| For
the Environment:
Bicycle
commuters do not pollute the air or require extensive roadways
or parking lots.
For
Convenience:
Bicycles
take you door-to-door or directly to where you are going.
So you no longer circle for a parking space or sit in traffic
jams. In urban areas, a bicycle is the fastest transportation
for trips of five miles or less.
For
Your Health:
When
you commute by bicycle, you don’t have to make time
for exercise: it is a normal part of your daily routine.
To
Save Money:
By
leaving your car home, you save on fuel, wear and tear, and
parking fees, easily doubling the life of your car. If you
can eliminate a car, you’ll save thousands of dollars
per year in payments, insurance, and maintenance.
GETTING
STARTED
There’s
a saying that “you never forget how to ride a bicycle,”
but it would be a mistake just to jump onto your old ten-speed
and pedal off to work.
Equipment:
| •
|
A
“city bike” or mountain bike is much more
reliable, and only slightly slower than a super-lightweight
racing bike. |
| •
|
An
ugly bike is less likely to be stolen; some people even
deliberately spray-paint their bicycles to make them ugly
so they won’t get stolen! |
Some
essential equipment you’ll need:
| •
|
a
baggage rack and/or a small backpack; |
| •
|
a
good lock, helmet, and bicycling gloves; |
| •
|
fenders
and a raincape for wet weather; |
| •
|
lights
if you’ll be returning after dark; and |
| •
|
a
small tool kit for minor repairs. |
Getting
To Work:
How
are your riding abilities? Most traffic is manageable if you
can ride smoothly and predictably, and communicate with the
drivers around you.
Here
are some other tips for city riding:
| •
|
If
you are not used to riding in traffic, build up to it,
starting with the weekend rides offered by local organizations
of bicyclists. |
| •
|
Know
your route. Estimate how long it will take to ride and
how long it will take to park your bike. |
| •
|
Leave
a little extra time for rush-hour conditions. |
Parking:
Where
will you store your bike and equipment while at work?
| •
|
For
security and to avoid rain damage, bring the bike indoors
and lock it if possible. |
| •
|
If
management doesn’t let bikes into your office, look
around the neighborhood for a parking garage where you
can lock your bike in sight of the attendant. |
| •
|
If
you wear nice clothes at work, change clothes after you
get to work. Use a washroom to change, freshen up, and
cool down. |
What
If?
What
are your alternatives if:
| •
|
you
discover that your bicycle has a flat tire as you prepare
to go to work; |
| •
|
the
weather turns bad; or |
| •
|
a
coworker wants to go shopping with you after work? |
There are good answers to these questions!
| •
|
Keep
a change of clothes at work. |
| •
|
If
you have two bikes, keep one as a spare, ready to go if
the other one isn’t. |
| •
|
A
folding bicycle in a carrying bag can go on public transportation
or in the trunk of a small car, so you can bring it home
for the trip to work the next morning. |
FOR
EMPLOYERS
Bicycle
commuting pays off for you, too! Employees who commute by
bicycle save you money by reducing expenses for car parking,
improving employee job performance, and reducing absenteeism
due to improved health and fitness.
Parking:
Provide
safe parking spaces for bicycles, like a storage room or sheltered
parking place that permits use of modern U-shaped locks.
Showers:
Provide
facilities for bicyclists to freshen up after getting to work,
at least a washroom. Showers and lockers are ideal.
Flexible
Hours:
Offer
a flex-time schedule so employees can avoid peak time congestion
and fumes.
Article
provided by: MassBike. For more information, log onto: www.massbike.org
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