2nd October 2017. Cycling isn't just a sport ? at its heart, it is just another mode of transportation. When bicycles first arrived, that's certainly a core part of their function. Competitive racing and long-distance endurance cycling, plus the avid fitness community that surrounds biking, all came much later. For many years, it was just a means for getting from Point A to Point B. Whether you want to save money on petrol, or you're hoping to "go green" in your life, why not consider spending less time in your car and more time in the saddle? You could choose to commute to work or to run basic errands. Believe it or not, some people even do their grocery shopping on a bicycle. Commuting by bike means you'll spend a lot more time on two wheels, though, and it can be a lot different than cycling for fitness. You may even need a different bike altogether to safely and comfortably complete your commutes. What do you need to keep in mind to make this effort a success? Here are some helpful hints to start you on the way to an eco-friendlier and fitness-focused way to commute.

Why commute by bike at all?

Why should you give up the air-conditioned comfort of your car to ride a bike to work or the grocery store? While it might seem like a selfish consideration, it's not unreasonable ? especially in the hottest parts of the summer months. You don't have to sell your car to commute by bike. You'll see drastically reduced expenses, however, regarding how much cash you have to spend on petrol. You'll put less wear and tear on your vehicle, too, so over time it will provide you with a longer life and more reliable performance. Beyond saving money, there are other benefits. You could actually shave time off your commute. Do you find yourself stuck in traffic all the time? Traffic jams are frustratingly common, but bikes allow you to zip around them without a worry. While you won't want to cycle through a commute that takes you several hours by car or train, you will be able to cut down your transit times in almost every other situation. In the meantime, you also get to enjoy the fresh air of the day, see the sights of your city on the way to work, and ? of course ? improve your body! Even cycling to work is good for your heart and lungs, and doing so five or six days out of the week will build up tonnes of endurance over the months. Taken all together, you gain far more than you lose by leaving your car at home.

What type of bike should you use to commute?

Choosing the right bike for your commute is essential. Otherwise, you'll end up halfway through your commuting-by-bicycle-single-speedcommute only to find that you feel uncomfortable and unhappy. If you try to take your racing bike or a model geared towards fitness to work, the small saddle and low carrying capacity will make it a gruelling trip. Instead, you want to consider a road bike or a touring bike that has more features aimed at commuters. We often use road bikes for fitness, but they can do double duty, especially if you replace the seat with a more comfortable one. These are ideal for shorter commutes or those with terrain differences, such as hills. Choose a multi-speed road bike in those cases. If you have items to transport or a longer commute, a more comfortable touring bike, usually in a single-speed configuration, will suit you better. With these, you can add saddlebags and customise the look of the bike to your liking. Since these cycles feature construction for comfort and commuting, you can trust that it will provide the level of reliability you need to get you in to work. However, how far should you be willing to travel when you commute by bike? That's another important question to consider.

Figuring out your ideal cycling commute distances

You want to be able to travel comfortably, arriving at your destination without being exhausted and without being too sweaty and worked up from your ride. With that in mind, you should carefully measure the distance between your home and your place of employment, or the other destinations to which you'll commute. A commute of up to about eight kilometres is easily doable on your bike, and you'll find it's a total breeze once you work up the right amount of endurance. Doubling that ? going up to 16 km from home ? is still possible, but you will start to "feel the burn" on your way to work. Anything above 20 kilometres quickly enters the territory where you may be better off travelling by car. On the hottest days and those with rainy or snowy weather, going so far by bike will not only be uncomfortable but will require tonnes of extra considerations. Since you're doing this to try to simplify your commute, that isn't ideal. Try to keep your distances short and reasonable unless you're truly a super cyclist.

Kitting up: gear you need to commute by bike

What cycling gear do you need to bring with you to make your commute a success? Every cyclist has their equipment preferences, but there are a few things everyone should consider. A sturdy saddle bag that fits your bike is one essential item, especially if you are going in to work. Inside this bag, you can keep all your work items, including a fresh change of clothes if necessary, as well as your cycle repair kit. If you blow a tyre or break the chain on your ride in, you'll want to be able to correct the problem as fast as possible. You can also stash some large body wipes in your bag; these allow you to quickly wipe down when you make it to work, leaving you feeling refreshed. Don't forget a good water bottle, a pair of sunglasses, and even some sunblock. You don't want to show up to work cherry red with the beginnings of a severe sunburn, after all! You can also use a mobile phone mount to provide you with an easy way to follow along with GPS directions, or to listen to your favourite tunes on the way. As a final modification, consider adding some improved mud guards to your bike ? you don't want to splash dirty water or mud from the road onto your clothes.

Safety, weather, & more: other considerations

When cycling to work, be very aware of your surroundings. If you intend to listen to music, consider bone conducting headphones; you will need to be able to listen for traffic. Keep your head "on a swivel" by continually examining your surroundings, and be aware of the safest places to ride. This strategy will reduce the risk you expose yourself to when sharing the road with other vehicles. When possible, wear bright commuting clothing or items that feature strips of reflective material. What about the weather? In the rain, you'll need to be extra cautious. Wear a poncho or another protective item to keep yourself from getting too wet on your ride in to work; this is another good item to store in your saddlebag or backpack. If severe weather with lightning and thunder is in the forecast, consider using your car instead of the bicycle that day. The reduced visibility, wet roads, and threat of lightning strikes add up to too many risks to take just getting to work in one piece.

Do your bit and get fit at the same time

With more people than ever turning their minds towards being more environmentally friendly, hopping on your bike to commute can be an easy but impactful way to contribute. Plus, when you consider the money you might save ? and the fitness benefits ? suddenly it begins to look even more attractive. By making the right preparations, from your bike to your gear, and knowing your limits, you can enjoy cycle commutes without ever missing the air-conditioned interior of your vehicle. You might even discover you find more new and interesting things in your community when you travel by bicycle ? so why wait? Explore your options!