Driving sucks, ride your bike
“Going green” is often equated with a simpler lifestyle. And, when I landed a new job that was close enough (& casual enough) for me to ride my bike to work, I was psyched! Well, it has turned out to be quite a process, turning this city girl into a bicycle commuter. Here are some nuggets of advice:
1. You’re only human – it’s ok to fail. Don’t beat yourself up if you are feeling lazy on a Tuesday morning & decide to drive. Just try to not drive two days in a row.
2. Avoid getting sweaty. The best way to do this is to set up camp at work. Carrying that purse/murse (Urban Dictionary Defn #2) back & forth is probably unnecessary. So, think about what you need at work & leave it there (i.e. chap stick, coffee cup, notepad, dress shoes). Bottom line: the bigger the bag, the sweatier the back. Oh, and if you bring your lunch to work (like I try to) get yourself a bike rack so you don’t have to carry tupperware on your back.
3. No one likes a braggart. The more your talk about how you’ve gone green, the more you will be proud of yourself and, thus, keep it up. But, try to not push your bike-riding ways onto your coworkers, your spouse, or the baggirl at Whole Foods. Go ahead & tell people about it, but not too much. Lead by example.
Does riding my bike to work simplify my life? Not Really. But I’m gonna keep it up anyway.
Resources:
Ken Kifer Tricks and Tips for Bicycle Commuting
bikecommuters.com For Inspiration, Ideas & Chuckles
commutebybike.com The Slacker’s Guide to Bike Commuting
looked up braggart, have been pronouncing it with a final d, thanks, i learned something today
starting up may be tough but once you’ve got it down, biking is the best! to keep things simple and safe, i love these minimalist
led bike lights. the bungee cord lets you strap them on to anything and the magnetic switch is very cool.
good luck!
The biggest problem I run into when it comes to daily commuting on a bike is the fine line between sweating your butt off and being prepared for the torrential downpour that leaves you drenched by mother nature. I’m still trying to find a rain suit that doesn’t leave you dry from the rain, but soaked in sweat. Gore-Tex? Bikebrella? SaunaSuit?