. Cable can be cut easily. Use either two u-locks, or a u-lock and a cable. Remove anything which is easily deattachable from your bike when you park it: lights, pumps, bags, sometimes seat posts. Even if it is cheap, a theif will take it if it is easy.
5. Carry everything you need to fix a flat on your bike all times.
This means different things to different people. You will need either a spare tube or a patch kit, a pump or a CO2 cartrdige/gun, and a set of tire levers. You may also need a wrench to remove the wheel from the frame.
Figuring out how to deal with sweat is probably the most difficult part. As someone else mentioned, backpacks can make your back sweaty, so keep that in mind.
As far as the actuall ride is concerned:
1. Be predictable. Sudden actions catch motorists off guard. Try to avoid that.
2. Be alert. Motorists like to do things like making sudden right turns. In most states you have the right of way, but that won't save your life.
3. Be visible. Use lights, reflectors, brightly colored clothing, or whatever. Just make yourself visible.
Do you have any specific questions?
Oh, and buy yourself a floor pump. Top off your tires every few days. This does wonders for avoiding flats (google: pinch flats).
This ^^^ I cycle a fair amount now, and used to commute 24-36 mile a day (college days). All of this is good advice.
And the get a helmet. Be assertive ( you do have the right to be on the road). Claim your space on the road so, if you have to avoid a pothole or sewer, you don't end up off in a ditch.
However, while you have to claim your space, you will ALWAYS lose to a car. Physics always beats the laws of men, so be alert. And have fun - I love to bike.
ElGringo: you're saving money in future medical care by not getting high blood pressure or type II diabetes, right?
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I'm blessed in a few ways in that I have access to a small gym w/showers, a decent sized desk at work, and a bike rack in the office parking lot.
I'm really stoked about doing this! I'll probably be able to get started within the next two weeks or so. I"ll post some updates when I do.
Thanks for all the insights guys! Back in the day, this would have been "Hall of Fame"/"Thread of the Month" sort of material.
Of course, we don't have things like that anymore...
Leigh, I imagine that being in the UK being a cyclist is a little easier since more people do it?
great thread
I'm in Montreal and more and more people are using their bikes for transportation.
This year they also started an automated bike rental system where you can take a bike and drop it in any station. Pretty damn cool. They've put stations all around the city and the demand is very high.
Check out the web site
http://www.bixi.com/home