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Should You Bike to Work?

May 20th, 2008 @ 8:00 am

5 Comments

Categories: Travel Tips

Tags: Benefits, Vertical Industries, Healthcare, Human Resources, Enterprise Software, Software, Rick Broida

biker.jpgLast Friday was Bike-to-Work Day. But why just one day? Why not make it a regular thing? Biking to work offers countless benefits: It’s free, it doesn’t produce CO2, it improves your health, it guarantees a parking spot near the door, and so on.

Wired suggests five ways to make bike commuting easy — which is to say, less problematic. For example, if you have too much stuff to carry (briefcase, laptop bag, lunch, etc.), consider a bike trailer (you can even build one yourself) or a new bike that’s built for carting cargo. Worried about arriving at the office all hot and sweaty? The author recommends pedaling at a slow pace, but this strikes me as impractical. I say keep your work clothes at work; change into them (after a quick wipe-down, of course) after you arrive.

Of course, for me, every day is Walk-Down-the-Basement-Stairs-to-Work Day, so I’m not the best one to give advice. If you’re a bike commuter, hit the Comments and share your secrets of two-wheeled success. Photo by Daquella Manera.

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  •  
    1

    lukeforitt

    05/20/08 | Report as spam

    Bike to work

    No mention of wind, hills, rain and most of all distance. I work at several locations and the nearest is 12 miles away. The majority of my colleagues also live as far or even further from work. How many people do live close enough to make cycling viable?

  •  
    2

    BizHacksRick

    05/21/08 | Report as spam

    Not ideal for everyone

    Needless to say, biking to work involves some hassles: weather, terrain, distance, danger, etc. Obviously it's not practical for everyone, but for those who have the option, it's definitely worth considering.

  •  
    3

    amoss

    05/20/08 | Report as spam

    cycling to work

    the best tip for cycling to work is to buy the best bike you can afford, and one that is suited to the "terrain" you travel on. I cycle almost 6 miles to work each day (admittedly mostly on the flat) and have a Dutch bike with 7 gears - enough so I can pedal quite sedately whilst covering good ground. All of this is done in full business dress and nearly always killer heels! With carbon emissions and rising fuel prices becoming an increasing concern for employees and employers alike, cycling offers potential benefits for both. Employers can offer tax-efficient bike purchase schemes and other incentives for freeing up costly parking spaces and reducing carbon footprints and employees keep fit into the bargain. Good shower and changing facilities for those that pedal harder than I do is a bonus, as is secure cycle storage.

  •  
    4

    e1-b8zn-8qjm-6whc@...

    05/21/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Should You Bike to Work?

    I used to ride to work almost every day, and I still do once in a while. I prefer to use pannier bags and a rack to carry cargo. Rolling your dress clothes up tightly in a plastic bag will minize wrinkles and cloudburst damage. See if you can find a shower or locker room near the office. Brag about your commute; it's a good conversation starter. Consider roadside assistance plans, such as the one offered by Better World Club. Please invest in and use all applicable safety equipment, and follow the rules of the road (i.e. obey all traffic laws). Don't be a scofflaw and contribute to bicyclists' bad image.

  •  
    5

    BEdson

    05/22/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Should You Bike to Work?

    I do all my lunch shopping over the weekend, then swing by the office and store my food for the week in a clearly marked plastic container in the fridge. That way, I don't have to pack a lunch every day or worry about getting it to the office via my bike. (It also saves me an extra 5-10 minutes in the morning because I don't have worry about getting my lunch together for the day!)

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