FAQ
How do I choose a Route to work?: Consider your bicycling ability and the type of bicycle. Test ride the route several times! Try a weekend morning or an after work ride. Choose a route you are familiar with and within your ability. Try to avoid heavily traveled roads and hilly terrain when possible. Longer distance means more time on the bike meaning an earlier start in the morning. To find an acceptable route in Houghton and Hancock, visit the local bike maps created by Bike Initiative Keweenaw!
I am not comfortable riding in the morning: Let us know your route by using the contact form or by emailing info@bikeinitiativekeweenaw.org. We may be able to find a mentor partner for you to ride with. Practice ride your route several times – with a partner and then by yourself.
What happens if I have a flat tire or mechanical problem? Think of it as part of the adventure. Learn to change a tire, fix a broken chain and deal with a broken spoke. Many of us carry a cell phone when we ride so we can call for help! Additional resources can be found at a local bike shop.
I don’t want to get sweaty and/or dirty: If you need to wear business attire at work, such as a skirt or shirt and tie, wear cycling clothes as you ride to work. Carry your work clothes in a backpack , messenger bag or in cycling bags call panniers or bring the appropriate number of day’s clothing to work by car. Some people drive to work on Wed am with a bike and several days of work clothing. They bike home Wed night, bike back & forth on Thursday and bike to work on Friday. Friday evening they drive home with dirty clothes and the bike. Cyclists riding shorter distances might ride in their work clothes.
How do I clean up at work? Most commuters ride at an easy pace that reduces sweating. Ride slow on your way to work and ride fast home. If your employer offers a shower you are all set. Keep a shower kit (including a towel) at your workspace. Change at a fitness center or perhaps a hotel or school will provide facilities. No other option? Then try a sponge bath. Hang your cycling clothes in a closet or storage area to dry. Baby wipes work well to clean up when there is no shower. Try your cleanup system at home first after a weekend ride.
What about bad weather? You do not have to ride on bad weather days! The alternative is to buy a rain jacket that is breathable and has vents. Practice riding your route on a rainy no-working day. Keep a car at work or arrange a ride home if the bad weather is at the end of the day. Put fenders on your bike. They made a world of difference in wet weather.
Do I have to wear those tight shorts! Cycling shorts offer support to your quadriceps muscles and offer padding in the crotch. That is why cyclists wear the shorts! They come in the tight lycra or as baggy shorts. Both types of shorts are available at local bike shops.
Is a helmet necessary? Yes! Helmets may prevent head injury when you fall. You will find a helmet far less expensive than a hospital visit. Certain helmets have visors which help on sunny or rainy days. Bottom line- wearing a helmet will save your life. Not wearing a helmet may have very severe consequences.
What other safety issues should I be aware of? Most important: wear bright colored clothing with reflective tape. Use flashing LED lights! You must be visible to cars! Next, if riding in the dark, use a taillight and headlight. Third, communicate your route and estimated travel times to your family and co-workers. Finally, when riding the roads, please be predictable – act like a car!! Signal turns, stay on the far right side of the road and always ride with traffic! Wear a helmet mirror or put a mirror on your bike.
I’m not in shape: Start riding on evenings & weekends. Ride at an easy pace. The more you ride the better your fitness becomes. Ask to ride with others-groups are always more fun.
It takes too long: The more you ride the stronger and faster you will become. A bike will allow you to enjoy the scenery and prepare for your day. The ride home can be a tremendous stress reducer! Try driving part of the way and riding the rest!
There is no bike parking at work: Bring your bike inside into a storage area. Or lock it to a solid permanent object like a tree. Some riders bring their bike into their offices and store it in another room. Ask your employer to install a bike rack.
My bike is old or beat up. Bring it to a local bike shop and tell them you are bike commuting. Have the shop do a complete tune-up and repair as needed. Have the shop show you how to do some of the bike tune-up. Do this several weeks before B2W Day.
I need to run errands during the day or travel around town: Install a rack on the back of your bike and a bike bag (pannier) to carry things. If you need to drive, keep a car at work or borrow a co-worker’s. If your errands or visits are close – travel by bike. Adjust your work schedule to allow time for traveling by bike.
Adapted from the League of American Bicyclists: http://bikeleague.org/BikeMonthGuide
See more safety tips at Bicycle Safe: http://bicyclesafe.com/
I am not comfortable riding in the morning: Let us know your route by using the contact form or by emailing info@bikeinitiativekeweenaw.org. We may be able to find a mentor partner for you to ride with. Practice ride your route several times – with a partner and then by yourself.
What happens if I have a flat tire or mechanical problem? Think of it as part of the adventure. Learn to change a tire, fix a broken chain and deal with a broken spoke. Many of us carry a cell phone when we ride so we can call for help! Additional resources can be found at a local bike shop.
I don’t want to get sweaty and/or dirty: If you need to wear business attire at work, such as a skirt or shirt and tie, wear cycling clothes as you ride to work. Carry your work clothes in a backpack , messenger bag or in cycling bags call panniers or bring the appropriate number of day’s clothing to work by car. Some people drive to work on Wed am with a bike and several days of work clothing. They bike home Wed night, bike back & forth on Thursday and bike to work on Friday. Friday evening they drive home with dirty clothes and the bike. Cyclists riding shorter distances might ride in their work clothes.
How do I clean up at work? Most commuters ride at an easy pace that reduces sweating. Ride slow on your way to work and ride fast home. If your employer offers a shower you are all set. Keep a shower kit (including a towel) at your workspace. Change at a fitness center or perhaps a hotel or school will provide facilities. No other option? Then try a sponge bath. Hang your cycling clothes in a closet or storage area to dry. Baby wipes work well to clean up when there is no shower. Try your cleanup system at home first after a weekend ride.
What about bad weather? You do not have to ride on bad weather days! The alternative is to buy a rain jacket that is breathable and has vents. Practice riding your route on a rainy no-working day. Keep a car at work or arrange a ride home if the bad weather is at the end of the day. Put fenders on your bike. They made a world of difference in wet weather.
Do I have to wear those tight shorts! Cycling shorts offer support to your quadriceps muscles and offer padding in the crotch. That is why cyclists wear the shorts! They come in the tight lycra or as baggy shorts. Both types of shorts are available at local bike shops.
Is a helmet necessary? Yes! Helmets may prevent head injury when you fall. You will find a helmet far less expensive than a hospital visit. Certain helmets have visors which help on sunny or rainy days. Bottom line- wearing a helmet will save your life. Not wearing a helmet may have very severe consequences.
What other safety issues should I be aware of? Most important: wear bright colored clothing with reflective tape. Use flashing LED lights! You must be visible to cars! Next, if riding in the dark, use a taillight and headlight. Third, communicate your route and estimated travel times to your family and co-workers. Finally, when riding the roads, please be predictable – act like a car!! Signal turns, stay on the far right side of the road and always ride with traffic! Wear a helmet mirror or put a mirror on your bike.
I’m not in shape: Start riding on evenings & weekends. Ride at an easy pace. The more you ride the better your fitness becomes. Ask to ride with others-groups are always more fun.
It takes too long: The more you ride the stronger and faster you will become. A bike will allow you to enjoy the scenery and prepare for your day. The ride home can be a tremendous stress reducer! Try driving part of the way and riding the rest!
There is no bike parking at work: Bring your bike inside into a storage area. Or lock it to a solid permanent object like a tree. Some riders bring their bike into their offices and store it in another room. Ask your employer to install a bike rack.
My bike is old or beat up. Bring it to a local bike shop and tell them you are bike commuting. Have the shop do a complete tune-up and repair as needed. Have the shop show you how to do some of the bike tune-up. Do this several weeks before B2W Day.
I need to run errands during the day or travel around town: Install a rack on the back of your bike and a bike bag (pannier) to carry things. If you need to drive, keep a car at work or borrow a co-worker’s. If your errands or visits are close – travel by bike. Adjust your work schedule to allow time for traveling by bike.
Adapted from the League of American Bicyclists: http://bikeleague.org/BikeMonthGuide
See more safety tips at Bicycle Safe: http://bicyclesafe.com/