Cycling to work
An essential guide
Cycling to work is great for your health and fitness, cheaper than the bus and good for the environment. If you’ve decided to take the plunge and cycle to work, follow our tips to help you get started and stay safe on your daily commute. Choose the right bike If you don’t already have one, the first thing you’ll need is a good bike. The three most popular types of bikes are road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrids. A hybrid is a cross between a road bike and mountain bike. Choose a bike that you’ll want to ride and that suits your lifestyle, for example, if you like off road cycling on the weekends, a mountain bike might be the best choice for you. You could even choose an electric bike or a folding bike if you are combining your commute with a train or bus journey.
Find out about cycle to work schemes These days, many employers offer cycle to work schemes, which usually allow staff to rent a bike and deduct the charge from their salary before tax. Other companies, including fast broadband provider Plusnet, now participate in schemes that give employees a free loan of a bike to encourage more people to cycle to work. Make sure you find out if you employer offers a similar cycle scheme.
Understand cycle laws and etiquette There are specific laws for cycling on the roads, so make sure you brush up on the rules that you’ll need to follow on your way to work. If you do cycle on the roads, you must adhere to all traffic signs and signals as if you were a motorist. Many cyclists recommend that you should never cycle timidly, so be visible and confident when cycling on the roads.
Be a buddy to your fellow cyclists by letting them know that you are passing them, helping them if they fall or get a puncture and warn them of any upcoming hazards.
Be prepared with accessorise Equip your bike with the essentials to keep you safe on the road. Some of the most important things you’ll need are: • • •
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Front and rear lights – for those foggy mornings and dark, wintry evenings. Helmet – while it’s not the law to wear a helmet, it’s definitely advisable for cycle safety. Reflective strip or fluorescent vest – it’s a good idea to have a reflective strip on your backpack or to wear a fluorescent vest so motorists can see you. A bell – essential for overtaking and warning runners and walkers. Wet weather clothing – be prepared for all seasons and brave the elements. Bike kit, including a puncture repair kit and a lock – it may be annoying to carry around, but much less annoying than walking your bike all the way home with a flat tyre. And a lock is essential to deter thieves.
Find a cycle route If you’d prefer not to cycle on the roads, many cities in the UK have great cycle path networks and cycle lanes so you can plan out a safe route that you are comfortable with. Sustrans is a great place to start to find out more about safe cycling routes in the UK.
Cycling is a fantastic way to get to work, so get out there and enjoy it!