Curious About Biking to Work? Here's Exactly How to Get Started

"Many bike commuters use urban or city bikes," says Rich Conroy, a certified cycling coach and education director at Bike New York. Urban and city bikes are typically hybrid or comfort bikes, although commuters sometimes opt for folding bikes, which you can — what else? — fold up and carry with you.

Here's what to know about each type of bike, according to Conroy:

• ​Hybrid bikes​ share features of road and mountain bikes for a more commute-friendly ride. They generally have wider tires and higher handlebars than road bikes and slimmer, lighter frames than mountain bikes. (Mountain bikes are built for off-road cycling, with thick tires and strong wheels. They are not as fast as other types of bikes.)
• ​Comfort bikes​ were created for easy, short rides on flat terrain. Similar to mountain bikes, they have large, wide tires, but with higher air volume to provide a smoother ride, as well as other features for more cushion.
• ​Folding bikes​ are bikes with fewer features that can be folded up to carry with you into your office, a perk in densely populated areas.
• ​Electric bikes​ offer a traditional bike experience with the added benefit of an electric motor for when you could use a little help up that super steep hill.

You'll need to make sure your bike fits you properly, or you risk an uncomfortable or even painful ride (looking at you, saddle sores). Experts at your local bike shop can help with this a bit better than employees at big box retailers can (and they offer a more personalized experience than reading product descriptions online).

Your commuting bike should also have the following features and equipment, Conroy says:

• Fenders to keep off rain and mud, such as ones from Planet Bike (starting at $13, Amazon)
• A rear rack, including those from Topeak ($48, Amazon) or Axiom ($41, Amazon)
• Containers or panniers (bags that hang over the side of a bike) to put on your rear rack to carry your belongings, like these from Ortlieb ($155, Amazon)
• Front and rear lights, which are required by most cities and towns, such as these by Cygolite ($50, Amazon)
• A bell to alert people around you; Mirrycle's Incredibell comes in a wide range of fun colors (starting at $10, Amazon).

If you keep your bike in a public place, you'll also need a bike lock. While cable locks are popular, they are easily cut, Conroy says. Most experts recommend using a hardened steel U-lock paired with a cable, like this one from Kryptonite ($77.95, Amazon).

If your commute is short enough, you might be able to wear your work clothes while biking to the office, especially if your dress code is casual. You can use a backpack to carry your laptop, lunch and other essential belongings.

But for longer rides, or on particularly sweaty days, you may need to commute in clothes other than your office attire and bring a change with you. Conroy, who has a seven-mile commute, keeps his work clothes in waterproof panniers on the rear rack of his bike.

Your regular workout clothes should be just fine, he adds. "There's no need to wear bicycling-specific athletic clothing, since you're not racing or riding for long distances."

If you have a shower available where you work or at a nearby gym that's open, you can bring your toiletries and towel. If not, keep a small toiletry kit at the office or bring one with you. Stock it with deodorant, wipes, hair products, makeup and whatever else you might need to freshen up after your ride.

• Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Ride defensively, remaining alert for pedestrians, runners, other riders and drivers, as well as for intersections and driveways.
• Ride at least four feet away from parked vehicles to avoid being hit by a door or cars pulling out of spaces quickly.
• Use hand signals for turns and to slow and stop.
  
• Avoid passing vehicles on the right if you are going straight. Instead of letting you by, the driver might turn right and trap or hit you.
  
• Alert slower riders when passing by saying loudly, "On your left."

But there are also commuting-specific tips to keep in mind:

​Choose the smartest route and practice using it.​ The most direct route may not be the safest. Plan your route using the bike lane feature on Google Maps or check with a local bike shop, where print maps may be available, says Eliana Marcus-Tyler, program coordinator of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Before your first bike commute, do a practice ride on a slower weekend day, she says.

​Allow for extra time.​ Even after you've planned and practiced your route, traffic, the weather, an accident or other hiccups might still make you late for work. Trying to make up time by riding at breakneck speed could lead to injury. Prepare for these possibilities by giving yourself more time than you need for your ride.

​Have a back-up plan.​ It's not as fun to bike in the rain, snow, extreme heat or cold. It can also be dangerous. If you know the weather will be iffy, plan on driving, taking a taxi or ride-share or using public transportation instead.

Visit the websites of your local public transportation to learn about the rules for bringing your bike onboard. Each city has different regulations about allowing bikes on various modes of transit, and you want to know what you're facing should unexpected bad weather mess up your return trip.