Tips for Biking to Work

Biking to work is a great way to take advantage of the great summer weather here in Bel Air, MD. Plus, it’s great to do your part to keep the environment a little cleaner. We don’t want your biking to have any problems, so we’ve compiled a list of ways you can make your commute (or simple bike ride) more enjoyable, more convenient, and safer as you head out of your apartment at The Park at Winters Run this season.

Tuning Your Bike

Before you put your bike through the works, you’ll want to make sure it’s safe enough to ride. Plan on stopping by your local bike shop to have them prepare your faithful steed. By utilizing one of their accredited bike mechanics, you’ll be able to make sure you have the right tires and gear to get to and from your destination. If you don’t have a bike, you’ll be able to ask them to help you find the bike that’s perfect for your commute.

Researching Your Route

If this is your first time biking to work, you might not know how to find the right route. Thankfully, someone’s already done most of the research for you. Google Maps includes a comprehensive list of nearly every bicycle-friendly road. By utilizing their street view, you’ll be able to preview your road of choice. We would also recommend taking a test ride with a friend — to and from work — to make sure you feel confident enough for the wonderful rides ahead. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to utilize roads with wide shoulders, protected bike lanes, and less busy roads.

Working Up To The Task

Your first ride to and from work might take the wind out of you, especially if you’re not used to the extra exercise. But don’t give up! It’s going to take a little while to get used to the learning curve, so feel free to take your time. Before you even take the full commute, you could just practice biking around the neighborhood and slowly add on longer distances until you feel comfortable for biking to work. When you do, be sure to leave early enough so you don’t have to rush, and start out by commuting a few days a week until you feel comfortable with the ride and can commit to more.

What are your best tips for making a bike commute to work? Share your thoughts with us in the comments! Thanks for reading. Stay safe, and good luck!