Lee's Cyclery Blog » bicycling

Changing your mind: Commute by bicycle “for pleasure” not “to work”

Steve Lacey — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:32:42 +0000

A few days ago, while getting off my bike after my commute to work, a fellow coworker commented on how cold the ride in must ha

ve been. “It was a bit chilly but so is scraping the ice off my car windows,” I said in return. “At least then you’re out of the cold” came back the reply as the front door to the building shut behind him. I looked at the bike rack and sure enough, it was empty. “Why did I ride my bike today” I asked almost aloud. Here’s why - I ride my bike into work because it is so much less stressful than driving. Granted, I don’t have far to commute but who does if they live and work in Fort Collins?

There are a lot of reasons why people open the garage door in the morning and throw their leg over their bike for the morning commute…….There are far less reasons why people don’t. Yet that coin flip always seems to land in the cars favor. Hopefully, I can even the odds a bit here by dispelling a few myths or perceptions about commuting by bike.

1. Safety or the perception of same. Without a doubt, safety has got to be the number one reason keeping people from commuting by bike. Did you know the number of fatalities or accidents per million is much higher in vehicles than on bicycles? Of bicycle fatalities, the highest percentage is held by children and young adults and generally those who don’t follow the rules of the road; not by those commuting. Here’s my advice: before commuting to work for the first time, experiment with different routes on the weekend or evenings. The fastest route by car may not be the fastest by bicycle. If the route you take makes you nervous, try a different one. Avoid riding on sidewalks as they are more prone to accidents than riding on the roadway (strange but true!).

2. “I don’t have a bike.“ I won’t use the word ‘excuse’ because if you don’t have a bike it is pretty hard to commute by bicycle. However, I bought the bike I commute on for $25.00 at a garage sale and the following weekend, took it on a not so casual 40 mile group ride and it did just fine. Any budget can afford a bicycle, heck there is even a bike co-op in downtown Fort Collins where the time you donate working at the co-op can get put towards the purchase of a bicycle!

3. “What about hygiene?” What about it? Nobody ever says commuting has to be a race. There are usually plenty of places to park your bike up close to the building, so relax and enjoy the ride. Most local commutes are less than 5 miles and riding at a comfortable pace shouldn’t keep people from visiting your cube. Don’t over dress is the key, let the cool air do it’s job. You can also use a rack instead of a backpack for personal items to keep from overheating.

4. “I have to dress up while at work.” If my wife can pack a complete wardrobe in a lunchbox for a two day vacation and still have room to outfit a salon, I think it can be done for work. Besides, when people know you ride your bike to work they’ll cut you a little slack on the style of the day. If not, bring the items you need the day before and have them ready for your bicycle commute and change in the rest room.

Last but not least….

5. Good ole’ Father Time. I think you’d be very surprised at how little time you actually save by driving to work after you’ve ridden for a while and have a routine down. Most people watch an hour or two of TV each day. Recording your favorite shows on tivo and cutting out the commercials, could easily save you the time needed to ride to work. Start early so you don’t have to beat the clock. I know it’s easier said than done but use the time to think about the day’s events. For those who have a longer commute, try just riding one way at first. Drive in to work with your bike and ride home in the evening and then back to work in the morning to get your car.

Sure there are other reasons for not commuting by bike but with a bit of research and preparation, most of them can get turned into reasons not to drive. Remember Father Time and his watch never stop and every day you drive is a day you could be doing something good for yourself as well.

Finally, this week’s tip is more of a suggestion rather than a tip. Next time you drive to work, keep track of the time it takes to get from door to door at a relaxed pace without speeding. Now do the same while riding your bike on the weekend or when you have plenty of time. Take that difference in time and figure ways to change your routine to allow you to ride to work and gain that time back somewhere else or just enjoy it.

Have fun out there and don’t forget your helmet!

Steve Lacey

Welcome to a brand spanking new blog

Steve Lacey — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:51:26 +0000

Welcome to the Lee’s Cyclery Blog! In the coming weeks, we will share gems of wisdom about the bicycling community, bicycles, events, riding and training tips. I encourage readers to comment on blogs or send questions they wish answered and we will try to answer them in a timely manner.

The first tip is to see and be seen. No one, besides your mom, is more concerned about your safety than you. Be aware of your surroundings, watch for hazards and be prepared for surprises. Reflective clothes and lights both front and rear should be used in questionable daylight or at night.

We also encourage all riders to wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road or mountain bike trail while on a bike. Each week we’ll share a riding tip to help make your riding experience enjoyable, safe and fun. So let’s get started!

Just because there is snow on the ground doesn’t mean it’s not Spring. And what does Spring mean besides flowers? Bicycling! Let’s face it, the times you spent on your bike as a kid are some of the happiest times you’ve ever had in your life. It was how most of us truly broke away from our parents’ grasp for the first time. You may not live with your parents anymore (or maybe you do and you still need some space!), but we’re willing to bet you haven’t forgotten how to ride a bike. You know why? Because you loved it so much. Yes, that feeling is still there itching to get out and if you let it, you may just find the purest of all fountains of youth. But first, you may have to actually go out and purchase a new or used bike. This can be quite overwhelming!

If you haven’t been to a bike shop in a while you may be quite surprised by the number of different styles of bikes on the sales floor. There are cruisers, comfort, commuter, road, mountain, hybrid bikes (!) and even more. Some bikes look more suited to an art gallery than a bike shop. In proportion to the number of bike styles, there are an equal number of different price ranges to suit everyone’s needs. So here’s the skinny…or the phat….on bikes you may see around the bike rack.

The Cruiser – The name says it all. Designed for a very relaxed and laid back kind of ride along the bike trail or neighborhood street while on the way to the local coffee shop. Generally in the lowest of the price ranges. With a low wide seat, wide handle bar and wide tires, this bike is unmistakable.

The Comfort Bike – Generally these are for traveling shorter distances at lower speed and are well suited to a basket or rack for trips to Whole Foods or the local Farmers Market. They’re also designed to give the rider an upright comfortable riding position. The addition of gears makes these bikes just a tad higher in price than the cruiser.

The Commuter Bike– Getting people from point A to point B reliably and efficiently is the function of this bike. Geared or not, this bike is usually set up with fenders, narrower tires, a rear rack and straight handle bars. Many different bike types can be set up as “commuter” type bikes with today’s accessories and tire choices,giving you a lot of flexibility in designing what you need.

The Road Bike– With the multi-curved handle bar and skinny tires, these bikes are as

distinctive as the cruiser. Think Lance Armstrong. Road bikes are designed to cover some serious road miles efficiently. The curved handle bars allow the rider to use many different hand positions for comfort and aerodynamic positions. These bikes have many different price points depending on the frame material and component selection. Generally the lighter, the bike the more expensive it is. Fit and price are the main considerations when buying such a bike so take the time to have a trained technician fit the bike to you. This will put you in the proper body position and decrease the risk of injury and fatigue.

The Mountain Bike – Without a doubt, the mountain bike is the most versatile of all bike types. These bikes were developed primarily off road and were first conceived and built by Gary Fisher in Mount Tam, CA. Wider tires and many gears allow riders to climb very steep inclines over all types of terrain. But set up correctly with skinny tires they can also fit very easily into any social group ride on the road as well. 26 or 29 inch wheels are available options for mountain bikes these days and the jury is still out as to which one is better. It seems to depend on the rider.

So there you have it, the lowdown on bikes. There’s a bike for everyone, so as you get ready to ride, think about what kinds of things you want to do with your bike and what you want your bike to do for you. I promise you, you will not be disappointed!

Ride on and catch you next week with another amazing installment on Spring riding!

Steve Lacey