Welcome to Part 3 of Riding Your Bike to Work.  In Part 1, we took a gander at all the great reasons for converting your commute to pedal-power.  And then in Part 2 we discussed the plans and preparations for making your ride happen. 

So now that we know the benefits of and preparations for cycling to work, let's talk about what you should keep in mind during your ride, how to stay safe and how to arrive at your destination in one piece. 

Note that this article is by no means meant to be a comprehensive guide to road safety.  Always use common sense when riding your bike.  In addition, each state and municipality will have different laws regarding cyclists and the right of way, so you should get familiar with these regulations before you set out.

What should you keep in mind during your ride? 

Situational Awareness - Staying alert and aware of your surroundings is the single best way to be safe.  Too often I pass cyclists obviously not paying attention or listening to music on headphones.  Leave the iPod and the headphones at home, so that you can hear what is going on around you.  To check for cars or other cyclists behind you, turn your head slightly and use your peripheral vision.  Otherwise, keep your head up and your eyes forward and watch for any obstacles in your path (parked cars, pedestrians, broken glass, etc).

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In Riding Your Bike to Work (Part 1), we talked about why you would want to ride your bike to work and many of the advantages of doing so. 

You can save money and gas, lose weight, feel better about yourself and avoid some of the difficulties of the weekly grind.  And there are also the environmental benefits to consider. 

We now have the motivation and know the advantages of cycling to work, so let's talk about how to make getting to the office on pedal-power a reality. 

What preparations do you need to make? 

Type of Bike - For commuting long distances (greater than 10 miles) a dedicated road bike will be best.  You can go much faster on a road bike than any other type of bike.  A road bike will be light, have multiple gears and use narrow, high-pressure tires to minimize resistance.  These are used mainly on pavement and concrete.  If your route takes you down dirt paths or across unpaved areas, a commuter or hybrid bicycle would be a good choice. 

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One of the main things I've never liked about work is the commute to and from the office.  Rushing out in the morning, sitting for extended periods in the car, waiting at stoplights and dealing with traffic all really takes a toll after a while.  What if you could avoid these hassles a couple times a week? 

Provided you live within a reasonable distance to your workplace, you can.  With a little bit of preparation you can replace your dull car commute with an invigorating bike ride.  Sure, riding your bike to work does take effort and the willingness to try something new, but the rewards far outweigh any downside.  Most of the time, all we need is a little motivation to get started. 

What are the advantages of riding your bike to work?

Save Money and Gas - If you ride your bike to work once a week this cuts your gasoline consumption and costs by 20% (for a five-day workweek).  Ride twice a week?  You've cut your commuting-gas cost by 40%.  And riding your bike will also save wear and tear on your vehicle's tires and engine. 

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