Biking to Work: How to Get Started, Stay Safe, and Look Good When You Arrive

Michael Roper is 72 years old, and he bikes to and from the pub he owns in Chicago every single day. He gets exercise, breathes fresh air, and spots things along the way — like a new coffee shop or an owl flying at night — that he would miss in a car. He says biking is simply the best way to get to work.

Many people think bike commuting requires expensive gear or that you need to be very fit. Others worry about arriving at work sweaty or messy. But experienced cyclists and safety experts say there are easy ways to handle all of those concerns, and that biking can be healthy, fun, and very affordable.

You do not need fancy or expensive equipment to ride to work. Some cyclists buy special gear, but it is not necessary. Many cities have bike-sharing programs where you can rent a bicycle for a short trip if you do not own one.

Natalie Frank, 22, got a free road bike from a friend when she started her job as a software engineer in Boston. She fills the tires using free air pumps found in city parks. 'My commute costs zero dollars. That's crazy,' she said.

Looking presentable after a bike ride is easier than most people expect. Many riders arrive a few minutes early to change clothes and freshen up. Some leave a spare outfit at their desk, and others carry clothes in a backpack or in pannier bags that attach to the bicycle.

Ellie Dannenberg, 37, is a math professor in Denver who rides to work in gym clothes. She keeps her work shoes in her office and carries her outfit in pannier bags. She says pannier bags are better than backpacks because backpacks can make your back sweaty during the ride.

Wearing a helmet is the most important safety step for any bike commuter. Bright clothing, reflective vests, and lights on your bike help drivers see you on the road. Michael Roper wears a yellow-green helmet and uses flashing front and rear lights so no one can miss him.

Where you ride on the road also keeps you safe. On roads without bike lanes, riding in the middle of the lane makes you more visible to drivers. At red lights, moving to the front of the traffic line is another smart safety move.

New riders should also watch out for 'getting doored' — when someone in a parked car swings a door open right in a rider's path. The League of American Bicyclists says to stay at least four feet from parked cars, even if it means leaving the bike lane. Always look inside parked cars for people before riding past.

If you are new to bike commuting, try finding a more experienced rider to show you the ropes. They can point out safer, less busy routes you might not discover on your own. The League of American Bicyclists also has free videos online about traffic safety and hand signals.

Many cyclists say biking to work makes them feel happier and more energized throughout the day. Alison Dewey, 52, rides 16 miles to work and enjoys views of the Potomac River along the way. 'It brings me a lot of happiness to just ride,' she said. 'Being outside is just always good for my emotional health.'