How To Make Bicycle Commuting A Habit
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Get In Shape, Save Money, Save The Planet
Every New Year you make resolutions. You're going to lose weight and get healthy; you're going to put more money into your savings; you're going to reduce your impact on the environment. But lifestyle changes require effort, and who has the time or energy to keep such lofty goals constantly in the forefront? Maybe you do! You can accomplish all these goals by committing to one simple activity: bicycle commuting to work.
Photo by movingtargetzine via flickr.com
Bicycle To Get Healthy
As reported on the League of American Bicyclists' website, "The Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health said, 'Physical activity of the type that improves cardiovascular endurance reduces the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes and improves mental health. Findings are suggestive that endurance-type physical activity may reduce the risk of developing obesity, osteoporosis, and depression and may improve psychological well-being and quality of life.'" Bicycling can provide aerobic exercise without the pounding associated with running or jogging. Bicycle To Save Money
Bicycles are much cheaper than motor vehicles to buy and maintain. And think of how much you can save on gas by bicycling to work, not to mention parking fees. The League of American Bicyclists suggests other ways that bicycling impacts the economy. Bicycle To Save The Planet
From the League of American Bicyclists website: "According to the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey ... 50 percent of the working population commutes five miles or less to work. Yet more than 82 percent of trips five miles or less are made by personal motor vehicle." And "A short, four-mile round trip by bicycle keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe. (WorldWatch Institute)." The Right Gear Helps When Bicycle Commuting
And it can make it a lot more fun, too
Carry Everything You Need For Bicycle Commuting
Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP Bicycle Trunk Bag with Rigid Molded Panels
Amazon Price: $74.87 (as of 05/30/2012)
Here's a bicycle trunk and panniers all in one. It's so handy to stow away the side panniers when you don't need them, but opened up, they'll hold a small laptop for work. Pack a change of clothes and your lunch and still have room for anything else you need when you're commuting by bicycle. Snaps onto a compatible Topeak MTX Quick-Track rack like the one below.
Topeak Explorer Bike Rack
Amazon Price: $24.50 (as of 05/30/2012)
This rack uses Topeak's QuickTrack system to hold your bicycle trunk or panniers. The channels on the rack accept matching rails on the bottom of the bag, which clicks securely in place. Easy on and easy off so you can grab and go. The sturdy aluminum frame holds up to 55 pounds -- more than enough for commuting to work.
Yeah, But...
Start Bicycling To Work
Photo by AkosSzoboszlay via flickr.com
No buts! I know you have all kinds of reasons why bicycle commuting won't work for you, but most of them are just excuses. Let's see how we can get past the stumbling blocks and start riding the bike to work.How easy it is to get started depends on various factors, the first of which is distance. If you live within ten miles of work, no problem. Simply get out of bed earlier. You should be able to bicycle ten miles in an hour or less. Live farther than ten miles away? You may want to spend some time conditioning a little more before you start riding to work, but it is certainly still feasible.
Research your route ahead of time. The roads you drive may not be the best for bicycling. Look for roads with less traffic and more shoulder.
Figure out where you will secure your bicycle while you're at work. It would be no good to have your bicycle stolen and have no way to get home.
Keep a change of clothes and some toiletries at work for cleaning up.
Learn to fix a flat tire so you won't be late.
Riding both ways in the same day too much? Get a bike rack for your car. Drive to work and leave your car overnight so you can bicycle home. Next day, bicycle to work and drive home.
May is National Bike Month
You've Started Bicycling To Work
Now Make It A Habit
Once you've started bicycle commuting, the trick is to stay motivated. Start a competition with your co-workers to see who can ride the most miles or the most days per week. Contact the local newspaper to do a story about your efforts. Talk to your boss about providing safe bike parking or offering incentives for bicycling to work (healthy employees are productive employees). Be organized; pack your lunch and lay out your riding clothes and anything else you'll need the night before. Track your progress. Have you lost weight? Lowered your blood pressure? Built up your savings account?
Don't feel that you have to ride to work every day. Even two or three times a week will make a difference. Just keep it up. Give it a shot and see what an impact bicycle commuting can have on your life.
Photo © Nancy Shepherd
Important Stuff To Know
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What Would Motivate You To Bicycle To Work?
Have you tried bicycle commuting? If not, what would motivate you to start? How would you keep motivated?
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PositiveChristian
Jan 11, 2012 @ 12:57 pm | delete
- I intend to cycle to work during the summer months this year. If there was adequate lighting along our local cycle path I would ride to work all year long. Good healthy exercise and no fuel costs.
- Worthy of my Angel Blessing.
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mannasugar
Jan 3, 2012 @ 11:29 am | delete
- Happy New Year.....Woot Woot....Bicycling is awesome.....especially Mountain biking for me.....
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tagsforkids
Nov 8, 2011 @ 6:36 pm | delete
- I do indeed bike to the office, albeit only a few miles away. Unfortunately I have situations that require the car so I can't do it every day, but enjoy it when I can. Tough in Florida though during the summer months! :-)
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poutine
Dec 2, 2009 @ 3:12 pm | delete
- I'm retired now, but if I was younger and still working, I think I should like to try to find a job where I could bike to easily.
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MysticTurtle
Dec 2, 2009 @ 10:14 pm | delete
- The only thing better than bicycling to work is walking to work!
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by MysticTurtle
I had a normal childhood, but somewhere along the way I took off on my own path. I backpacked the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail in 2001 and the 700-mile... more »
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Bicycle Gear For Commuting
Schwinn Thrasher Adult Micro Bicycle Helmet (Adult)
Amazon Price: $21.32 (as of 05/30/2012)
Sunlite Mesh Bottom Bicycle Lift Off Basket, Black
Amazon Price: $22.15 (as of 05/30/2012)
