Make sure your bike is functioning properly. Your tyres should be pumped up and free of cuts, holes and have a decent amount of tread. Your brakes and gears should function at 100%, if in doubt have it serviced. Your bike needs to be as reliable as your car, so don't risk it. You should carry, at the very least, a pump and puncture repair kit. Flat tyres will happen, no matter what you do, they just happen, be prepared for the worst and you will always make it to work. Carrying other tools is a good idea, but a tool is only as good as it's operator. We recommend carrying certain items so it's a good idea to learn a few simple bike tuning skills that will help you use those tools.
Being visible is important. Cyclists, even when driving, will spot other cyclists but your average driver is attuned to us and can completely miss our presence. This is why we sell lights, bright clothing and reflective vests and bands. Lights and reflectors are required by law, we recommend a front and rear light at the very least. Most kits you can buy are a front and rear light that will just let people know you are there, the front light won't let you see much in the dark, and the rear is only going to attach to the frame or seat post. To achieve more effective visibility we recommend a rechargeable front light that sits on the front of the helmet, these can be expensive but they are light and will rival a cars headlight for brightness. A rear light that is at a drivers eye level is also a good investment, be it extremely bright or just a single LED it makes a huge difference.
Reflective vests and/or clothing with reflective strips are a must, especially in winter as they really let the drivers know you're there. The idea is to not only be safe, but to feel safe. You should enjoy your ride without stress or worry and to not have any incidents with motorists.
Hone in those riding skills, a big problem I notice is that a lot of riders don't ride predictably nor safely. One school of thought is to tell riders to ride aggressively, as it forces cars to make room. This is not only hostile but is really only safe for extremely experienced riders, and even then can lead to problems. Riders do need to be confident, and utilise the road according to what makes them feel safe, and according to the law but this doesn't mean that you ride at 10 KPH in the middle of the lane on a highway. Learn the roads and take note of how the drivers use it, you can't change their habits, even if they are bad ones, it's the way it is. It's best to single any turns you want to make, and make any movements slow and deliberate. If you're not confident riding in full traffic then use other parts of the road, or take back-streets. Keep your eyes on the road, and in front of you at all times. Do not look at the road in front of your wheel, look down the road 20 metres or so, it helps you balance and keeps your eyes ready for things happening in the periphery.
Commuting to work is a great way to save money, lose weight and help the environment, however it can be intimidating for an inexperienced cyclist. Here are a few tips for making the transition.
