Taking the bike to work instead of the car is a lot easier than most people think, and there are just a few differences to take into consideration. - Plan a little extra time - If your commute is less than 3 miles through town, it probably won't take any longer by bike than it does by car, but if you're further away than that, plan a few extra minutes to get to work.
- Plan your route - In Midland, it's probably wise for most people that are new to commuting to avoid Saginaw Road and Eastman Road. If those are on your normal driving route, you may want to take a look at a map and see if there's a quieter way to get to work.
- Make sure your equipment is working properly - If you haven't ridden your bike in a while, check ahead of time that your tires are inflated properly, your brakes are working right, and your chain is turning freely.
That's about all it takes. There are many other considerations of course depending on how far you're riding, what you have to carry, and what you have to wear at work. Rydoze has an excellent guide that covers these topics in a little more detail. If you would like to talk about your specific commute with an experienced transportation cyclist, please feel free to drop an email to Josh. |