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6 tips to get ready for bike to work week

May 27, 2022

Found in Activities, Skills and tips

Get ready to roll. Whether your city calls it Bike Month, Go By Bike Week or Bike to Work Week, it’s the time of year when people discover (or rediscover) the efficiency and fun of life on two wheels. Here are a few helpful tips to boost your pedal power.

1. Find a great route

A little planning goes a long way. There’s a good chance the route you drive or take transit won’t be best route for biking. Find your local cycling map to see what infrastructure exists; for example, Toronto has its own Toronto Cycling Map. You can usually link routes together to avoid busy traffic areas.

Google maps also has a “biking” layer (under map details) to help you create a route, though be warned: sometimes it can give some odd suggestions for riding, so you may want to use it as a starting point and fine-tune your own route from there.

One of the best route-finding tips? Ask a fellow bike commuter. They’ll be more than happy to share advice on favourite quiet bike lanes and ways to skirt around hills.

2. Ease into it

When you’re planning your rides, give yourself a bit more time than you think you need. It’s totally fine to relax and not race to your destination – in fact, that’s part of what makes biking enjoyable. You may need a couple minutes when you arrive to change and lock up too.

If you’re new to your bike route, it may be useful to try some practice rides on quiet weekends to get the hang of it before bike lanes get busy at rush hour. And if the idea of biking a full week feels outside of your comfort zone, try a single day out to start.

Cyclist putting on a bike helmet with their bike in the background

3. Get your bike ready

You don’t need a fancy bike to ride to work, but you do need a functional one. First, pump up your tires – they’ll lose air pressure even if your bike was just sitting in your garage or bike storage all winter. Next, give your chain some TLC. It likely needs a bit of lube and it might even benefit from a nice cleaning. Check out our videos and tips on how to clean and lube your chain (it’s easier than you think and is incredibly satisfying). For squeaks and creaks you can’t fix, stop by your local MEC bike shop for a tune up.

Finally: accessorize. You’ll need a bell, front white light and rear red light. A well-fitting helmet is always recommended.

“I like to keep a plastic grocery bag in my backpack in case of rain. When I park my bike outside on a light showers day, I cover my bike saddle with the bag – dry seat, guaranteed.” – MEC staffer tip

4. Get yourself ready

There’s a huge range of personal preferences for what to wear for biking to work, school or on errands. Some people like to ride in their everyday clothes; others prefer bike tights and cycling jackets, then change at their destination. Just remember you want to be comfortable on the bike as well as when you reach your destination. Many bike trips are also short commutes, so many riders don’t feel like they need to shower when they arrive.

You’ll also want a way to bring lunch, your laptop and maybe a change of clothes. Panniers and a rack keep the load off your back, while a backpack is more convenient for walking around at your destination.

“Most of my bike to work clothes are just my gym clothes with two exceptions: a good bike jacket and bike gloves. They make a big difference.” – MEC staffer tip

Cyclist putting a U-lock inside their bike pannier attached to their bike rack

5. Lock it up, register your ride

Look into where to park your bike at your destination. There might be a special bike room, bike lockers or a covered space with bike racks; ask the building manager or other riders if you’re not sure.

A bike lock is a must for public places and not a bad idea for any bike storage room either. Most U-locks provide a high degree of security – check out our article on choosing a lock and how to lock up your bike for great tips and advice.

Another must many riders don’t know about: register your bike! 529 Garage is a free service that lets the bike community and even police know if your bike has been stolen – and more importantly, helps with recovery if it’s been found. Your area may also have their own bike-theft prevention program in place.

“If you plan to park your bike in public places, look for bike lights that are easy to take on and off, so you can bring them with you when you lock up.” – MEC staffer tip

6. Build your skills

Just because you know how to ride a bike doesn’t mean you know how to safely ride in a city. Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve biked, maybe you’re in a new neighourhood, or maybe you’ve never ridden near traffic before. If you’re not feeling confident, look into bike classes (yes, they exist for adults, and they’re fantastic). Check with your local or provincial bike advocacy group for info; many offer training materials and education.

Remember to follow the rules of the road, know how to turn at intersections, and know how to safely move with and overtake other road users. Be especially careful around parked cars, where drivers may be entering traffic suddenly, or where doors may be opening into your path. Be aware that some drivers fail to yield right-of-way, so making eye contact with drivers is big; assume that no one sees you. Wherever you ride – quiet street or busy bike route – you’ll want to communicate with drivers and other cyclists. Shoulder check and brush up on your hand signals (left-hand turn, stop, right-hand turn) and use them.

Have a fun and safe season of cycling! The MEC staffer community will be kicking off this month by tracking our total bike commute kilometres for some friendly competition between locations. Like the sounds of co-workers who ride? If you’re passionate about the outdoors – we’re hiring.


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