6 HACKS to make Commuting by Bike WORK FOR YOU!

Commuting by bike... SO many excuses. I always used to give a million reasons why riding to work just wasn't for me. Too much stuff to carry. Bad weather. Nowhere safe to leave my bike.

So... I came up with ALL the solutions to your commuting questions / excuses 🙃
Hiplok have sponsored this video which I'm super stoked about as been using their locks for yeeeeears.

Hiplok deets: Z-Lok are amazing - and Switch is great for carrying a Bronze Sold Secure lock 🔓

Well chuffed to have the following brands support me and my ol' cycling adventures. So you will see some of their products I choose to use in my content :)

[lanceflare]

One of the most important tips I can think of is to ride a bike that is well maintained. So many people I know say that they don't like cycling, whilst hurling a rusty chunk of metal around that is squeakier than my dog's toys. They usually look at my bikes and say something like "No wonder you like cycling so much, your bike looks like so much fun!" and I'm like "Yeah, really nothing special about them. I just keep 'em clean and well lubed." People vastly underestimate how much of a difference it makes to just have a decently maintained drive train.

[topofthegreen]

Im glad you did this video, I’m a bicycle commuter. Working in an amazon warehouse solves the showering problem for me. We need. More people cycle commuting. I save so much money not having the hassles of a car.

[nigelhughes]

The Dutch never worry about the "Showering" issue. After visiting The Netherlands I cycle commute on my Brompton in smart shirt, and trousers, everyday shoes, quite a bit uphill, I don't ever have an issue with sweating, I just cycle steady. I'm not in a race. I do keep a set of waterproofs with me though.

[GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff]

This brings me back to my first commute … riding my ten speed Torpado as a teen from home to my first summer job. That’s the same bicycle that recently celebrated its 50th birthday. I still can’t believe that I rode that bike through the summer heat and rush hour traffic. Glad I did because that summer job lead to a 37 year career with Rolls-Royce (aero engines not the cars). 🚴🙂

[tomreingold]

The sweat problem: I don’t usually change my clothes after riding into work. In summer, I make a big glass of ice water, and I sit as still as possible for 20 minutes. If I’m still sweating when I arrive, I might wipe off, and the best thing for that is some liquid witch hazel which I get at the drug store (aka chemist). It does not dry the skin, but it stops my sweating quickly.

The rain problem: if it’s raining hard or likely to start raining before I arrive at work, I don’t ride. But if there is a risk on my commute home, why not? I can change easily once I’m home. I have gotten soaked on the way in. For that, I keep a complete change of clothes at work. It must be complete, with underwear, socks, belt, and shoes.

The general weather problem: I occasionally write down what I wore, what the conditions were, and how well it worked out. That way, I know what to wear for which conditions.

The traffic problem: skill makes a huge difference. It’s possible to build skill. One way to build it is to ride with an experienced friend who can show you stuff. I’ve taught people how to ride in traffic safely and comfortably. My two rules: 1. Predict others, and 2. Be predictable. I now have very good nerves and am willing to ride in a big variety of conditions, even though I don’t like all of them.

[denisezachar]

When I first started commuting, I rode my planned journey few times on Sunday morning just to be more comfortable with the traffic. I was new to cycling but this really helped me.

[burndownthediscos]

I started commuting by bike in September last year to save money on fuel and parking. I come from the moors down into Manchester and then out to Salford. 15 miles each way, three times a week. I started on-road and it was hard for the first few weeks. I had never thought of using Strava or Komoot to plan my route until I saw one of your videos. Used it and discovered I can stay off-road for 12.5 of the 15 miles of my route. This led to me getting a gravel bike, getting much, much fitter and I've now started entering gravel events and riding the longest distances I can.
The thing I love is at this time of year I can use the commute home as training. I leave everything in the office so it's just me and my bike vs the elevation on the way home.

[geoffreyhoney]

Super points all around. Hacks I use, for Canadian winter: merino base layers/a wool sweater under waterproof jacket, studded snow tires, & downhill ski goggles, fenders for year round. Bike with internal hub. I also leave good shoes at work. No such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing! Thanks for the helpful video! May more people take the plunge! What also helps others to get their heads around it is to go with a more experienced buddy.

[scruf]

47 years old I cycle commute 365 days a year do not own a car and never will again I think every young person should cycle commute they will save a lot of money

[lindsaybeardsall]

I stared bike commuting this year. I got a peddle assist and it’s been really fun. So far it has boosted my conference on the road and with traffic.(was hit by a car on my road bike about 10 years ago which lead to me quitting cycling) I started road cycling again about 3 years ago but I have been very tentative. This has been my best year for biking since I have come back.

[patford]

Katie you are spot on with lights! With many decades of urban commuting I used a flat bar bike with fenders and slightly larger tires. Flat bars gave me a more upright position to see and be seen better. The wider tires for soaking up uneven and cracked pavement. Fenders kept me so much cleaner in damp and wet conditions.

[JamesTaylor-yzov]

Great vid Katie. I'm a long time bike commuter mostly through busy urban areas and along roads heavy with traffic. Part of taking a new job for me are the facilities for the post commute ride. A couple of things I would add are ride within the rules of the road and be respectful of other road users. We've all seen the rider jumping the red lights which is guaranteed to annoy the drivers out there and tar the rest of us with the same brush. A quick wave to a motorist who gives us plenty of room when overtaking or being patient waiting to overtake goes a long way in my mind and can only help build better relationships between road users😊

[DarenC]

People don't run everywhere and expect to shower at the end, they just walk, so I do agree that showers aren't a deal breaker. Just ride a little more slowly. I definitely prefer panniers to a rucksack, although they can make it harder to nip through gaps. Proviz Reflect360 jackets and 3M Scotchguard reflective tape on your bike are great in the winter. I've worked from home since March 2020, and the only thing I miss about the office is the 12km commute each way.

[davidmccumber]

The only thing I'd argue against is having headphones at all! I find being able to hear my environment makes me feel the most secure! You can judge car speed, spacing, etc from tire noise or even the revving of the engine. I used to bike all the time with phones/buds but I have embraced the noise of my environment on my rides!

[FelisSilvestrisBE]

For my ADHD cyclists out there: make sure that everything is fastened to you bike as much as possible!
Use a hub dynamo with mounted lights, use a bikelock that's mounted on your frame ( Like Katies! ), get looks that integrate into your BB or headset, carry a spare tire in your saddlebag and so on!
Can't forget it if it's mounted!

[Peppermint]

I see very few people with a rear view mirror on their handle bar. Maybe I got old but I would not ride a bike in traffic without knowing what's behind me at all time. Can get a rear view mirror for a few dollars these days, I much prefer ones that attach on the side of tube handle, bracket is very short so mirror is very stable (no vibrations) and view is not obstructed by body or hand. A tip for male riders, I much prefer a bike for females with low frame, much easier to step on. Just swap for a male seat. As for the commuting part, it is so important to have good tire pressure - bicycle tires take a lot of pressure usually written on tire side wall, properly inflated tire does reduce significantly pedaling effort. Quality and properly greased wheel bearings also reduce pedaling effort.

[martinschwartz]

Thanks, Katie. That was very helpful. Keep smiling. You have the loveliest and warmest smile I have ever seen.

[mlaw]

Great tips, Katie. Thank you for the heads up on the shokz headphones. I’ve been thinking of getting these for a long time and finally made the purchase! Also love that you suggest we all ride more to be advocates for cycling infrastructure.

[johnstygall]

Back when I lived and worked in UK, I always biked in. I left 1 or 2 suits at the office plus a pair of work shoes, so all I needed esch day was fresh shirt, socks and underwear. These I could carry in a backpack with my lunch and a waterproof. Defo payed not to give it full gas on the way in, but often took it out on the pedals if I'd had a bad day! When I worked in London rode 5 miles to our local station, put the cycle on the train and then rode from Waterloo Station to the City. All in all it was much quicker, less stressful and certainly cheaper to ride to work. You do need to ve a bit more organised but it's worth it

[rogeranderson]

This is my hobby-horse, but I am constantly amazed at how many people commute on bikes wearing dark clothing. The reliance on lights facing front and rear amounts, in my mind, to something akin to magical thinking. I suspect fashion/ vanity plays a part, and dark colours can be seen as more stylish, but I make use of the cheap, Chinese-made hi-vis vests that can be bought in 2-dollar shops (or the UK equivalent). That way, I can wear the existing rain-wear that I have, and still be seen from all angles. I, too, use lights day and night, but/ and my empirical experience is that cyclists in dark clothing are virtually invisible, even with lights on.