Are you a girl who wants to bike to work? You’re sick and tired of public transport and you don’t have money for a car? This article is meant for you.
It’s this time of year when we celebrate the national bike to work day and let’s not forget that only in the USA more than 800000 people are biking to work daily. While this is still a small number for the USA, in many other countries it’s quite common, like in the Netherlands, Denmark, UK, Australia, etc. The benefits are many, let’s mention the ecology and good body shape as one of the most obvious ones. Let’s see what it takes to start cycling to work right away.
Make sure your bike is ready for daily rides
Here are some tips to make sure that your bike is ready for daily rides:
– Check the tires. Make sure they are inflated properly and that there is no air leakage. If you have a puncture, it’s time to replace the tire.
– Check the brake pads. Make sure they are not worn out and there is enough grip on them. If you notice any wear, it’s time to change them.
– Check the chain and gears for any corrosion or rusting and lubricate them with oil or grease as needed.
If you ride every day, make sure you don’t risk any issues with the bike.
Make sure you know the route and detours
When you are new to a city, or just using a new way of transportation, it is really important to learn the route for work. If you don’t know the route, you can take a map or GPS with you. If there is a traffic jam, make sure you know the detours. Luckily a bike is small and you can pass through many other vehicles. If you’re not late or in a hurry it might be better to take a longer route and go relaxed enjoying the ride.
Be very careful on the road
When biking every day it’s important to take precautions so you don’t put yourself in danger.
– Wear a helmet and make sure it fits snugly on your head.
– Be aware of the traffic around you.
– Keep your bike in good condition.
– Don’t bike when it’s dark outside or if there are hazardous conditions such as rain or snow on the ground.
– Keep a close eye on children.
Have a quality bike
You’ve tried biking to work and you loved it, but your current bike is not the best one. A small investment in a good bike can pay off very well because you will save money on other things (like the gym and car since you won’t either of them).
Check some of the women’s bikes on the internet to see which one might be the best for you. Take into account the riding style, material, and wheel size, among other things.
Make sure you have the right kit
The good thing when you travel by car or bus on a rainy day is that you don’t get wet. Well, when you bike it’s the other way around. This is why you should always pay attention to the forecast and wear a waterproof jacket and a waterproof case for your stuff. For sunny days, you need SPF and glasses, probably a hat too. Some other basic bike equipment that might come in handy is:
– A helmet
– A bike lock
– Bike lights (if cycling at night)
– Reflective clothing or accessories (if cycling at night)
– Bike water bottle holder
– Bike repair kit
– Bike pump
– A spare inner tube
– A bike basket
– a small bell to communicate easier with other drivers
Prepare for biking economically
While biking to work is cheaper than driving there are some costs associated with biking such as bike maintenance, but there are also many ways to reduce these costs, such as taking the bike in for repairs more often. Also, if you need to buy a new bike, it will cost you money too, but it’s a one-time investment. The basic equipment we mentioned previously costs money too, but it can be found second-hand.
Make sure you have an insurance
We don’t want to scare you, but cycling can be dangerous. The risk of getting hit by a car or truck increases when you’re on the road with cars. That’s why cyclists need to have insurance in place that will help them in the event of an accident.
Bicycle insurance is a type of personal liability insurance that covers cyclists and their bicycles while they are riding through traffic. Because bicycle insurance policies often cover fewer places, it might not be worth the risk to ride without one.
Dress smartly for biking to work
Men don’t have to think this through, a pair of jeans and a good shirt do the job. Now, for girls, it’s sometimes complicated to look feminine and to dress smartly for biking. There are some ways to bypass this obstacle, like wearing bike shorts under your skirt or dress or just carrying some clothes with you to change them later.
Just make sure you don’t have too many layers on you because you don’t want to break into a sweat or to dress too lightly in case there’s wind or cold weather. If you want to keep your hair stylish despite wearing a helmet, here are some hair tips for cyclist girls. If you’re still not convinced that biking to work is the right choice, just read the health benefits of regular biking. Get a good bike and the right equipment and start your biking adventure right away. Don’t forget the helmet, the insurance, and a great GPS.
Apart from that if you want to know about 5 Landscaping Mistakes to Avoid for New Homeowners then visit our Lifestyle category.
