Gas Prices Got You Down? Ride Your Bike to Work!

• Posted on 22 May 2022
• By KW
• 0

When I drove past the gas station the other day, a gallon of regular unleaded was over $5.00 a gallon.  Yikes.  Had it not been a dreary, rainy day, I'd have been on my bike.  I try to ride to and from work as much as possible - the Grand Marquis isn't the most fuel efficient vehicle I've ever owned...

Should YOU be riding your bike to work?  Well, that depends.  But yes, you probably should be.  As usual, we are here to help answer your questions, even if they are questions you didn't know you had.

Some folks really hate riding on the road, which is understandable, especially in this age of distracted driving.  But check out your usual driving route: is there a bike path nearby?  What about sidestreets or just less-traveled roads?  My usual driving route is along Lincoln and down Chicago Drive from Holland to Zeeland; not very bike friendly.  But I found a route that works quite well that only has me on busy streets for about a mile total, with no more than half a mile at a time in a six-mile ride.  The rest of the trip is easy - a few side streets and roads with less traffic.  

How far is it to get to work for you?  My daughter lives and works in Chicago, and she realized very quickly that by the time she drove the three or so miles to her office and looked for a parking place she could easily have ridden her bike or even walked.  (She actually sold her car and ended up saving serious money each month, but I am not ready for that step yet!)  But if you live within five miles of your workplace, you should definitely give riding a try.  My six-mile commute takes me about 30 minutes each way, compared to about 14-17 minutes in the car.

"Is my bike a good bike for commuting?"  Well, does it have two wheels?  Are the tires inflated?  That's about the minimum; if your bike meets those criteria, you're off to a good start.  Ideally you should also have a light or two on it.  I use a headlight and a taillight any time I'm out.  They both have flashing modes, which helps cars notice me even in the daytime. 

"But aren't you all sweaty when you get to work?"  Sometimes, yes, but thankfully my co-workers don't seem to be offended or anything...  But here at the shop we have a full shower downstairs, so I could easily clean off before my shift.  I could also ride a bit slower, which would cause less perspiration, right?  Many local employers do have shower facilities, though, so maybe that would work for you.

Let's talk about what gear you might need to have a successful commute to work.  This will vary by occupation and distance, probably, but here are some ideas.

 - If it's a short trip, maybe you can just make it in your work clothes.  "Helmet hair" might be a thing, so pack a comb or a brush, but a trip of 1-3 miles shouldn't be too bad.  

 - Maybe leave a pair of shoes at the office so you don't have to put shoes in your backpack.  A couple of times when I would commute to my last job, I would grab some clothes for the week and take them into school on Sunday.  Kind of like weekly meal prep, but for clothes!  But a nice large pack allows you to carry most of your daily requirements.

 - A backpack or hydration pack is also a plus.  We have several options available, most of which will also hold your clothes for the day, or maybe your lunch or that pair of shoes that you didn't leave at the office yet.

 - As usual, shorts can make your ride more comfortable!  A comfy chamois between you and your seat is often a welcome part of the ride.

OK, you've found a route that works, you're all packed and ready for the ride, so now it's time to actually do it.  What exactly does that look like?

My first suggestion is that you plan a little more time than you think you'll need.  Nothing ruins a good ride like being stressed about what time it is.  For my 30-minute trip I try to leave 45 minutes before my shift so I have time to cool off when I arrive, or maybe I catch all the stoplights and it takes an extra few minutes.

Make sure you have your lights on before you leave!  And Strava, of course - then you can brag to all your followers that you've done a good thing by commuting to work.

And you know, that's really about it.  Grab your helmet, your lunch, your backpack, turn on your lights, and go.  What's really stopping you, right?  The sun is up by 6:15 a.m. and doesn't set until 9, so depending on your work hours, you're quite likely to be riding in daylight.

Happy riding!  Let us know you're doing it - tag us on Facebook or Instagram so we can share your adventures.