Pedal Power – Advice from a Boston Bicycle Commuter

by Cher Kore, Kameleon Healing Aromatherapy

After years of considering bicycling to work, I finally made the move to buy my bicycle and educate myself about riding. Many positives seemed obvious: I could exercise while commuting, save money, and be environmentally responsible at the same time.

Anxieties held me back: dangerous drivers, unpredictable weather, and concern that my bike would be stolen. The more I learned from other cyclists and bicycle professionals, however, the more the benefits seemed to multiply while fears were put to rest.

Co-workers who biked to work in invariably had shorter commutes than those of us who drove or took public transit. Bikes can slide past traffic jams and easily take shortcuts through parks. In a city like Boston, finding parking takes almost as much time as the commute itself, but bike racks are easy to find. Additionally, many city bike commuters do not even own cars, saving thousands of dollars in payments, insurance, and gas each year. Even those who need a car for other reasons still save a bundle on gas, automotive wear and tear, low mileage insurance discounts, and parking.

Once commuting by bicycle, I also started experiencing some unexpected rewards. My previously high stress level disappeared and I was relating to people better. I hadn't fully realized the mental fatigue created by traffic and the daily witnessing of road rage. Some of my enhanced mood undoubtedly came from exposure to direct sunlight. Sunlight not only enhances your mood, but also adds to your vitamin D intake. Being outside and close to the world made me feel young and more a part of my city. And, I was having fun.

Many aspects I had seen as negative were easily remedied or simply untrue.

What Will My Employer Think?
 
I had feared my employers might see biking as unprofessional, but they didn’t. In fact, I arrive at work happy and my attitude spreads to my peers. My energy extends into the rest of my day.

What Should I Wear?

I had been concerned about attire, but a little bit of research and experience gave me some simple guidelines:

• Cyclists should wear neither loose clothing that could get caught in the wheels, nor clothing that restricts movement. Loose skirts at knee length or higher are fine to bike in, as are leggings and comfortable pants. If you have a strict dress code or prefer other fashions it's easy enough to load a backpack and change at work.
• Cyclists must wear proper shoes that will not accidentally slip off. There are many styles of shoes available today that are both chic and functional.
• I biked all winter. As long as the visibility was clear and the road conditions were good enough, I'd pedal in, layering my clothes to keep warm. I'd wear thick gloves, a long scarf wrapped around my mouth and nose, and a hood under my helmet. Also, the fact that I was moving my body kept me nice and toasty. I did have problems getting splashed with mud on the road. Once I had fenders installed, that problem was solved. Mudguards are another alternative.

Will I Be Safe? 
 
My biggest concern was for safety. Boston drivers can indeed lack judgment. Pedestrians jaywalk and are often not alert. However, a cyclist can take steps to be defensive:

• It is critical to wear a helmet to protect yourself against head injury if you fall.
• Put flashing lights on the front and back of your bike and/or clothes, especially if you ride at night.
• Do not wear headphones; you need to hear the traffic around you.
• Get a bike that fits your body and learn how to use it properly.
• Follow traffic rules and be alert. You are no more privileged than an automobile driver; so never bike the wrong way down a one-way street; stop at red lights; yield for pedestrians. Stay on the right most part of the road and use hand signals when turning.
• Keep your bike well maintained. Faulty brakes, flat tires, and broken gears are a danger to yourself and others on the road.
• If the weather conditions affect your visibility or grip on the road, be smart, don’t bike that day.
• Learn routes to avoid misadventures such as minefields of potholes or road construction.

Will My Bike Be Stolen?
 
Every cyclist needs to take steps against getting their bike stolen. Invest in a good lock and learn how to lock your bike correctly so wheels don’t get stolen. If you don’t anticipate having to take your bike apart, it is a good idea to have the front wheel and seat bolted on, and to lock the main part of your bike and back wheel to a bike rack. 
 
Now that I am a fully oriented Boston cyclist, I find people are just as curious as I was before I started. People ask me questions and end the conversation with, "Maybe I should try taking my bike to work."  Yes, you should - safely and responsibly.

Comments

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[Verigo]

Thank you for this great post. I'll be moving back to Boston this September and I hope to get a bike instead of a car. I also have the same concerns you had, but I feel better now. I am greatly looking forward to this new experience.

Cheers.

[Cher]

Thanks Heather. It's getting close to prime biking weather. Take it for a spin around the block and see how you feel.

[Heather]

Cher,

This is a great article...I've often thought about dusting off my cycle and using it more often. With two young children, I find it tough to coordinate, but then again, just like lots of other things, it's all in how we manage our time.

Thanks!