Try to find new routes to take to work/ school/ wherever. I've found some of my best rides have been while exploring new areas/ side streets of my city. Plus, you may find a more efficient way to get to your destination.
My tip would be: If you are commuting to work, practise your route on a weekend to get used to how long it takes, any potential dangerous areas, and if you can make any improvements to the route.
worry less about how thick your clothing is when it gets cool and more about exposed skin. You stay fairly warm when riding a bike so long as you don't have exposed skin. also, remember the joints! your gloves might have a gap at the wrist or jacket and the neck. It can be as simple as doing up the cuffs of your jacket and brining a buff/neck warmer/gator. I used to not notice how vented all my "summer gear" was until it got cold!
For those of us in Calgary remember you CAN take your bike on the train after rush hour. So that pub you road to downtown is not such a chore to get home from after! Home Road is not much fun after a beer...or two...or 4
A piece of advice I always give to folks who are nervous about starting to ride their bikes in urban traffic: don't forget that you always have the option to get off and walk your bike on the sidewalk for a bit! If you hit a stretch where the traffic is scaring you, or a hill that's uncomfortably steep, or especially a left turn at a busy intersection, you can always hop off the bike, become a pedestrian until you're past the problem area, and then start riding again. I've been bicycle commuting for over twenty years, and I still do this sometimes!
Yep, i do this often, usually to get around yet another set of traffic cones thrown down by a utility firm who needs access to their pipes or cables. These areas are never cycle friendly.
One thing I would add: get fenders. They're not only good for keeping your backside clean on sloppy days; they're also really useful for keeping your entire bike cleaner and more functional throughout the winter. I would never even consider commuting on a bike without fenders.
I bike commuted in fair weather for two years. Then I read your book and discovered your channel. I rode all year last year regardless of the weather. I have now ridden for 20 months five days a week and have not driven to work once. I gave up my $360 a year parking spot and then I sold my car. You are an inspiration.
One of my biggest tips for newbies would be to learn to ride defensively, but not submissively. On the first point, always try and leave yourself an out. If you have the right of way, but a car's creeping out from a side road, slow down if you have to, be ready to stop if they do suddenly pull out. Always assume that they don't see you. On the second point, Don't be afraid to take a dominant position in your lane. If you try and stay out of the way at the side of the road, cars will attempt to squeeze by when there's not enough space to do it safely, and you'll often be trapped far too close to curbs or parked cars. Far too many cyclists die from getting stuck in the door zone, and knocked into traffic when someone opens their door without looking. If there's not room for a car to safely pass you in the lane, or if that space disappears in the next 100m or so, you should ride far enough out that they have to pass you using the other lane (like they would pass a car). It may annoy some bad drivers, but you're better off getting honked/yelled at by some impatient jerk, than accidentally injured/killed when they think they have enough room to squeeze by.
@@Jono4174it is sad for the current state of roads in North America and a few European cities that will stay loyal to cars and cars only, the result is bigger cars through SUVs and trucks that pass the Environmental Protection Agency emission standards
Yea claiming the lane in Polk County Florida is a good way to get brained by a bottle. Rednecks hate cyclists. I have to ride into the grass whenever I see a lifted truck in my mirror.
I have commuted for over 40 years. A few things I've learned over the years: 1. It's rarely too cold to cycle- dress appropriately with layers that zip open when you warm up. A good windbreaker on top makes all the difference. I've found that what gets cold is my fingers and toes, so warm gloves and socks really help. Last, ALWAYS wear a helmet! For the first 20 years, I was lucky with no helmet until an old-timer told me "if you ride a lot, it's not IF you have an accident, it's WHEN you have an accident". I started wearing a helmet and it saved my life!
@NICHOLAS Rubianes he has a video about helmets and how they fit into culture in North America. Also covers the safety bit. I always wear a helmet, but it's a personal choice 🤷
I would add one more thing: avoid a backpack. Use a pannier rack or basket instead. Backpack = sweaty back. No matter how easy you go, no matter how great the ventilation of backpack the manufacturer claims to be. It took me way too long to understand it.
I used racks of all kinds and I prefer my Chrome messenger bag. The first reason is style. I care about cycling in style. Second, when I used a rear rack, it felt like it's pulling me back (and it's absolutely ugly) and a front rack made the bike a lot harder to shift. So ya, I feel very comfortable with my bag.
I agree that putting gear on the bike instead of your back is better. It's what I do, now. But it's a matter of degrees and won't make a big difference to newbie commuters, especially if they are taking the relaxed/slow approach to the biking anyway. I've been commuting to school and then work for the last forty years or so, and didn't upgrade to rack-mounted panniers until twenty years in. I was using a backpack until then and, while not ideal, it worked fine. It's hardly a _mistake_ to use a backpack.
I use a front pannier for commuting to work. However in the winter when the temps get down to -5C and lower, the backpack’s warming feature can be useful, not just for you, but for things like laptops and mobile phones.
Yup, I live in a pretty hot place so panniers on the rack and a front basket have been so helpful in being less sweaty. Plus I can carry more back from the grocery store.
I am 62 years old. I live in a small city of 23,000 people. I began commuting to work recently, after putting $141.00 of gas in my truck, and am now hooked. I now ride all over town for work, all my shopping and personal appointments. Wish I would have started this forty years ago. 👍 for your video.
@@Minelaughteri do not think you understand @RCPrepping ‘s comment, although his wording does not help the person out; i believe this person means that after realizing that they did spend a lot of money on gas for driving, they did start to bike for short trips as a way to save on gas - mico, (: a man part of gen z, age 18 :)
When you're just starting out. Don't plan for the most direct route like a car. "Plan for the most flat road route with small hill inclines." Even if it takes you a few kilometers more to reach your destination. The easiest route is the one where you spend less effort when cycling. When you get more fit from cycling regularly. Massive hills won't even be a challenge for you.
Also plan for the route with the best infrastructure. I regularly take a route home from work that is ten minutes longer than the shortest route possible (which is a lot considering the shortest route would be about ten minutes), but the longer route has a wide bike path through a quiet residential area while the shortest route is a small combined bike and pedestrian path along a four lane arterial road.
@@PETERJOHN101 Exactly. I have been continuously cycling since the sixties. It's actually a "dangerous" activity. 99% of the reason for this are people in cars who care not at all for the person on bicycle. Thanks to phones, it is now more dangerous than ever. Good luck!
@@gary7vn not to mention people who pull up past crosswalks at signs and intersections :/ i ride in the suburbs. No bikelanes at all, its like drivers want to hit me half the time.
Another tip would be to leave lots of extra time the first times you commute by bike. If you're not already a regular cyclist, you'll probably be pretty slow at first, but don't worry. After a few weeks your speed will probably improve a fair bit, even if you're riding at a fairly relaxed pace.
And you might need some time to figure out the best way, even if you looked it up on Google. For some routes look for alternatives if important parts are closed. I need to cross a river and the best bridge gets closed a few times a year. Right now a part of my route is closed for road construction for a longer time.
I guess this depends on the bike infrastructure but I feel a lot safer since I installed a rear-view mirror on my bike. In my country cyclists have to ride on the road alongside car traffic for the most part and it just makes me feel better to be able to check on what's going on behind me.
Mistake number 9: putting the bike away for the winter at the first hint of cooler weather. Just cover up with a couple of thin layers for breaking the wind, and cover the extremities, and you'll find you stay quite warm cycling. I have to laugh when people won't cycle in the winter because they say it's too cold, and then they head to the ski slopes on the weekends!
Just be wary of black ice. I know that I had an awful accident where I went down on a patch of black ice and landed on my bike lock in my rucksack, cracking several ribs and it scared me off winter cycling for a long while. People can avoid that painful experience by both having the lock in a pannier (seriously, anything that stops you landing on a bar of steel strapped to your back is a godsend if things go sideways) and just being gentler when pulling away from junctions in the winter, try to break the habit of trying to power away from a standstill if you do do that in the warmer months, makes it less likely you're rear will break traction with the road.
@@cesar6932 That's right, winter is very different depending on the country you're in. I wouldn't even dare bike in december/march because of the harsh conditions of the Canadian eastern lands and the way our cities take care of the snow
@Beater Bike Channel Oh, I would love to save 80$/month on bus passes in the winter if I could, it's really more that cycling lanes are for the most part ignored during the winter due to the cheer cost of clearing them of the 3 meters of snow we get each winter here in Quebec City. The roads, not even downtown, don't make it any easier, as the many "sub seasons" of winter give their share of problems, my favorite being January. (when it's -30/-40, it's so cold that not only will it always be sunny and air moisture isn't a thing, but the surface snow melted by direct exposure to the sun becomes ice right away)
I found that E biking allows my wife who broke her hip a few years ago and myself who had a recent knee replacement to get out and enjoy the outdoors in a way we could not physically do either regular bikes. And we ride so much further with electric assist than we’d ever be able to on regular bikes. And the physical workout that we get actually is the best thing for our disabilities. Thanks for your no nonsense approach to cycling and encouragement to get out there and do it in a way that’s fun and beneficial to the rider’s needs! At age 64 we’re still riding ever chance we get!
Because of a hip disability, I had to stop going on family bike rides during the pandemic. It sucked. But then my partner surprised me with an e bike and I join them on family bike rides again!!! ❤❤❤
My dad has a heart problem, and an e-bike has allowed him to exercise the way he likes without burdening his heart. I'm often surprised at the distance he's traveled with it in one go.
At first I turned up my nose at E-Bikes, (I know, my bad) but my cousin is in his 80s and was unable to ride for almost a decade and now he's out there every chance he gets. I have definitely changed my mind.
Same! So many people associate "cycling" with "MAMILs", which these people have negative views of, and it hurts the entire movement towards accessible cycling.
I would like to add that using helmets and wearing a reflective west for when it is dark is always a good choice. Better to be safe than sorry. Also i would like to add that an upright bicycle is preferable when riding daily amongst cars. Sitting upright will allow you to have a better view of your surrounding and also i just like how i don't have to support my whole weight on my arms while I'm biking.
Helmet and high vis is non-negotiable for anyone who understands asymmetric risk. Discomfort has slightly negative value. Death has infinitely negative value.
Well the helmet is a story with two sides, people with helmets tend to take bigger risks AND more importantly, other road users take more risks towards people wearing helmets. Both of those are subconscious. At the end it really depends of the type of commute you have. In my area head injuries doesn't even represent 1% of the accidents. Good lights and reflectors are mandatory though
I was wondering if I was the only one uncomfortable noticing a lack of helmets in all these videos haha. Reflective vests and lights have allowed me to stay safer with evening rides, too. Took me longer than it should've to adopt the vest.
As a Dutch person this was really fun to watch as a lot of your points I agree with, I always try to make my commute casual and relaxing by not biking too fast but I always forget mid ride and catch myself going twice as fast as I intended. It looks like your country is really opening up to biking as a mainstream way of commute and I hope things will only improve in the future for you. Happy biking!
@@przmroz no one wears a helmet here. Only young kids and elderly, and guess what, we have the least injured per ridden kilometer. There is a slight increase in ebike riders getting injured, but manly with elderly on tour rides, not commuters.
@@Shifter_Cycling Ok, but cleaning/deegreasing, and lubing the chain, and changing brake pads (and adjusting the brakes), as long as changing a flat tube, should be required.
I would encourage helmet use whenever you ride. There is no down side to it and it can save your life. Just as wearing a seat belt while driving. Starting commuters need more than just a bike to be safe. I would also encourage getting some kind of handlebar light and red tail light for safety. You also may need to ride after dark and have a good bell or horn. These are inexpensive today but really vital. Please do a video on bike lighting, bike bells and horns. A rain poncho in your backpack is also a good idea.
I was scrolling and waiting for someone to say this. Can’t believe not many other people are commenting about this either. I think you should always wear a helmet when you’re on a bike. Especially when you are on the road with distracted drivers.
100% for the helmet. And make sure you fit it correctly! You should be able to walk into a wall and the hard-shell peak hit the wall before your nose. Think of a car pulling out of a side street, and you fly over the bonnet/hood and try for that spread-eagled gravel-rashed face look - with a well fitting helmet, you get a slight mark on the bridge of your nose, and simply replace the helmet. (don't forget to wear gloves..). Actually happened to a friend doing ~20kph.
@stillFLiP There is a difference between the two sorts of accidents. Yes gloves are great for the reducing the minor hurts, scuffs and scrapes (along with cold or sunburn). However the life changing injuries from head injury are not to be trifled with. It compares with seatbelts - you never know the time or place where it will make the difference. Having had to make a number of hospital visits when son had concussion (with helmet & bad accident) I'm all for a well fitted helmet.
Honestly I didn't even bother watching the rest of the video after seeing them ride without it. It's 2021 adults really shouldn't still need to be told to wear a damn helmet.
Exactly! Also scrolled to see a comment on this. The minimum is not a bike. The minimum is a bike with a helmet and lights (esp. the back red light). The lights can at first be cheap. Cars come with safety integrated. Bikes don't, so we need to buy those things separately when we start riding. We really only have one brain.
love how you knock out the gatekeeping right off the bat. thank you. I got into cycling from bike commuting and always wondered why cyclists are so elitist.
When I was a child my elementary school offered bicycle training after classes. It was a one afternoon training program that covered the basics of safety, rules of the road, lights, signals and general bicycling courtesy. I think I recall that it was associated with the Elmer the Safety Elephant program. At the end you were given a pin that showed you had had the training. Me and most of my classmates mounted the pin on our bikes. I still remember what I was taught to this day. I ask kids today if they can get the same training and they usually don't know what I'm talking about. The program made such perfect sense that I cannot understand why they don't still provide it.
When I was in grade school in the 1990s, a police officer came to our school and did more or less the same type of program. I vaguely remember him putting out cones and stuff in the parking lot/paved play area (I can't recall which it was as its since been converted to a plastic mulch playground ) and having some of us ride through it
Keep it fun! My co-worker and I are both over 50 and recently both bought new bikes to be able to ride like when we were kids. Not only is it joyful, but therapeutic. My co-worker was spending a lot of time inside after losing her soulmate. Now, the bike is like a fun toy that excites her.
Hybrid bikes come in serval flavours. I find the mountain bike style with suspension forks, lots of gears and thick tyres ideal for the urban environment. Roads here are full of potholes, the hills are steep, I often have to jump kerbs, dodge broken glass and garbage, plus I can cycle down the off road trails in the area.
This is a great addition to what I said. This is the kind of thought I hope most people put into a hybrid bike before they purchase it. Thanks for adding great context.
Hybrid bikes are the SUV of the bike world. Not great on the trail, not fast on the road. I bought my hybrid 4 years ago when I was a commuter newb. I ride both my MTB and my road bikes on my commute too because the commute is only the part that gets you between destinations. Anyway, the big positive of hybrids is that most roads are not perfect. The hybrid is perfect for the imperfections. Cracks, dips, bumps, uneven pavement, small drops… So from an efficiency standpoint, the hybrid is great because it can handle these imperfections without a lot of loss of momentum or without damaging the bike.
commute in a full suspension mountain bike with lockout is much better. good grip on wet roads compared to thin tyres of road only bike. Also if properly tuned shocks it doesn't wobble during pedalling while still makes it smooth over bumps and bad roads kerbs etc.
Where I live there is a snobbery attached to cycling similar to what you mentioned in the video - an expectation to have the ‘right’ cycling clothing, usually an expensive racing bike, and to ride like there’s no tomorrow and get there real fast… I’m in my 50s and I found that I preferred riding an ebike rather than a racing bike as I had become very unfit after years of sitting at a desk. One day on my regular trip to work the wind was howling and it made getting up a good speed really hard, especially on the steeper sections of the route. When I came to the steepest part of the ride I was suddenly aware that nobody had passed me for quite a few minutes. I turned around to look behind and was very amused to see a long line of cyclists in the ‘right’ gear forming behind me and getting as close as possible to my rear wheel and to each other without trying to get past. It seems that having a huge Dutch ebike that can slog up hill and down at a constant speed in any weather was suddenly appreciated for the wind break I was providing them - and all the while I was helping everyone to make very decent progress in spite of the howling gale! I couldn’t help chuckling! As you said, it’s all about what works for you in your own situation.
This should be the 9th tip lol. When there is a headwind, even a slight one, there is always one other commuter on your back wheel feeling super fit, thinking you're going too slow, then they pass you aggressively only to slow down even more because they didn't realize that they were getting a free ride in your slip-stream the whole time.
When I was young and when UA-cam was young too, there weren’t that many aid videos on how to bike in the city or tips. So I thank you for making this video.
A tip: hybrid bikes comes in different configurations. Some have more comfortable sitting angle and no dampers. Making the bike more comfortable to ride, less expensive and lighter. Still you have the option to use the bike for excersise as well as comuting ☺️
I'll add that finding the right cadence is one of the most important things on bike commuting. At first I tried to ride the fastest I can thinking I would get used to the effort and eventually stop sweating. Then my father (PE professor) told me I should start by riding at whatever speed I didn't sweat and from there start making longer distances. I started at an average of 8-9 kph for no more than 3km and now I'm at 15kmph for more than 12km
Are you sure you're properly maintaining your bike? Or is that because you live in an area with a lot of hills? Because 15kmph is what most people over the age of 60 cycle here in the Netherlands. Might be worth looking into why you struggle if you don't know yet. If you did already look into it, continue doing what feels best. You probably have a good reason.
@@rendomstranger8698 you can't really compare Dutch average speed to others, because Dutch cyclists don't have to stop as frequently to Canadian/USA cyclists. Infrastructure is just so much better.
Also use lower gears, such that you spin the pedals using lighter pressure - you can keep up the high cadence low pressure pedalling for ages because it's 'easy'! Change down early. Remember and watch for change of slope. Also if you have a lot of stop-start (US/UK v Netherlands ;-), make sure to remember to change down for the stop, so it's easier to start again.
One mistake to add: Getting too angry at motorists. I commute by bike in NYC everyday, and while bike infrastructure has somewhat improved, our streets are still ridiculously hectic. This makes it very easy for me to yell at car drivers and try to fight them fairly often--especially when I first started. Sometimes, motorists are being inattentive or also flustered by the traffic rather than maliciously trying to create a dangerous situation. Better to voice reminders than try to fight them on every thing. I've learned that it's just not worth it and is unbecoming and better to curb that road rage. It's better and safe for me as a bike commuter and probably more helpful for keeping the general road rage sentiment at a minimum. Great video as usual, Tom. New subscriber here--but I've been watching your videos for about a month now and they are super helpful!!!
This is much easier said than done. It's hard to not freak out when you were almost killed by a clueless driver who regularly drives over the painted bike gutters which are the main bike infrastructure in my area. People who aren't used to paying attention just don't. It's frightening.
I often get annoyed by pedestrians walking or just hanging around on the bike lanes, but I give the signal (bell) and tries to stay on my lane to show that this is where I am supposed to be, and there’s where you are supposed to be, avoiding being all over the place. In city and town centres in Sweden the speed limit is often 30 or 40 km/h, so speed is seldom an issue. However at crossings, motorists sometimes have a tendency to look for other motorists and not checking if there are bikers coming on the crossing bike lane from the right (often), so as a biker I have to read the situation, make calculations and get into the brain of the driver extracting his thoughts: has he seen me, has he an intention to stop at the yield sign and let me pass or will he just press the pedal and go. I am mostly biking and when driving, I go for miles, but I sometimes notice that I am different persons behind the handlebars and behind the steering wheel. I could learn from my biking, how a motorist should act when crossing the path of a biker, and when driving in our small town, I really try to give bikers precedence as I know I simply hate having to stop my bike and putting my feet to the ground and then slowly getting back on track again.
As noted upstream - Look incompetent, wear one of those large yellow 'safety' tabards (Gilet Jeune) that have the reflective stripes. They really help others to see, and avoid you! (I do notice cyclists that are in bright yellow, while those in 'all black' are easy to miss until you are upon them - black may hide road dirt but..)
The only place I sweat is in my shirt, so I carried a fresh shirt with me, and kept a shirt at work for the inevitable times I forgot to bring one. Even in cold weather, I sweat, usually. If I don't sweat, I'm underdressed. Overdress, because heat is easier to cope with than cold.
The tip I’d add is not to feel you have to do it every day, if it is really icy for example you may be better or safer using a different method of travelling for a day or two. It I use the bus for a couple of days it helps me enjoy and appreciate the bike more when I’m next on it.
At the very least winter cycling really should be done wearing a helm. It's not just that it's icy it's also that it's dark and it doesn't need to be you who do stupid shit, I got hit by a fellow bike communter only last week, onlt reason none of us were hurt badly was luck.
I can give you my 6 tips, after commuting for 32 years in Copenhagen. 1 keep your bike as simple as possible, lowers your time spent on maintenance. Personally I run a fixied gear, with only a front brake. Two things to maintain, a chain and a brake, and no matter what bike you get, spent the time to learn to do the simple repairs. 2. But a lot of focus on your bike fit and the right saddle. You can have the world's best bike and if it don't fit, it wil be the world's worst. 3 atleast in Denmark, don't wear cycling clothes, everybody will look at you like you are an idiot. 4. Unless you are a an trained and skilled cyclist in traffic, don't and I say don't listen to music, it can cost you your life. 5. Always carry a small tool back, with a bike multitool, patches for a flat tire and a bike pump. And of course learn to use it. 6. Learn to enjoy the absolute freedom a bike gives you. And as said in the video, you'll see your city from a whole other perspective.
Number 1 would make your bike not road safe in Germany. We are supposed to have two independent brakes but I agree with the keeping it as simple as possible.
@@spinni81 we are supposed to have that too, but riding an fixed gear in theory I have 2. We have to have reflex on the front, back, in the wheels and on the pedals. And we have too have a bell. Most danish bikes have a front break and a coasting brake.
What do you mean with skilled and trained cyclist, because while I have almost 10 years experience cycling in Amsterdam, I wouldn't call myself "skilled", but it also isn't that dangerous to listen to music with earphones
I live in a medium sized city in the UK, I feel as long as you are aware of your surroundings and not using active noise cancelling or anything like that you should be fine. I listen to music and can still hear cars around me as the sound comes through. I'd just say read the highway code and learn how to use the roads by doing theory practices and you should be fine with music.
I think your list is a bit too much for a newbie. If the commute is within a city and less than 20 min there is no need to bring tools with you, you can walk the bike to the nearest bike shop if you have a problem. Where I live you only need to have a bike, a lock, and know how to ride it, that's it. Now I commute a longer distance (ca 15 km) and I do have much more gear though.
Teach your kids how to ride to school safely. One of the best things we can do as a parent, for many reasons. As you are creating a very natural response to jump on their bike, to do anything, instead of sitting in a car. You are creating a healthy habit for them, without them realizing it. They will thank you, some day. Nearly every day, one of my kids say, it's so good to ride. Every kid needs that opportunity to feel that, and realize it for themselves. Be that person that creates a wonderful lifetime habit for the one you love the most. Happy riding!
When Canadians are saying something positive about their community, they say 'here in Canada'. When they say something negative, they say 'in North America'.
That's because so many of the bad urban design elements are pretty consistent across North America. Doing something right seems to need a persistent grassroots nudge and even then, it rarely propogates into other jurisdictions.
No, it is because Canadians are always trying to crap on the US and praise themselves. Incidentally, Canadians are no longer allowed to participate in the US Green Card program. Guess why? America sucks sooo bad that we were flooded with Canadians wanting to come. British are also not allowed.
I started biking 2 months and a half ago and, to me, bikes are still pretty much a way to exercise my body. Instead of going to the gym or jogging, I ride the bike. I'm trying to change my mindset about it and really start to see bikes as a transportation mode instead. My city is not too friendly to bike commuters, though, and that can represent a big obstacle to really start moving around. I really enjoy your channel, keep up the great work!
i think for some people its really healthy sharing and "bragging" about your commute, "people dont brag about their bus commute" well a bike commute (depending on how hard of a workout you make it for yourself) is alot more effort and its healthy to have pride and develop confidence in something. receiving criticism or praise for achieving high commuting distance or intense labour is a healthy thing and encourages harder work in other people as well. a kind of healthy competition as you would. we used to have a strava compete thing (all commuters) where we'd try to push eachother to cycle more often and it was super healthy n positive. - i reached a new weekly record of 350km on a £90 rusted apollo evade thanks to this healthy kind of commuting encouragement and strategy - it might not be for you but i definitely wouldnt call it a mistake.
You're not crazy. You're absolutely right to advise people to be realistic. I spent 6 months in Thailand last year and I met dozens of disillusioned men who had huge expectations and were essentially living off of the lies they tell themselves an others.
Picked up everything in my commuting set up for under 1,000 USD. I haven't used a car to commute in 3 months now. Found this channel after I had already started the journey and was looking for some solutions with storage. Love the videos, thanks a ton for the effort!
Very well articulated video. My experience as a cycle commuter started in 1989. It was a process of trial, error, more trial, more error, etc. to arrive at some conclusions. Before anything else enjoy your commute. Ride it a few times on the weekend before your first commute. It'll give you an idea of time/effort, etc. 1) Don't commute in your work clothes or work in your cycling clothes. Find where you can change clothes and towel off if necessary. It gets sweaty and hygiene matters. 2) Acquire basic bike maintenance skills and tools. Learn to fix a flat on the road. 3) Base your bike choice on commuting distance, terrain and seasonal fluctuations. You may not need a geared bike at all. Keep it simple. 4) The same with gear. Helmet, gloves, windbreaker, 😎, padded liner for longer commutes, etc. You'll figure it out. 5) As your acumen and gear list grows don't let it overwhelm you. What you'll settle for at 3 months just won't work anymore in your 8th month. But, that's the nature of experience. 6) "It never gets easier you just go faster." - Greg Lemond My commuter rig now is a Reid City Bike obtained from Evocycles in New Zealand. It came with mudguards, rack, v-brakes, 3x7 gearing. I changed the gearing to 1x7. My add-ons were Ortlieb Sport 15 L panniers, Topeak Road Morph framepump, generic wb cage, Cygolite 350L frt and 80L Hot Shot rr combo, Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700x32mm tires, dual-sided Wellgo spd pedals, generic undersaddle toolbag with tube, patchkit, multi-tool, metal tirelevers, chaintool. All totaled I've got about 1500.00 NZD (935.00 USD) in my bike with upgrades. My clothes and shoes are all cycling specific with padded liners under shorts or long sport pants depending on weather. In cold weather if you don't start out a little chilly you're probably overdressed. I've got about 1500.00 NZD in my clothing gear as well. For those who may think that a little excessive try finding a dependable car for 3000.00 NZD that uses zero petrol, is dependable, leves no carbon footprint and is good for your health and well being. My present commute is 52km(32m) round trip. So, I need reliable, quality gear. More than anything else just get out the door. There is a strong sense of satisfaction in building a personalized rig and dealing with the elements, traffic and naysayers. Cycle commuting will toughen you up physically, mentally and spiritually. 30+ years and I've never regretted a day ridden. Only days I didn't. Happy Commuting. It's an iconoclastic existence. Stock up on oatmeal. You gonna need it. lol EDIT: Btw, I live outside Wellington, NZ. I tutor guitar at Newlands Intermediate School teaching group classes for ages 7-12. My residence is in Whitby near The Shops on Discovery. See Google Maps. You can plug in those two co-ordinates along with the bicycle icon. I use thevMiddle Road route through Porirua, Tawas and Johnson City. I use Hester Road, but pull off and climb Stewart Road Hill. Cheers, mates.
For safety I'd recommend a high viz vest. My son, who's a bus driver, says that's what he looks out for. And lights unless it's really bright daylight. When riding think about keeping your effort constant rather than trying to maintain the same speed. This makes hills easy; you just drop down a gear, slow down a bit but keep peddling at the same rate/effort. Above all enjoy it. There's lots to learn and that's part of the enjoyment. I started as a commuter but I tour now too which a whole other world. Some great advice in the video and in other comments. Cyclists are the best. 🙂
@@fatfrreddy1414 People with poor eyesight need to consider whether they should be driving. We have far too many people killed by people pleading the SMIDSY (Sorry mate I didn't see you) excuse, when what they actually mean is they did not look. But we have quite a number killed by people with cars who can't read a number plate at the required distance.
For anyone that rides a mountain bike in an urban environment, I’d suggest using cyclocross tires. The tread is meant for both on and off road. I’ve been very happy changing to these tires and have been using them for a few years now. Having both on and off road capability is great if you ride on the streets, paved paths or off in the dirt.
Both of those look fairly similar to mine which are Vee Tire Co Speedster. It's great to have another couple of suggestions on this type of tire. I may try one of those out next time I need new ones.
The assumption that you can recognize the rolling resistance of a tire based on its profile is unfortunately wrong. Many tires with a relatively smooth surface in particular have a comparatively high rolling resistance. On the other hand, certain good mountain biking tires not only have a very low rolling resistance but at the same time also have the advantage of a effectivly high puncture protection due to the knobs and good grip, e.g. in unexpected snowfalls. (For the winter I have a special bike on which studded tires are constantly mounted.) In order to find a tire that guarantees low rolling resistance, good puncture protection and good grip, you should study the relevant tests thoroughly, especially tests in which measured values are actually given. Unfortunately, tires with good properties are relatively expensive, but they are still worth every cent. (Ed.: Smooth tires have a significantly lower air resistance, especially at particularly high speeds, but this is usually only noticeable at speeds such as those driven in road races or similar.)
Alternatively, depending on your rim width (esp on modern mountain bikes), you may need something larger. I've been commuting on Surly ExtraTerrestrials and have been quite happy. Only tire I've found that combines large width, pavement friendly tread, and tubeless compatible. That last one is now a hard criteria for me. I'll never go back to running tubes if I can help it.
1) When temp < 5 C fingers and toes get cold faster on a bike than walking, so I recommend warm socks and gloves. Pack 2nd pair of socks for the office or just bring a weeks worth of clean ones on Monday. 2) Carry a small towel or bandana to dry your seat for return ride Or use to stop bleeding for the time you or other commuter wipe out. Real experience. 3) Use your voice to communicate with pedestrians. Seems strange but I find I'm on mute when I ride. Working on that. 4) Don't let other users (cars, pedestrians) make you mad. Riding angry leads to poor decisions and accidents. Seen it. Administering first aid to you slows my commute so just put on your teflon coat and enjoy the ride.
Oof the first one, yea I seem to be a lot more sensitive to that starting somewhere between 30-35 years old when it's actually freezing. Especially my hands, but fortunately for mild cold like the
@@Mindsi oh, yeah! I used to dispatch for a taxi company. More accidents in the fall from wet leaves (not necessarily involving our cabbies) than due to ice in winter. (And I lived somewhere with several months of icy conditions.)
I like the guy that sings “Bike lane! You’re in the bike lane, you’re in the bike lane! Move outta the way!” to the Star Wars theme song while commuting in NYC.
I was a bike commuter for many years in New York City and worked at a bike shop for 16 years. I’ve have heath issue that prevented me from riding or feel safe riding. Just 15 days ago I started riding again for exercise. It’s so strange because it has always been about commuting or doing errands. I’m so happy to do so. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
I sort of clicked on this video by accident but it immediately caught my attention. It's really inspired me to go on a ride, even if I don't end up riding to school right away.
While I sort see the point in videos like this, but the first tip is really the only tip people need. Get a bike and start riding to work. That's it. The more tips we start giving out the less likely are new people will be willing to start, because "Oh no, I need to think of this, that and the other" Just grab a bike and go, the rest will work itself out.
Yeah, don't make it a big deal. Just do it. Also, teach and inspire your kids to ride to school in safety. And their friends. Then, jumping on bike to do anything becomes second nature. We often see my son's class mates go by in cars. He yells their name and waves. We catch them at the traffic lights, nearly every day, and chat or fly past. My son's friends think we are crazy to ride around town, but we are teaching others that it's totally doable if one is willing. With a bicycle, you can go anywhere. It's a freedom machine.
I started bike commuting at the end of this summer and found out that using bike shares is a lot more beginner-friendly than my own bike! Yes it costs a monthly fee (though here in Montreal it's currently very cheap at $19/month including unlimited rides of 45min or less - much more affordable than even a bus pass), because it allows more flexibility to switch to public transit if you're too tired, sweaty, or if the weather is no good!
That's great. I briefly considered just doing a bike share but decided to do both, use bike share around town and for quick trips, and ride my own bikes for laps around the park and visiting other neighborhoods for some sightseeing and exploration. I see the benefits of both, and have been enjoying more rides in the past 3 weeks than the years prior. The e-bike I tried out in our bike share prompted me to get my own, so a win-win all around. More biking, less sitting. And I am freezing my gym membership in the meantime while it's still nice enough to ride and enjoy being outdoors.
Personally, my main issue with bike shares is that there's no guarantee that you can find a bike when you need it and also the bike you do get may be difficult to ride, though I suppose it depends on the type of service. In China, the shared bikes tend to be mostly plastic (or rusted -- which is definitely worse), small (which kinda sucks for me who prefers a much larger frame), and during rush hours it's difficult to actually find a functional bike despite having hundreds of them on the street the night before. The time I spend wrestling with a shared bike is just not worth it on short 15-min commutes where even during bad weather it's not so bad to wear through. Besides, a main advantage to biking as opposed to any other transportation is that you take the exact same amount of time to get to work every day (usually down to minutes in difference from traffic lights, as opposed to 5 to even 20 mins if you bus or drive). Having to locate a shared bike and then pray it actually moves kinda ruins that aspect. (Yes, you can ride a lot faster on an "actual" bike than plastic bikes which slows down far quicker)
I disagree about #6. My commute is ten miles. One way. Athletic clothing can be okay. but twenty miles a day, five days a week, week after week. I found that I started migrating over to tight bicycle clothing because on a long ride like mine it is more comfortable. Not for aerodynamics but because of sweat wicking and chaffing. Every one has a different commute, granted. But for my unique situation it was a matter of comfort. I also have a shower at work and can push my ride a little faster, so showing up sweaty is never an issue for me. Cycling clothing makes more sense. If your commute is short or you don't have that option may go with his suggestion. Specialty clothing is expensive. If you ride as much as I do you will lose weight and need to replace you new fancy clothes. I think it is a matter of comfort. At least invest a couple of pair of cycling shorts for hot weather days.
Yep. I agree. Not wearing cycle clothing because you don't want your work colleagues to see you in it is just giving into the hate . I don't care what they think , I will wear the clothes that work best for my particular cycling trip. And if it's Lycra then that's just fine. And bright colours make you visible.
The presenter is from a cold climate. Where I live in Australia cycling in work clothes is asking for agonising heat rash. Pretty much everyone ends up commuting in cycling knicks or MTB shorts, although many people wear an athletic top rather than a more expensive cycling jersey. A shower after a long afternoon ride is essential, although that's usually the leg to home. An Australian-specific guide would have suggested freezing one of the water bottles, and the symptoms of heat exhaustion (ie, if you're feeling dizzy then don't push on, find some shade, have a drink; if you're hallucinating or lacking cognitive function then cool down immediately, even something as basic as entering someone's garden and putting your head under their front water tap.)
@@turboseize I.................. literally just bought a new bike so I could cycle in a skirt. If you're traveling long distances sure, but if you're only biking a few kilometers wear what you want, your choice of transport doesn't always need to dictate your outfit.
I think the point is more that you shouldn't feel like you _need_ cycling clothing. If you want to wear it, sure. I usually don't bother. I can't stand the diaper shorts, but I will wear a cycling jersey if I'm doing a 100k ride, or racing at the track, but for my daily commute it's a t-shirt and shorts. Add rain pants+jacket when it's pissing rain, maybe a hoodie or arm warmers if it's near freezing.
I used a hybrid bike (Giant Roam 2) to commute for multiple reasons. First, my route from home included some very rough roads, railroad crossings, a stretch on a dirt fire road and a stint on commuter rail. My ride home included some fairly steep uphill climbs. I needed something sturdy and versatile but light enough to hump up and down the stairs at the train station. Second, I worked in a high crime area. We had a good place to lock our bikes but it wasn't completely immune to theft. The bike thieves who got past security knew what they were looking for and it wasn't a sub-$1,000 bike like my tweener with three different types of locks on it. It was always passed over when the bike thieves struck. Third, it would also serve as my running errands around town bike. The same versatility and lack of "cool" served me well in this capacity. I could lock it up at the shopping center or bowling alley and it would be there when I came back out.
Yup, I live in a suburban area with poorly maintained sidewalks next to a main road, so handling rough terrain is a must, even when not going on rough trails.
I ride 10 miles per/day on a Target $149 Huffy Highland. It’s slow but it gets the job done & I just cruise. I’d just like to tell new bike commuters to watch for broken glass & plan ahead of you get stranded with a flat tire, because it will happen. Other than that, routinely check your nuts n bolts, make sure everything is tight & check your tire pressures weekly.
Your point about logistics is often overlooked by many. I have a weekend big boy bike, and a commuting Brompton folding bike. The folding bike make so much sense to me. I can ride door-to-door to work, ride part of the way and take the bike with me on public transport. If I get a flat, and I absolutely have to be somewhere, I can shove it in the back of an Uber/ regular car. With my weekend bike, I need to deal with locking it, storing it. Such a pain! I don't like to leave my bike unattended.
I love your perspective on 'not bragging' because bike commuting should be accessible to all and it shouldn't be seen as something only 'serious cyclists' in lycra can do! Thanks for making these videos! They are great :)
Your comment about what to wear for your commute brought back memories of our dept. head on my ship. The Weapons Boss used his bike to commute. He commuted in his uniform and everything. I can't remember if he wore his shoes, or if he changed in to them when he arrived to the ship (he lived off base). The only special piece of gear I remember him wearing was a a pant clip on his right leg, so his pants wouldn't get caught in the chain.
01:38 that is the best advice for ANY hobby. You will never know what you really need until you start doing it. What usually happens say with hunting is that you buy all the gear and then spend the next 6 months getting rid of most of it trying to slim down your gear to the absolute minimum essentials.
The hybrid bike one hits home for me. I have a "mountain" bike that makes it a pain to go long distances in the city and I only spend my time in a few gears, so I force myself to appreciate how powerful it is by going on trails once or twice a week and enjoying that feeling of climbing up hills as if they're nothing
Growing up I only ever had a mountain bike, so when I finally decided to get one this summer my first thought was yes of course I should get a mountain bike. After doing more research I of course learned that that wouldn't be the best choice for strictly getting around my small town. I ended up choosing a 7 speed hybrid comfort upright bike and it's perfect!
I'm riding mountain bikes for decades now, but after my first attempt to commute with on of those, I bought a second bike with a trekking/city layout. Moutain or road/racing bikes are sports devices. They really suck at commuting in comfort.
Is it possible that my $100 Walmart bike is under powered. I have to go uphill both ways everyday and it's a pain in the ass so I usually have to walk halfway
@@coindog6336 you'll find alot of good deals on fb marketplace. I ended up getting two fuji road bikes 500 brand new for $40, sold em both for $40 each and then bought my hybrid bike $600 brand new off of fb marketplace for 50 bucks
The one and only mistake newbies make: not doing it because [insert reason]. At the risk of sounding like a cliché, just do it. Everything else will come, don't worry about it. If you want to kit up, then kit up. If you want to dress like Darth Santa in a kilt playing bag pipes, go for it. When you start out and you're still excited about it, you're going to buy stuff that later you'll realize you don't need. You're going to carry more gear than you need. Etc. Don't worry about it. It's how you learn.
I only started riding in July and I've definitely been figuring out what works and what doesn't. Like I recently switched from a back basket to panniers. I can now carry so much more!
I'm Dutch and cycling is just normal to me, so great job on giving all this basicly Dutch advice :-) I do have one constructive comment though: don't talk about cities, but urban areas. In Europe we have enormous amount of little, but still big enough towns that have people that cycle. The Netherlands polder area is a great example of this. It's not like you stop cycling when you go out of the city here!
Exactly! I‘ve lived in two (non-dutch european) cities, one small city and a metropolis. The smaller one seemed nicer for cycling in retrospect, maybe because there were less cars and (somewhat) better bike infrastructure.
I round a rack on a pile of stuff that I found on the way down the street, & screwed on an old basket to it & now I use the basket all the time for both shopping, as well as commuting. Separate bike for mountain bike riding. Really great video.
thanks for the vid. My advice would be: wear a helmet(I have had accidents during commuting and saved my life!) and wear lycra (spandex) if you want, proper cycling gear has the pockets necessary for phone, wallet, keys etc, dries quickly, takes up less space at work and is easy to clean.
Great advice, especially the part about being kind to yourself. It is OK to only cycle commute once a week or once a month if doing it more often does not work for you. I am also a big fan of “ride what you brought”; gear, especially new gear, is cool but it is likely a want rather than a need 😏. And finally, there is absolutely no reason for gatekeepers; the bicycle played an important role in the emancipation of women. Every time I see a cyclist (however they choose to embrace our love of our machines with two or three wheels) my heart sings at the sight of a kindred spirit. Ride on!
My tip for bike commuting: keep it interesting with a set of different routes. I personally have a short, low in cars route (my main route), a bad weather route, a workout hill route (several hundred vertical meters) and a scenic route. More to come.
To late, I purchased a roam 2 because that's all I could find in my area. With the bike and parts being limited. Yes should have waited; however after a few months of riding at 71 yrs, I'm happy I did. I get out more in other areas then the city, parks, trails not mountain bike trails and bike path. This week bike packing to my local conversation area. Just loving it and next year a gravel bike for sure.
Nothing beats finding an exciting news cut through. The mental map thing is so cool too, started cycling again recently and I have fallen in love with it again. It’s like being a kid again!!
Thanks for the video! I recently joined a bike advocacy group in my city and I feel so out of place there, since they seem like "real cyclists", and I just want a way to move around the city without a car 🙈 It really helps to hear from more experienced cyclists that I don't have to go full sport mode and wear cycling clothes 😅
If everyone is a veteran there, they'll need your opinion even more! It's always difficult to see things from a noob's perspective when you've been doing something for so long. And if the bike community wants to grow, it definitely needs that noob perspective!!! Thank you for your time and hard work!
Here are 10 things I learned commuting 20km each way on the shoulder of an 80 km/h highway for several years: 1. Learn every possible alternative to being on that busy road shoulder, such as park cut-throughs and cycle paths. 2. Haha work somewhere with great cycle commute facilities such as showers/lockers and bike storage! 3. Be safety conscious: wear glasses (bugs hurt when making a direct hit with an eyeball at 25 km/h), wear a helmet and gloves, have good flashing lights front and rear to be seen. Wear a high viz top - maybe a basic orange and blue labourer's shirt. You definitely get treated with more respect by drivers than when wearing lycra. Carry a bell and use it to warn pedestrians you are near. 4. If your route doesn't have monster hills, consider a single speed bike with cyclocross tyres for puncture protection, simplicity and efficiency. 5. Definitely get mudguards (fenders to you North Americans). 6. Invest in a good rain jacket with bright colours. 7. Carry a spare folding tyre, as highways are littered with glass and metal shards that shredded a couple of my tyres. 8. Install a mirror (if on high speed roads). 9. Be a good road citizen - obey all road rules and never ever run red traffic lights. 10. Carry I.D with you with next of kin contact details. Happy commuting everyone!
rather than puncture resistant tires which are slow, uncomfortable and often slippery use good quality tires and put sealant in the inner tube (if you don't have a tubeless setup)
MIstake no. 1 is riding without helmet. Most important life-saver. You can find pretty good quality ones maybe even with mips for around 100 euros. For me a must have for every ride.
I think most people buy them because they look cool. I always find it odd when I see someone riding an MTB-ish bike in the city, then I'm thinking 15 year old me did the same, I can't blame them it just looks cooler. Nowadays I enjoy efficiency riding a Brompton, kids always find it funny, adults are surprised when I'm just faster.
Nailed it, Edmonton area cyclist here, my only addition is prepare for the weather with your bike, my thin tired (700cX35) hybrid did not work in winter every day, even with studded tires...now have a fat bike for snow days. Also, good lights and visibility aids, driver acceptance is an ongoing challenge in my experience.
All except one of my bikes have drop handlebars. My commuter of choice was my touring bike, mainly because it can carry luggage and has lots of gears. I had a long climb on the return leg of my old commute (recently retired so no longer commute to work). I nearly always wore Lycra - I never cared what my co-workers thought.
I've been wearing Lycra since my cargo pants pocket got caught on the saddle horn and I fell onto an active road. After 2 years, I don't feel right wearing street clothes. Screw the critics. (Also newly retired.) Now I get up in the morning and put on my bike shorts or if it's too cold or too sunny (sunburn), my bike pants. Every day is a biking day now.
Just ordered an ebike that's on its way that I'm planning to use for my commute and found your channel through the rain poncho video. (I live outside of Vancouver and we get a lot of rain). While you might not have inspired me to make the decision, the videos I've watched have definitely lowered the bar for entry and gave me really practical things to think about without being overwhelming like some bike forums online that I had looked at prior. So thanks for that. Plus you just seem so friendly, it's infectious and makes your videos that much more fun to watch.
If you got an ebike you won't sweat as much, so cheap rubberized waterproof jacket & trousers will be ok. I wear Orange hi viz ones I got issued at work, but they only cheap to buy anyway.
hi i am in my 60's only been riding for the last two years (an E bike) in the UK, came across your channel looking at poncho's, what a fantastic channel full of great tips for new bikers, plain and simple you are doing a fantastic job thank you so much
Nice video. The point about dressing for the destination, not the ride, is great for US commuters. Too easy to get caught up in the lycra bro mentality, and before ya know it, ppl are turned away from cycling b/c of the time it takes to just get out the door, because they're uncomfortable once they arrive, or b/c they just don't like the lycra scene. Thanks for the great content.
Love this! I live in a very rainy area so the gear I needed was more in depth than if someone wasn't going to go out in pouring rain because there's no other options. I got a waterproof pannier, a biking rain jacket, and a bike rack. over the years I've gained waterproof hiking shoes, rain pants and a few more bags!
Figuring out the logistics takes some time indeed! One thing that definitely helped me is talking to coworkers who commute by bike. Also, the fact that I knew that they biked to work because I had seen them, not because I had smelled them, helped me calm down with regards to hygiene. And I would never think of commuting as fitness - so much start/stop/slow/stop/etc at intersections! But it does boost my heart and adrenaline in the morning, which is very nice.
I love clicking on a random video only to find that it is my city five seconds into the video. My company is moving downtown by the end of the year and I’m thinking about semi-biking it (C-train+bike). Great content, keep it up!
Tip: Remember, you are traffic. You have as much rights to the road as motorist but that also means you have the same responsibilities as a motorist. In other words, you have to follow the rules. Good tips! Some I had thought of and some I didn’t.
Great tip! Thank you. It can be difficult to assert your place on the road, even if you have the legal right to. But understanding those rights is the first step.
About tip 3: get a bike map from your local cycling campaign, showing all the routes that government maps don't or won't. (Isn't it annoying that the google login process takes so long that I missed the live chat.)
This is a great point. There's also a few GPS maps out there that focus on cycling and take into consideration things like hills and busy roads. Bikemaps.net has popular routes in most cities, for example.
Wish you would comment on Adult Trikes as commuters. I love my Trike and I use it for small errands, feel safe, plenty of storage for groceries. The worrisome issue is my trike being stolen. I appreciate all the advice and tips you provide in your show. Thank you
Register it, buy the best lock you can, lock it in sensible places (well lit not hidden away) and insure it (check if it can be added to your house/contents insurance). If you've done all that enjoy your ride 😀 otherwise the thieves
@@OneLessCar normally I’d say yes to everything you’ve said, and it’s all generally good advice, however 1.) adaptive trikes (handcycles recumbents upright etc) tend to be way more expensive than a 2 wheel bike (usually starting around $1500-$2000 USD for entry recumbents trikes and $3k-$4k USD for entry handcycles) 2.) due to the high price, they usually will not be covered by home insurance, so you need to get bike specific insurance 3.) they are a pain to lock up, especially in less bike friendly areas (this was my biggest shock when commuting, it’s basically impossible to lock with a Ulock due to its size) 4.) long back orders for adaptive trikes (12+ months) and due to a lot of people buying these things as a primary form of transportation (due to lack of licenses, old age, disability, etc) being without a form of transport for that long would not be fun. Although in a lot of ways they stand out a lot, first time I pulled up to my local farmers market, I turned a lot of heads and has 2 people inquiry about it just while I was locking up. This helps prevent theft but also even to help recover it potentially, but can also possible make the trike more at risk for theft in certain scenarios. The big thing that’s unfortunate is that you can’t use public transit when on a trike, and they’re a lot harder to transport than normal bikes (but that’s to be expected due to its increased size, and folding trikes are a thing-though expensive) it does bring up an interesting conversation about cycling infrastructure cause I find some cycling paths are too narrow for adaptive trikes, so you gotta stick to the roads or shared pathways, but even then, you take up more than 50% of the width of the shared path. So I think the discussion on the intersection of cycling infrastructure and accessibility is an important and interesting one!
@@ethangillese What do you suggest. instead? One Less Car offered solutions, you came to say why nothing would work but didn't offer any alternatives. What's. the use?
@@blueskies773 nah he had good advice, but there isn’t really an alternative on the market without the right infrastructure or without spending an arm and a leg on a velomobile cover. A lot of trikes you can’t even lock up to bike racks due to their size. So usually I can get away with a bike alarm with a frame lock/chain add on. But still, not the most secure and my home insurance wouldn’t cover it if it was stolen
I really like your channel. In Penticton when I moved here 30 plus years ago I realized it was a perfect place for bike commuting. A safe lockup cage for bikes then made it doable. It was often the best part of my day I think.
nice tips, thank you! i might add, when you plan your journey, don't stick to the short/straight route. try to find a flatter and safer route instead. even when it's a bit longer.
This video came out at the perfect time. I literally just got my RadCity 5+ built yesterday for commuting and around-town purposes, and this actually reinforced the mindset I already had: get a bike that you enjoy riding. Don't live up to others' expectations, be your own judge. If I'm gonna be biking for fitness, it'll be when I ride my bike to the gym, get a good workout in, and then ride home.
There’s a lot of interesting science about this coming out where riding an ebike is about as good as a normal bike in regards to cardio, as you’re still pedaling and more weight at that. You may exert less muscle force in pushing the pedals but over time it balances it out since you’re using it much more!
@@kenhayward3257 eBikes aren't really competitors to normal bicycles. I think a survey about eBikes was that around 80% of eBike trips were car replacement trips.
Since I got my ebike I’ve been cycling maybe 5-6 days per week, average 30km/day, including work commute. Even though I’ve always loved biking, before the ebike I biked way less than that. Now I want to see if I can keep it up into Montreal winter.
Thanks for the tips!! Agree with all 8.. Learnt how to ride a bicycle in 3 days by myself in the driveway. I think the biggest challenge I faced is the fear of getting out into the street along with cars where there is no bike lanes. My advice for that is - just something you have to get used to. I am from Sydney, Australia and where I am from, cyclists and cars share the road and one shouldn’t have priority over the other. Actually I realised that most motorists are more anxious about hitting us than of us being anxious about getting hit by them.
Great tips, I keep hair gel & a comb at work to fix up my helmet hair, little logistics like this are easy in hindsight but take a little while to think up and set up.
I notice he did not wear a helmet. They are so light (not like motorcycle helmets) that you really don't notice them. I place a handkerchief on the inside to avoid the wavy look that the hole create.
I citibike to work in NYC 2-3 times a week. I’ll admit to making all these mistakes when I started 2 years ago. Especially focusing on speed over efficiency.
Something adjacent to gear overload is what I like to dub gear creep. There's just so many things you can add or modify and you can just as easily get carried away with things you don't really need or use all that often. For example, you might get convinced to buy a rear rack and some panniers because some guy on youtube said they were better than a backpack (they are, but you get what I mean)! Side note: water-resistant commuting trousers are my favourite gear, they're breathable and great for light to moderate showers, and they're perfect for wearing to the office.
cheaper commute and flexibility of location over paying enormous amount of money for annual train ticket for fixed schedule and stops is my biggest motivation for commuting by bike!
I find two features of hybrid bikes to be drawbacks for commuting: external gears and suspension forks. Both give little value for commute and require maintenance. Entry level suspension fork is also at least 1kg heavier than any rigid fork.
I also want to add a little and say if you're not really sure if you want to get into commuting just remember all of the physical health benefits and the money you'd save yourself, no more having to pay for public transportation, No more having to pay for parking meters, the list could go on for MUCH longer but you get my point. All you need are these 7 things 1. is a bike that you know fits you 2. A helmet, just please get one, they're like $30 on Amazon you want to be able to live your life so you can enjoy the many benefits of using a bike now. You never know. 3, 4 & 5. A Backpack and some water, maybe even a small snack in case you get hungry and to also replenish you quickly while you are out riding. 6 & 7. A U lock and cable combo (I suggest the Via Velo u lock for decent enough protection for your bike and it also comes with a cable for more security[you can find that on Amazon]) And that's it:) Hope this helps anyone who reads this
That's why you need strava. You are still bragging, but your audience is fellow cyclists, so you don't get onto anybody's nerves. To impress your co-workers, don't say anything; just keep cycling irrespective of weather and let the ice in your beard do the talking. If that is not enough, consume their daily calory intake at once during lunch break and then complain about portions being too small. This works especially well if your co-workers are on a diet.
I commuted in the United States, Denver, Colorado, and Henderson, Nevada, all of my adult working life. I highly recommend a helmet and cycling gloves. Eventually you're going to crash. Protect your head and your hands. I've been hit by motorists twice in Denver. One was hit and run. Unprotected bike lanes are better than none but they are "unprotected." Sometimes a paved path can be slick. The unexpected will happen. Be prepared for it.
Yes this 100%. that was the first thing I learned was how important gloves are. (Helmets were already a part of my routine because of mountain biking, which is more crash dangerous, in my opinion and in my city at least.) Also a headlamp can be really useful to get attention of motorists. A swiveling light even if pointed down gets more attention than a fixed light on a bike frame.
I plan to move to Calgary one day and it's a great chance to get a glimpse of this city from your perspective. I've been cycling a lot lately around Shanghai, China but would definitely like to try it out in Calgary. Be safe 🙌
I really like that you pointed out the "no brainer once you figure it out," but you didn't know that starting out." I'd love to see more of those unique little situations where you worked out a oh-so-simple solution. Thanks!
Do you have a tip for a newbie bike commuter? Share it here!😀
Try to find new routes to take to work/ school/ wherever. I've found some of my best rides have been while exploring new areas/ side streets of my city. Plus, you may find a more efficient way to get to your destination.
My tip would be: If you are commuting to work, practise your route on a weekend to get used to how long it takes, any potential dangerous areas, and if you can make any improvements to the route.
worry less about how thick your clothing is when it gets cool and more about exposed skin. You stay fairly warm when riding a bike so long as you don't have exposed skin. also, remember the joints! your gloves might have a gap at the wrist or jacket and the neck. It can be as simple as doing up the cuffs of your jacket and brining a buff/neck warmer/gator. I used to not notice how vented all my "summer gear" was until it got cold!
Try different riding speeds to see what if any difference shows in the amount of sweat it produces when you arrive at your destination.
For those of us in Calgary remember you CAN take your bike on the train after rush hour. So that pub you road to downtown is not such a chore to get home from after! Home Road is not much fun after a beer...or two...or 4
A piece of advice I always give to folks who are nervous about starting to ride their bikes in urban traffic: don't forget that you always have the option to get off and walk your bike on the sidewalk for a bit! If you hit a stretch where the traffic is scaring you, or a hill that's uncomfortably steep, or especially a left turn at a busy intersection, you can always hop off the bike, become a pedestrian until you're past the problem area, and then start riding again. I've been bicycle commuting for over twenty years, and I still do this sometimes!
Yep, i do this often, usually to get around yet another set of traffic cones thrown down by a utility firm who needs access to their pipes or cables. These areas are never cycle friendly.
Great advice Alice, thank you!
Thanks I live in NYC I'm excited yet a Lil nervous about riding a bike to work.
Unless sidewalks don't exist ;-;
Good advice but we should try to get our cities better suited for bicycle commutes.
Shouldn't have to feel dangerous riding a bike.
One thing I would add: get fenders. They're not only good for keeping your backside clean on sloppy days; they're also really useful for keeping your entire bike cleaner and more functional throughout the winter. I would never even consider commuting on a bike without fenders.
i did that for 2-3 years with my road and mountainbike now i got fenders and a suspension seatpost i think its worth it.
Yes fenders are a no must for every weather bikes
Bought fenders for my mountain bike. Was surprised how clean my bike was after riding on wet sandy roads.
Oh, yes! And dress for the weather
Fenders are also a very friendly gesture for anyone riding behind you.
I bike commuted in fair weather for two years. Then I read your book and discovered your channel. I rode all year last year regardless of the weather. I have now ridden for 20 months five days a week and have not driven to work once. I gave up my $360 a year parking spot and then I sold my car. You are an inspiration.
Amazing! Thanks for sharing. My goal with this channel is to get more people on bikes, so this comment totally made my day. Thank you!!
Wait, book?! What? Where?! I want it
This comment itself inspires me! :)
Respect 👍🏾
I wonder: how much are you saving? What were the taxes/insurance/fuel costs apporoximately?
One of my biggest tips for newbies would be to learn to ride defensively, but not submissively.
On the first point, always try and leave yourself an out. If you have the right of way, but a car's creeping out from a side road, slow down if you have to, be ready to stop if they do suddenly pull out. Always assume that they don't see you.
On the second point, Don't be afraid to take a dominant position in your lane. If you try and stay out of the way at the side of the road, cars will attempt to squeeze by when there's not enough space to do it safely, and you'll often be trapped far too close to curbs or parked cars. Far too many cyclists die from getting stuck in the door zone, and knocked into traffic when someone opens their door without looking.
If there's not room for a car to safely pass you in the lane, or if that space disappears in the next 100m or so, you should ride far enough out that they have to pass you using the other lane (like they would pass a car). It may annoy some bad drivers, but you're better off getting honked/yelled at by some impatient jerk, than accidentally injured/killed when they think they have enough room to squeeze by.
My rule is "Don't wait for something to happen, LOOK for trouble"
Funny how car lanes are wide enuff for one car and nothing else, never one car and one bike side-by-side
@@Jono4174it is sad for the current state of roads in North America and a few European cities that will stay loyal to cars and cars only, the result is bigger cars through SUVs and trucks that pass the Environmental Protection Agency emission standards
@@Jono4174 I get sidelaned here all the time. Pisses me off cause the road is empty enough that the only reason they do it is to be a dick
Yea claiming the lane in Polk County Florida is a good way to get brained by a bottle. Rednecks hate cyclists. I have to ride into the grass whenever I see a lifted truck in my mirror.
I have commuted for over 40 years. A few things I've learned over the years: 1. It's rarely too cold to cycle- dress appropriately with layers that zip open when you warm up. A good windbreaker on top makes all the difference. I've found that what gets cold is my fingers and toes, so warm gloves and socks really help. Last, ALWAYS wear a helmet! For the first 20 years, I was lucky with no helmet until an old-timer told me "if you ride a lot, it's not IF you have an accident, it's WHEN you have an accident". I started wearing a helmet and it saved my life!
You only need to use a helmet once for it to pay for itself.
All seconded, wearing a helm has saved my life three times .
Yeah, why doesn't this guy wear one?
@NICHOLAS Rubianes he has a video about helmets and how they fit into culture in North America. Also covers the safety bit. I always wear a helmet, but it's a personal choice 🤷
Yes, very good advice. I'll be biking to work very soon!
I would add one more thing: avoid a backpack. Use a pannier rack or basket instead. Backpack = sweaty back. No matter how easy you go, no matter how great the ventilation of backpack the manufacturer claims to be. It took me way too long to understand it.
I used racks of all kinds and I prefer my Chrome messenger bag. The first reason is style. I care about cycling in style. Second, when I used a rear rack, it felt like it's pulling me back (and it's absolutely ugly) and a front rack made the bike a lot harder to shift. So ya, I feel very comfortable with my bag.
I agree that putting gear on the bike instead of your back is better. It's what I do, now. But it's a matter of degrees and won't make a big difference to newbie commuters, especially if they are taking the relaxed/slow approach to the biking anyway.
I've been commuting to school and then work for the last forty years or so, and didn't upgrade to rack-mounted panniers until twenty years in. I was using a backpack until then and, while not ideal, it worked fine. It's hardly a _mistake_ to use a backpack.
I use a front pannier for commuting to work. However in the winter when the temps get down to -5C and lower, the backpack’s warming feature can be useful, not just for you, but for things like laptops and mobile phones.
Yes! Leave the backpacks at home!
Yup, I live in a pretty hot place so panniers on the rack and a front basket have been so helpful in being less sweaty. Plus I can carry more back from the grocery store.
I am 62 years old. I live in a small city of 23,000 people. I began commuting to work recently, after putting $141.00 of gas in my truck, and am now hooked. I now ride all over town for work, all my shopping and personal appointments. Wish I would have started this forty years ago. 👍 for your video.
$141? Wow that’s absurd as a biker
@@Minelaughteri do not think you understand @RCPrepping ‘s comment, although his wording does not help the person out;
i believe this person means that after realizing that they did spend a lot of money on gas for driving, they did start to bike for short trips as a way to save on gas
- mico, (: a man part of gen z, age 18 :)
@@micosstar yeah but I noticed in my town $141 is like 2 days worth of gas
@@micosstaryour comment is beautiful, and thoughtful to see, stay Gold brother
Helmet
When you're just starting out. Don't plan for the most direct route like a car. "Plan for the most flat road route with small hill inclines." Even if it takes you a few kilometers more to reach your destination. The easiest route is the one where you spend less effort when cycling. When you get more fit from cycling regularly. Massive hills won't even be a challenge for you.
Also plan for the route with the best infrastructure. I regularly take a route home from work that is ten minutes longer than the shortest route possible (which is a lot considering the shortest route would be about ten minutes), but the longer route has a wide bike path through a quiet residential area while the shortest route is a small combined bike and pedestrian path along a four lane arterial road.
That and less busy side streets.
@@BillOweninOttawa
Right. The work-arounds can be a little involved but I would rather make it to my destination safely.
@@PETERJOHN101 Exactly. I have been continuously cycling since the sixties. It's actually a "dangerous" activity. 99% of the reason for this are people in cars who care not at all for the person on bicycle. Thanks to phones, it is now more dangerous than ever.
Good luck!
@@gary7vn not to mention people who pull up past crosswalks at signs and intersections :/ i ride in the suburbs. No bikelanes at all, its like drivers want to hit me half the time.
Another tip would be to leave lots of extra time the first times you commute by bike. If you're not already a regular cyclist, you'll probably be pretty slow at first, but don't worry. After a few weeks your speed will probably improve a fair bit, even if you're riding at a fairly relaxed pace.
And you might need some time to figure out the best way, even if you looked it up on Google. For some routes look for alternatives if important parts are closed. I need to cross a river and the best bridge gets closed a few times a year. Right now a part of my route is closed for road construction for a longer time.
I guess this depends on the bike infrastructure but I feel a lot safer since I installed a rear-view mirror on my bike. In my country cyclists have to ride on the road alongside car traffic for the most part and it just makes me feel better to be able to check on what's going on behind me.
I’m surprised this isn’t mentioned more often. Bike lanes are rare here so, my rear view mirror was the best $5 I’ve ever spent on my bike.
Don’t rely just on the mirror make sure to practice, looking back on either side or with the underneath method. while riding while holding your line.
When riding, I wear a mirror on my glasses. Always! Take A Look is a great brand.
@@Mary-oc5nscool brand!
where did u get it
Mistake number 9: putting the bike away for the winter at the first hint of cooler weather. Just cover up with a couple of thin layers for breaking the wind, and cover the extremities, and you'll find you stay quite warm cycling. I have to laugh when people won't cycle in the winter because they say it's too cold, and then they head to the ski slopes on the weekends!
Just be wary of black ice. I know that I had an awful accident where I went down on a patch of black ice and landed on my bike lock in my rucksack, cracking several ribs and it scared me off winter cycling for a long while. People can avoid that painful experience by both having the lock in a pannier (seriously, anything that stops you landing on a bar of steel strapped to your back is a godsend if things go sideways) and just being gentler when pulling away from junctions in the winter, try to break the habit of trying to power away from a standstill if you do do that in the warmer months, makes it less likely you're rear will break traction with the road.
@@Grort And, studded tires are the best!
@@Grort Yes, this! and after the plows clear the snow, where does the snow go? On top of the bike lane.
@@cesar6932 That's right, winter is very different depending on the country you're in.
I wouldn't even dare bike in december/march because of the harsh conditions of the Canadian eastern lands and the way our cities take care of the snow
@Beater Bike Channel Oh, I would love to save 80$/month on bus passes in the winter if I could, it's really more that cycling lanes are for the most part ignored during the winter due to the cheer cost of clearing them of the 3 meters of snow we get each winter here in Quebec City.
The roads, not even downtown, don't make it any easier, as the many "sub seasons" of winter give their share of problems, my favorite being January. (when it's -30/-40, it's so cold that not only will it always be sunny and air moisture isn't a thing, but the surface snow melted by direct exposure to the sun becomes ice right away)
I found that E biking allows my wife who broke her hip a few years ago and myself who had a recent knee replacement to get out and enjoy the outdoors in a way we could not physically do either regular bikes. And we ride so much further with electric assist than we’d ever be able to on regular bikes. And the physical workout that we get actually is the best thing for our disabilities. Thanks for your no nonsense approach to cycling and encouragement to get out there and do it in a way that’s fun and beneficial to the rider’s needs! At age 64 we’re still riding ever chance we get!
Because of a hip disability, I had to stop going on family bike rides during the pandemic. It sucked. But then my partner surprised me with an e bike and I join them on family bike rides again!!! ❤❤❤
My dad has a heart problem, and an e-bike has allowed him to exercise the way he likes without burdening his heart. I'm often surprised at the distance he's traveled with it in one go.
✨🚲😊
At first I turned up my nose at E-Bikes, (I know, my bad) but my cousin is in his 80s and was unable to ride for almost a decade and now he's out there every chance he gets. I have definitely changed my mind.
I love the closing comments about how in the end, we all want friendly and approachable cycling, not aggressive gatekeeping or boasting. Nice tips!
Many road cyclists see other cyclists as competitors because they race. As a commuter I see other cyclists as allies. All other cyclists.
The sad story more and more just ride like idiots on the street donte give a shit to law.
@@cambarr6933 This.....racing can be fun. But in the end everyone who likes cycling ends up just commuting or for leisure..cant race forever...
The upright-commute-only tribe is also gatekeeping as well.
Same! So many people associate "cycling" with "MAMILs", which these people have negative views of, and it hurts the entire movement towards accessible cycling.
I would like to add that using helmets and wearing a reflective west for when it is dark is always a good choice. Better to be safe than sorry.
Also i would like to add that an upright bicycle is preferable when riding daily amongst cars. Sitting upright will allow you to have a better view of your surrounding and also i just like how i don't have to support my whole weight on my arms while I'm biking.
Helmet and high vis is non-negotiable for anyone who understands asymmetric risk. Discomfort has slightly negative value. Death has infinitely negative value.
Agreed!
Helmets save lives and prevent head injuries
Well the helmet is a story with two sides, people with helmets tend to take bigger risks AND more importantly, other road users take more risks towards people wearing helmets. Both of those are subconscious.
At the end it really depends of the type of commute you have. In my area head injuries doesn't even represent 1% of the accidents.
Good lights and reflectors are mandatory though
I was wondering if I was the only one uncomfortable noticing a lack of helmets in all these videos haha.
Reflective vests and lights have allowed me to stay safer with evening rides, too. Took me longer than it should've to adopt the vest.
@@strivold4922 Do you have a study to cite for that information ?
As a Dutch person this was really fun to watch as a lot of your points I agree with, I always try to make my commute casual and relaxing by not biking too fast but I always forget mid ride and catch myself going twice as fast as I intended. It looks like your country is really opening up to biking as a mainstream way of commute and I hope things will only improve in the future for you. Happy biking!
Do most people wear helmets when commuting in Holland? I watched this video and mistake #1 was not wearing a helmet...
@@przmroz no one wears a helmet here. Only young kids and elderly, and guess what, we have the least injured per ridden kilometer. There is a slight increase in ebike riders getting injured, but manly with elderly on tour rides, not commuters.
Tip for newbies like me 😇: learn how to clean and maintain your bike, and do it regularly!
Inhub gears or no gears at all and having your chain in an enclosed chainguard should negate most of the maintenance.
Learn at least how to fix a flat and to choose the right tyres for the job. It will save you a shit load of money.
This is a good point. But I definitely prefer low-maintenance bikes with internal hub gears and fenders so you don't have to do too much maintenance.
@@Shifter_Cycling Ok, but cleaning/deegreasing, and lubing the chain, and changing brake pads (and adjusting the brakes), as long as changing a flat tube, should be required.
@@DarkDutch007 It really does. 👍
I would encourage helmet use whenever you ride. There is no down side to it and it can save your life. Just as wearing a seat belt while driving. Starting commuters need more than just a bike to be safe. I would also encourage getting some kind of handlebar light and red tail light for safety. You also may need to ride after dark and have a good bell or horn. These are inexpensive today but really vital. Please do a video on bike lighting, bike bells and horns. A rain poncho in your backpack is also a good idea.
I was scrolling and waiting for someone to say this. Can’t believe not many other people are commenting about this either. I think you should always wear a helmet when you’re on a bike. Especially when you are on the road with distracted drivers.
100% for the helmet. And make sure you fit it correctly! You should be able to walk into a wall and the hard-shell peak hit the wall before your nose.
Think of a car pulling out of a side street, and you fly over the bonnet/hood and try for that spread-eagled gravel-rashed face look - with a well fitting helmet, you get a slight mark on the bridge of your nose, and simply replace the helmet. (don't forget to wear gloves..). Actually happened to a friend doing ~20kph.
@stillFLiP There is a difference between the two sorts of accidents.
Yes gloves are great for the reducing the minor hurts, scuffs and scrapes (along with cold or sunburn).
However the life changing injuries from head injury are not to be trifled with. It compares with seatbelts - you never know the time or place where it will make the difference.
Having had to make a number of hospital visits when son had concussion (with helmet & bad accident) I'm all for a well fitted helmet.
Honestly I didn't even bother watching the rest of the video after seeing them ride without it. It's 2021 adults really shouldn't still need to be told to wear a damn helmet.
Exactly! Also scrolled to see a comment on this. The minimum is not a bike. The minimum is a bike with a helmet and lights (esp. the back red light). The lights can at first be cheap. Cars come with safety integrated. Bikes don't, so we need to buy those things separately when we start riding. We really only have one brain.
love how you knock out the gatekeeping right off the bat. thank you. I got into cycling from bike commuting and always wondered why cyclists are so elitist.
When I was a child my elementary school offered bicycle training after classes. It was a one afternoon training program that covered the basics of safety, rules of the road, lights, signals and general bicycling courtesy. I think I recall that it was associated with the Elmer the Safety Elephant program. At the end you were given a pin that showed you had had the training. Me and most of my classmates mounted the pin on our bikes. I still remember what I was taught to this day. I ask kids today if they can get the same training and they usually don't know what I'm talking about. The program made such perfect sense that I cannot understand why they don't still provide it.
They do at some primary and secondary schools here in the uk with are the equivalent to elementary and middle school
When I was in grade school in the 1990s, a police officer came to our school and did more or less the same type of program. I vaguely remember him putting out cones and stuff in the parking lot/paved play area (I can't recall which it was as its since been converted to a plastic mulch playground ) and having some of us ride through it
Interesting, Mine was in the 1960s and I recall riding around the cones. I guess a good program stands the test of time.@@jeremymartin1957
I never got this in america but I know it’s commonplace in the netherlands
Keep it fun!
My co-worker and I are both over 50 and recently both bought new bikes to be able to ride like when we were kids.
Not only is it joyful, but therapeutic. My co-worker was spending a lot of time inside after losing her soulmate. Now, the bike is like a fun toy that excites her.
Hybrid bikes come in serval flavours. I find the mountain bike style with suspension forks, lots of gears and thick tyres ideal for the urban environment. Roads here are full of potholes, the hills are steep, I often have to jump kerbs, dodge broken glass and garbage, plus I can cycle down the off road trails in the area.
This is a great addition to what I said. This is the kind of thought I hope most people put into a hybrid bike before they purchase it. Thanks for adding great context.
@@Shifter_Cycling My hybrid has a shock absorber in the stem. It really is nice on everything rough or bumpy.
Hybrid bikes are the SUV of the bike world. Not great on the trail, not fast on the road.
I bought my hybrid 4 years ago when I was a commuter newb. I ride both my MTB and my road bikes on my commute too because the commute is only the part that gets you between destinations.
Anyway, the big positive of hybrids is that most roads are not perfect. The hybrid is perfect for the imperfections. Cracks, dips, bumps, uneven pavement, small drops…
So from an efficiency standpoint, the hybrid is great because it can handle these imperfections without a lot of loss of momentum or without damaging the bike.
I live in mountainous area of Poland and commute to work on my XL eMTB with 29x2.6" wheels. It does the job very very well xD
commute in a full suspension mountain bike with lockout is much better. good grip on wet roads compared to thin tyres of road only bike. Also if properly tuned shocks it doesn't wobble during pedalling while still makes it smooth over bumps and bad roads kerbs etc.
Where I live there is a snobbery attached to cycling similar to what you mentioned in the video - an expectation to have the ‘right’ cycling clothing, usually an expensive racing bike, and to ride like there’s no tomorrow and get there real fast… I’m in my 50s and I found that I preferred riding an ebike rather than a racing bike as I had become very unfit after years of sitting at a desk. One day on my regular trip to work the wind was howling and it made getting up a good speed really hard, especially on the steeper sections of the route. When I came to the steepest part of the ride I was suddenly aware that nobody had passed me for quite a few minutes. I turned around to look behind and was very amused to see a long line of cyclists in the ‘right’ gear forming behind me and getting as close as possible to my rear wheel and to each other without trying to get past. It seems that having a huge Dutch ebike that can slog up hill and down at a constant speed in any weather was suddenly appreciated for the wind break I was providing them - and all the while I was helping everyone to make very decent progress in spite of the howling gale! I couldn’t help chuckling! As you said, it’s all about what works for you in your own situation.
This should be the 9th tip lol. When there is a headwind, even a slight one, there is always one other commuter on your back wheel feeling super fit, thinking you're going too slow, then they pass you aggressively only to slow down even more because they didn't realize that they were getting a free ride in your slip-stream the whole time.
Wearing dark clothes like this fool will get you doored!
Everyone's gangsta till they need a domestique!
@@martinkent333 idk i ride to work and have to wear black to work. Im gonna be sweaty at work anyway (restaurant, lol) so who cares?
@@jadamcquarrie4509 Death and terror make you happy,. happy, happy!!!
You're a big part of the reason why I've bought a bike and started the odd day commuting a 14km ride to the train station.
When I was young and when UA-cam was young too, there weren’t that many aid videos on how to bike in the city or tips. So I thank you for making this video.
A tip: hybrid bikes comes in different configurations. Some have more comfortable sitting angle and no dampers. Making the bike more comfortable to ride, less expensive and lighter. Still you have the option to use the bike for excersise as well as comuting ☺️
I switched from my cheap mountain bike to a hybrid and I love it.
do you have any good recommendations for affordable/budget hybrid bikes that are upright?
I'll add that finding the right cadence is one of the most important things on bike commuting. At first I tried to ride the fastest I can thinking I would get used to the effort and eventually stop sweating. Then my father (PE professor) told me I should start by riding at whatever speed I didn't sweat and from there start making longer distances. I started at an average of 8-9 kph for no more than 3km and now I'm at 15kmph for more than 12km
That's a great advice, I'll def try that! Thanks!
Are you sure you're properly maintaining your bike? Or is that because you live in an area with a lot of hills? Because 15kmph is what most people over the age of 60 cycle here in the Netherlands. Might be worth looking into why you struggle if you don't know yet. If you did already look into it, continue doing what feels best. You probably have a good reason.
@@rendomstranger8698 Do the average person in the Netherlands also struggle to understand what they read? FFS...
@@rendomstranger8698 you can't really compare Dutch average speed to others, because Dutch cyclists don't have to stop as frequently to Canadian/USA cyclists. Infrastructure is just so much better.
Also use lower gears, such that you spin the pedals using lighter pressure - you can keep up the high cadence low pressure pedalling for ages because it's 'easy'! Change down early. Remember and watch for change of slope.
Also if you have a lot of stop-start (US/UK v Netherlands ;-), make sure to remember to change down for the stop, so it's easier to start again.
One mistake to add: Getting too angry at motorists.
I commute by bike in NYC everyday, and while bike infrastructure has somewhat improved, our streets are still ridiculously hectic. This makes it very easy for me to yell at car drivers and try to fight them fairly often--especially when I first started. Sometimes, motorists are being inattentive or also flustered by the traffic rather than maliciously trying to create a dangerous situation.
Better to voice reminders than try to fight them on every thing.
I've learned that it's just not worth it and is unbecoming and better to curb that road rage. It's better and safe for me as a bike commuter and probably more helpful for keeping the general road rage sentiment at a minimum.
Great video as usual, Tom. New subscriber here--but I've been watching your videos for about a month now and they are super helpful!!!
This is much easier said than done. It's hard to not freak out when you were almost killed by a clueless driver who regularly drives over the painted bike gutters which are the main bike infrastructure in my area. People who aren't used to paying attention just don't. It's frightening.
@@Newk8600 100% agree. It's been hard to keep this up even after I wrote it LOL.
i’ve been working on this, instead of raging i just smile and wave. works like a charm
I often get annoyed by pedestrians walking or just hanging around on the bike lanes, but I give the signal (bell) and tries to stay on my lane to show that this is where I am supposed to be, and there’s where you are supposed to be, avoiding being all over the place.
In city and town centres in Sweden the speed limit is often 30 or 40 km/h, so speed is seldom an issue. However at crossings, motorists sometimes have a tendency to look for other motorists and not checking if there are bikers coming on the crossing bike lane from the right (often), so as a biker I have to read the situation, make calculations and get into the brain of the driver extracting his thoughts: has he seen me, has he an intention to stop at the yield sign and let me pass or will he just press the pedal and go.
I am mostly biking and when driving, I go for miles, but I sometimes notice that I am different persons behind the handlebars and behind the steering wheel. I could learn from my biking, how a motorist should act when crossing the path of a biker, and when driving in our small town, I really try to give bikers precedence as I know I simply hate having to stop my bike and putting my feet to the ground and then slowly getting back on track again.
As noted upstream - Look incompetent, wear one of those large yellow 'safety' tabards (Gilet Jeune) that have the reflective stripes. They really help others to see, and avoid you! (I do notice cyclists that are in bright yellow, while those in 'all black' are easy to miss until you are upon them - black may hide road dirt but..)
The only place I sweat is in my shirt, so I carried a fresh shirt with me, and kept a shirt at work for the inevitable times I forgot to bring one. Even in cold weather, I sweat, usually. If I don't sweat, I'm underdressed. Overdress, because heat is easier to cope with than cold.
Great tip, thank you 👍🏼
Tell Wim Hoff that!
The tip I’d add is not to feel you have to do it every day, if it is really icy for example you may be better or safer using a different method of travelling for a day or two. It I use the bus for a couple of days it helps me enjoy and appreciate the bike more when I’m next on it.
At the very least winter cycling really should be done wearing a helm. It's not just that it's icy it's also that it's dark and it doesn't need to be you who do stupid shit, I got hit by a fellow bike communter only last week, onlt reason none of us were hurt badly was luck.
I can give you my 6 tips, after commuting for 32 years in Copenhagen.
1 keep your bike as simple as possible, lowers your time spent on maintenance. Personally I run a fixied gear, with only a front brake. Two things to maintain, a chain and a brake, and no matter what bike you get, spent the time to learn to do the simple repairs.
2. But a lot of focus on your bike fit and the right saddle. You can have the world's best bike and if it don't fit, it wil be the world's worst.
3 atleast in Denmark, don't wear cycling clothes, everybody will look at you like you are an idiot.
4. Unless you are a an trained and skilled cyclist in traffic, don't and I say don't listen to music, it can cost you your life.
5. Always carry a small tool back, with a bike multitool, patches for a flat tire and a bike pump. And of course learn to use it.
6. Learn to enjoy the absolute freedom a bike gives you. And as said in the video, you'll see your city from a whole other perspective.
Number 1 would make your bike not road safe in Germany. We are supposed to have two independent brakes but I agree with the keeping it as simple as possible.
@@spinni81 we are supposed to have that too, but riding an fixed gear in theory I have 2.
We have to have reflex on the front, back, in the wheels and on the pedals. And we have too have a bell.
Most danish bikes have a front break and a coasting brake.
What do you mean with skilled and trained cyclist, because while I have almost 10 years experience cycling in Amsterdam, I wouldn't call myself "skilled", but it also isn't that dangerous to listen to music with earphones
I live in a medium sized city in the UK, I feel as long as you are aware of your surroundings and not using active noise cancelling or anything like that you should be fine. I listen to music and can still hear cars around me as the sound comes through. I'd just say read the highway code and learn how to use the roads by doing theory practices and you should be fine with music.
I think your list is a bit too much for a newbie. If the commute is within a city and less than 20 min there is no need to bring tools with you, you can walk the bike to the nearest bike shop if you have a problem. Where I live you only need to have a bike, a lock, and know how to ride it, that's it.
Now I commute a longer distance (ca 15 km) and I do have much more gear though.
Teach your kids how to ride to school safely. One of the best things we can do as a parent, for many reasons. As you are creating a very natural response to jump on their bike, to do anything, instead of sitting in a car.
You are creating a healthy habit for them, without them realizing it. They will thank you, some day.
Nearly every day, one of my kids say, it's so good to ride. Every kid needs that opportunity to feel that, and realize it for themselves. Be that person that creates a wonderful lifetime habit for the one you love the most.
Happy riding!
When Canadians are saying something positive about their community, they say 'here in Canada'. When they say something negative, they say 'in North America'.
Ooohhhh😀
Because USA sucks
That's because so many of the bad urban design elements are pretty consistent across North America. Doing something right seems to need a persistent grassroots nudge and even then, it rarely propogates into other jurisdictions.
No, it is because Canadians are always trying to crap on the US and praise themselves. Incidentally, Canadians are no longer allowed to participate in the US Green Card program. Guess why? America sucks sooo bad that we were flooded with Canadians wanting to come. British are also not allowed.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one that realized this 😭😭
I started biking 2 months and a half ago and, to me, bikes are still pretty much a way to exercise my body. Instead of going to the gym or jogging, I ride the bike. I'm trying to change my mindset about it and really start to see bikes as a transportation mode instead. My city is not too friendly to bike commuters, though, and that can represent a big obstacle to really start moving around.
I really enjoy your channel, keep up the great work!
i think for some people its really healthy sharing and "bragging" about your commute, "people dont brag about their bus commute" well a bike commute (depending on how hard of a workout you make it for yourself) is alot more effort and its healthy to have pride and develop confidence in something.
receiving criticism or praise for achieving high commuting distance or intense labour is a healthy thing and encourages harder work in other people as well. a kind of healthy competition as you would.
we used to have a strava compete thing (all commuters) where we'd try to push eachother to cycle more often and it was super healthy n positive. - i reached a new weekly record of 350km on a £90 rusted apollo evade thanks to this healthy kind of commuting encouragement and strategy - it might not be for you but i definitely wouldnt call it a mistake.
You're not crazy. You're absolutely right to advise people to be realistic. I spent 6 months in Thailand last year and I met dozens of disillusioned men who had huge expectations and were essentially living off of the lies they tell themselves an others.
Picked up everything in my commuting set up for under 1,000 USD. I haven't used a car to commute in 3 months now. Found this channel after I had already started the journey and was looking for some solutions with storage. Love the videos, thanks a ton for the effort!
«Any day that you get a bike ride is better», period. 👍
Mistake number 9: waiting at a traffic light with sensors that work only for cars…the light will never go green.
Where are you? In Ottawa we have bike sensors (that no one seems to know about). You can recognise them by three yellow dots on the pavement.
Subbed! My fave part: "be a cycling friend, not a competitor"
Very well articulated video. My experience as a cycle commuter started in 1989. It was a process of trial, error, more trial, more error, etc. to arrive at some conclusions. Before anything else enjoy your commute. Ride it a few times on the weekend before your first commute. It'll give you an idea of time/effort, etc.
1) Don't commute in your work clothes or work in your cycling clothes. Find where you can change clothes and towel off if necessary. It gets sweaty and hygiene matters.
2) Acquire basic bike maintenance skills and tools. Learn to fix a flat on the road.
3) Base your bike choice on commuting distance, terrain and seasonal fluctuations. You may not need a geared bike at all. Keep it simple.
4) The same with gear. Helmet, gloves, windbreaker, 😎, padded liner for longer commutes, etc. You'll figure it out.
5) As your acumen and gear list grows don't let it overwhelm you. What you'll settle for at 3 months just won't work anymore in your 8th month. But, that's the nature of experience.
6) "It never gets easier you just go faster." - Greg Lemond
My commuter rig now is a Reid City Bike obtained from Evocycles in New Zealand. It came with mudguards, rack, v-brakes, 3x7 gearing. I changed the gearing to 1x7. My add-ons were Ortlieb Sport 15 L panniers, Topeak Road Morph framepump, generic wb cage, Cygolite 350L frt and 80L Hot Shot rr combo, Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700x32mm tires, dual-sided Wellgo spd pedals, generic undersaddle toolbag with tube, patchkit, multi-tool, metal tirelevers, chaintool. All totaled I've got about 1500.00 NZD (935.00 USD) in my bike with upgrades.
My clothes and shoes are all cycling specific with padded liners under shorts or long sport pants depending on weather. In cold weather if you don't start out a little chilly you're probably overdressed. I've got about 1500.00 NZD in my clothing gear as well. For those who may think that a little excessive try finding a dependable car for 3000.00 NZD that uses zero petrol, is dependable, leves no carbon footprint and is good for your health and well being. My present commute is 52km(32m) round trip. So, I need reliable, quality gear.
More than anything else just get out the door. There is a strong sense of satisfaction in building a personalized rig and dealing with the elements, traffic and naysayers. Cycle commuting will toughen you up physically, mentally and spiritually. 30+ years and I've never regretted a day ridden. Only days I didn't. Happy Commuting. It's an iconoclastic existence. Stock up on oatmeal. You gonna need it. lol
EDIT: Btw, I live outside Wellington, NZ. I tutor guitar at Newlands Intermediate School teaching group classes for ages 7-12. My residence is in Whitby near The Shops on Discovery. See Google Maps. You can plug in those two co-ordinates along with the bicycle icon. I use thevMiddle Road route through Porirua, Tawas and Johnson City. I use Hester Road, but pull off and climb Stewart Road Hill. Cheers, mates.
For safety I'd recommend a high viz vest. My son, who's a bus driver, says that's what he looks out for. And lights unless it's really bright daylight. When riding think about keeping your effort constant rather than trying to maintain the same speed. This makes hills easy; you just drop down a gear, slow down a bit but keep peddling at the same rate/effort. Above all enjoy it. There's lots to learn and that's part of the enjoyment. I started as a commuter but I tour now too which a whole other world. Some great advice in the video and in other comments. Cyclists are the best. 🙂
ABSOLUTELY!! (High Viz!)
High Viz; BIG YES..not everyone is young with great eye sight..not everyone is concentrating as much, as a cyclist MUST!
I agree with one caveat, if you have a backpack, look for a highviz cover for that, as that is more noticable than a vest on your body.
Your bike doesn't have retroreflectors all around? That's a legal requirement here in the Netherlands...
@@fatfrreddy1414 People with poor eyesight need to consider whether they should be driving.
We have far too many people killed by people pleading the SMIDSY (Sorry mate I didn't see you) excuse, when what they actually mean is they did not look.
But we have quite a number killed by people with cars who can't read a number plate at the required distance.
For anyone that rides a mountain bike in an urban environment, I’d suggest using cyclocross tires. The tread is meant for both on and off road. I’ve been very happy changing to these tires and have been using them for a few years now. Having both on and off road capability is great if you ride on the streets, paved paths or off in the dirt.
I'm running Pathfinder Sport on my hybrid. 38" with a smooth track down the middle. Knobby tread on the sides.
I use the Continental Cyclocross Race tires on my fixed gear Surly Steamroller
Love them for hitting trails and riding tbe city
#tracklocrossftw
Both of those look fairly similar to mine which are Vee Tire Co Speedster. It's great to have another couple of suggestions on this type of tire. I may try one of those out next time I need new ones.
The assumption that you can recognize the rolling resistance of a tire based on its profile is unfortunately wrong. Many tires with a relatively smooth surface in particular have a comparatively high rolling resistance. On the other hand, certain good mountain biking tires not only have a very low rolling resistance but at the same time also have the advantage of a effectivly high puncture protection due to the knobs and good grip, e.g. in unexpected snowfalls. (For the winter I have a special bike on which studded tires are constantly mounted.)
In order to find a tire that guarantees low rolling resistance, good puncture protection and good grip, you should study the relevant tests thoroughly, especially tests in which measured values are actually given. Unfortunately, tires with good properties are relatively expensive, but they are still worth every cent.
(Ed.: Smooth tires have a significantly lower air resistance, especially at particularly high speeds, but this is usually only noticeable at speeds such as those driven in road races or similar.)
Alternatively, depending on your rim width (esp on modern mountain bikes), you may need something larger. I've been commuting on Surly ExtraTerrestrials and have been quite happy. Only tire I've found that combines large width, pavement friendly tread, and tubeless compatible. That last one is now a hard criteria for me. I'll never go back to running tubes if I can help it.
1) When temp < 5 C fingers and toes get cold faster on a bike than walking, so I recommend warm socks and gloves. Pack 2nd pair of socks for the office or just bring a weeks worth of clean ones on Monday.
2) Carry a small towel or bandana to dry your seat for return ride Or use to stop bleeding for the time you or other commuter wipe out. Real experience.
3) Use your voice to communicate with pedestrians. Seems strange but I find I'm on mute when I ride. Working on that.
4) Don't let other users (cars, pedestrians) make you mad. Riding angry leads to poor decisions and accidents. Seen it. Administering first aid to you slows my commute so just put on your teflon coat and enjoy the ride.
Not just warm-windproof.
Careful of WET LEAVES, skid hazard!
Oof the first one, yea I seem to be a lot more sensitive to that starting somewhere between 30-35 years old when it's actually freezing. Especially my hands, but fortunately for mild cold like the
@@Mindsi oh, yeah!
I used to dispatch for a taxi company. More accidents in the fall from wet leaves (not necessarily involving our cabbies) than due to ice in winter. (And I lived somewhere with several months of icy conditions.)
I like the guy that sings “Bike lane! You’re in the bike lane, you’re in the bike lane! Move outta the way!” to the Star Wars theme song while commuting in NYC.
I was a bike commuter for many years in New York City and worked at a bike shop for 16 years. I’ve have heath issue that prevented me from riding or feel safe riding. Just 15 days ago I started riding again for exercise. It’s so strange because it has always been about commuting or doing errands. I’m so happy to do so. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
I sort of clicked on this video by accident but it immediately caught my attention. It's really inspired me to go on a ride, even if I don't end up riding to school right away.
While I sort see the point in videos like this, but the first tip is really the only tip people need. Get a bike and start riding to work. That's it.
The more tips we start giving out the less likely are new people will be willing to start, because "Oh no, I need to think of this, that and the other"
Just grab a bike and go, the rest will work itself out.
And now you've over analyzed the whole thing. Guess what? You're the ONLY one doing this.
Very true! Bike commuting is just that, hopping on a bike and getting from point A to point B.
Yeah, don't make it a big deal. Just do it.
Also, teach and inspire your kids to ride to school in safety. And their friends. Then, jumping on bike to do anything becomes second nature.
We often see my son's class mates go by in cars. He yells their name and waves. We catch them at the traffic lights, nearly every day, and chat or fly past.
My son's friends think we are crazy to ride around town, but we are teaching others that it's totally doable if one is willing.
With a bicycle, you can go anywhere. It's a freedom machine.
I started bike commuting at the end of this summer and found out that using bike shares is a lot more beginner-friendly than my own bike! Yes it costs a monthly fee (though here in Montreal it's currently very cheap at $19/month including unlimited rides of 45min or less - much more affordable than even a bus pass), because it allows more flexibility to switch to public transit if you're too tired, sweaty, or if the weather is no good!
That's great. I briefly considered just doing a bike share but decided to do both, use bike share around town and for quick trips, and ride my own bikes for laps around the park and visiting other neighborhoods for some sightseeing and exploration. I see the benefits of both, and have been enjoying more rides in the past 3 weeks than the years prior. The e-bike I tried out in our bike share prompted me to get my own, so a win-win all around. More biking, less sitting. And I am freezing my gym membership in the meantime while it's still nice enough to ride and enjoy being outdoors.
Personally, my main issue with bike shares is that there's no guarantee that you can find a bike when you need it and also the bike you do get may be difficult to ride, though I suppose it depends on the type of service. In China, the shared bikes tend to be mostly plastic (or rusted -- which is definitely worse), small (which kinda sucks for me who prefers a much larger frame), and during rush hours it's difficult to actually find a functional bike despite having hundreds of them on the street the night before. The time I spend wrestling with a shared bike is just not worth it on short 15-min commutes where even during bad weather it's not so bad to wear through. Besides, a main advantage to biking as opposed to any other transportation is that you take the exact same amount of time to get to work every day (usually down to minutes in difference from traffic lights, as opposed to 5 to even 20 mins if you bus or drive). Having to locate a shared bike and then pray it actually moves kinda ruins that aspect. (Yes, you can ride a lot faster on an "actual" bike than plastic bikes which slows down far quicker)
I disagree about #6. My commute is ten miles. One way. Athletic clothing can be okay. but twenty miles a day, five days a week, week after week. I found that I started migrating over to tight bicycle clothing because on a long ride like mine it is more comfortable. Not for aerodynamics but because of sweat wicking and chaffing. Every one has a different commute, granted. But for my unique situation it was a matter of comfort. I also have a shower at work and can push my ride a little faster, so showing up sweaty is never an issue for me. Cycling clothing makes more sense. If your commute is short or you don't have that option may go with his suggestion. Specialty clothing is expensive. If you ride as much as I do you will lose weight and need to replace you new fancy clothes. I think it is a matter of comfort. At least invest a couple of pair of cycling shorts for hot weather days.
This.
I cannot understand how anyone can ride in jeans... That is just torture. Cycling-specific clothing exists for a reason.
Yep. I agree. Not wearing cycle clothing because you don't want your work colleagues to see you in it is just giving into the hate . I don't care what they think , I will wear the clothes that work best for my particular cycling trip. And if it's Lycra then that's just fine. And bright colours make you visible.
The presenter is from a cold climate. Where I live in Australia cycling in work clothes is asking for agonising heat rash. Pretty much everyone ends up commuting in cycling knicks or MTB shorts, although many people wear an athletic top rather than a more expensive cycling jersey. A shower after a long afternoon ride is essential, although that's usually the leg to home. An Australian-specific guide would have suggested freezing one of the water bottles, and the symptoms of heat exhaustion (ie, if you're feeling dizzy then don't push on, find some shade, have a drink; if you're hallucinating or lacking cognitive function then cool down immediately, even something as basic as entering someone's garden and putting your head under their front water tap.)
@@turboseize I.................. literally just bought a new bike so I could cycle in a skirt. If you're traveling long distances sure, but if you're only biking a few kilometers wear what you want, your choice of transport doesn't always need to dictate your outfit.
I think the point is more that you shouldn't feel like you _need_ cycling clothing. If you want to wear it, sure. I usually don't bother. I can't stand the diaper shorts, but I will wear a cycling jersey if I'm doing a 100k ride, or racing at the track, but for my daily commute it's a t-shirt and shorts. Add rain pants+jacket when it's pissing rain, maybe a hoodie or arm warmers if it's near freezing.
I used a hybrid bike (Giant Roam 2) to commute for multiple reasons. First, my route from home included some very rough roads, railroad crossings, a stretch on a dirt fire road and a stint on commuter rail. My ride home included some fairly steep uphill climbs. I needed something sturdy and versatile but light enough to hump up and down the stairs at the train station. Second, I worked in a high crime area. We had a good place to lock our bikes but it wasn't completely immune to theft. The bike thieves who got past security knew what they were looking for and it wasn't a sub-$1,000 bike like my tweener with three different types of locks on it. It was always passed over when the bike thieves struck. Third, it would also serve as my running errands around town bike. The same versatility and lack of "cool" served me well in this capacity. I could lock it up at the shopping center or bowling alley and it would be there when I came back out.
Yup, I live in a suburban area with poorly maintained sidewalks next to a main road, so handling rough terrain is a must, even when not going on rough trails.
I ride 10 miles per/day on a Target $149 Huffy Highland. It’s slow but it gets the job done & I just cruise. I’d just like to tell new bike commuters to watch for broken glass & plan ahead of you get stranded with a flat tire, because it will happen. Other than that, routinely check your nuts n bolts, make sure everything is tight & check your tire pressures weekly.
My top tips - panniers for the gear (and lunch), mudguards to stay clean, and use the cycle paths.
Panniers have been awesome! I had a back basket and ended switching to that and I can carry so much more from the grocery store.
Your point about logistics is often overlooked by many. I have a weekend big boy bike, and a commuting Brompton folding bike. The folding bike make so much sense to me. I can ride door-to-door to work, ride part of the way and take the bike with me on public transport. If I get a flat, and I absolutely have to be somewhere, I can shove it in the back of an Uber/ regular car. With my weekend bike, I need to deal with locking it, storing it. Such a pain! I don't like to leave my bike unattended.
I love your perspective on 'not bragging' because bike commuting should be accessible to all and it shouldn't be seen as something only 'serious cyclists' in lycra can do! Thanks for making these videos! They are great :)
Your comment about what to wear for your commute brought back memories of our dept. head on my ship. The Weapons Boss used his bike to commute. He commuted in his uniform and everything. I can't remember if he wore his shoes, or if he changed in to them when he arrived to the ship (he lived off base). The only special piece of gear I remember him wearing was a a pant clip on his right leg, so his pants wouldn't get caught in the chain.
01:38 that is the best advice for ANY hobby. You will never know what you really need until you start doing it. What usually happens say with hunting is that you buy all the gear and then spend the next 6 months getting rid of most of it trying to slim down your gear to the absolute minimum essentials.
The hybrid bike one hits home for me. I have a "mountain" bike that makes it a pain to go long distances in the city and I only spend my time in a few gears, so I force myself to appreciate how powerful it is by going on trails once or twice a week and enjoying that feeling of climbing up hills as if they're nothing
Growing up I only ever had a mountain bike, so when I finally decided to get one this summer my first thought was yes of course I should get a mountain bike. After doing more research I of course learned that that wouldn't be the best choice for strictly getting around my small town. I ended up choosing a 7 speed hybrid comfort upright bike and it's perfect!
I'm riding mountain bikes for decades now, but after my first attempt to commute with on of those, I bought a second bike with a trekking/city layout. Moutain or road/racing bikes are sports devices. They really suck at commuting in comfort.
Is it possible that my $100 Walmart bike is under powered. I have to go uphill both ways everyday and it's a pain in the ass so I usually have to walk halfway
@@coindog6336 you'll find alot of good deals on fb marketplace. I ended up getting two fuji road bikes 500 brand new for $40, sold em both for $40 each and then bought my hybrid bike $600 brand new off of fb marketplace for 50 bucks
@@coindog6336 there's alot of people who sell used treks for like 75 and quality hybrid bikes for a good deal as well
The one and only mistake newbies make: not doing it because [insert reason].
At the risk of sounding like a cliché, just do it. Everything else will come, don't worry about it.
If you want to kit up, then kit up. If you want to dress like Darth Santa in a kilt playing bag pipes, go for it.
When you start out and you're still excited about it, you're going to buy stuff that later you'll realize you don't need. You're going to carry more gear than you need. Etc. Don't worry about it. It's how you learn.
Well said. I've made all 8 of the mistakes mentioned in the video, but as you stated you have to get out there and do it.
I only started riding in July and I've definitely been figuring out what works and what doesn't. Like I recently switched from a back basket to panniers. I can now carry so much more!
I'm Dutch and cycling is just normal to me, so great job on giving all this basicly Dutch advice :-)
I do have one constructive comment though: don't talk about cities, but urban areas. In Europe we have enormous amount of little, but still big enough towns that have people that cycle. The Netherlands polder area is a great example of this. It's not like you stop cycling when you go out of the city here!
Exactly! I‘ve lived in two (non-dutch european) cities, one small city and a metropolis. The smaller one seemed nicer for cycling in retrospect, maybe because there were less cars and (somewhat) better bike infrastructure.
"Any day that you get a bike ride is better than a day without a bike ride" ❤
I round a rack on a pile of stuff that I found on the way down the street, & screwed on an old basket to it & now I use the basket all the time for both shopping, as well as commuting.
Separate bike for mountain bike riding.
Really great video.
thanks for the vid. My advice would be: wear a helmet(I have had accidents during commuting and saved my life!) and wear lycra (spandex) if you want, proper cycling gear has the pockets necessary for phone, wallet, keys etc, dries quickly, takes up less space at work and is easy to clean.
Great advice, especially the part about being kind to yourself. It is OK to only cycle commute once a week or once a month if doing it more often does not work for you. I am also a big fan of “ride what you brought”; gear, especially new gear, is cool but it is likely a want rather than a need 😏. And finally, there is absolutely no reason for gatekeepers; the bicycle played an important role in the emancipation of women. Every time I see a cyclist (however they choose to embrace our love of our machines with two or three wheels) my heart sings at the sight of a kindred spirit. Ride on!
My tip for bike commuting: keep it interesting with a set of different routes. I personally have a short, low in cars route (my main route), a bad weather route, a workout hill route (several hundred vertical meters) and a scenic route. More to come.
To late, I purchased a roam 2 because that's all I could find in my area. With the bike and parts being limited. Yes should have waited; however after a few months of riding at 71 yrs, I'm happy I did. I get out more in other areas then the city, parks, trails not mountain bike trails and bike path. This week bike packing to my local conversation area. Just loving it and next year a gravel bike for sure.
Nothing beats finding an exciting news cut through. The mental map thing is so cool too, started cycling again recently and I have fallen in love with it again. It’s like being a kid again!!
Thanks for the video! I recently joined a bike advocacy group in my city and I feel so out of place there, since they seem like "real cyclists", and I just want a way to move around the city without a car 🙈 It really helps to hear from more experienced cyclists that I don't have to go full sport mode and wear cycling clothes 😅
Great job joining an advocacy group in your city. I think advocacy groups are stronger when they have many different voices. Good luck!
@@Shifter_Cycling thank you!
If everyone is a veteran there, they'll need your opinion even more! It's always difficult to see things from a noob's perspective when you've been doing something for so long. And if the bike community wants to grow, it definitely needs that noob perspective!!!
Thank you for your time and hard work!
This was a very cohesive and digestible list. I don't know much, but I feel like I'll be a tiny bit smarter and safer because of what I learned here.
Here are 10 things I learned commuting 20km each way on the shoulder of an 80 km/h highway for several years: 1. Learn every possible alternative to being on that busy road shoulder, such as park cut-throughs and cycle paths. 2. Haha work somewhere with great cycle commute facilities such as showers/lockers and bike storage! 3. Be safety conscious: wear glasses (bugs hurt when making a direct hit with an eyeball at 25 km/h), wear a helmet and gloves, have good flashing lights front and rear to be seen. Wear a high viz top - maybe a basic orange and blue labourer's shirt. You definitely get treated with more respect by drivers than when wearing lycra. Carry a bell and use it to warn pedestrians you are near. 4. If your route doesn't have monster hills, consider a single speed bike with cyclocross tyres for puncture protection, simplicity and efficiency. 5. Definitely get mudguards (fenders to you North Americans). 6. Invest in a good rain jacket with bright colours. 7. Carry a spare folding tyre, as highways are littered with glass and metal shards that shredded a couple of my tyres. 8. Install a mirror (if on high speed roads). 9. Be a good road citizen - obey all road rules and never ever run red traffic lights. 10. Carry I.D with you with next of kin contact details. Happy commuting everyone!
rather than puncture resistant tires which are slow, uncomfortable and often slippery use good quality tires and put sealant in the inner tube (if you don't have a tubeless setup)
MIstake no. 1 is riding without helmet. Most important life-saver. You can find pretty good quality ones maybe even with mips for around 100 euros. For me a must have for every ride.
10 years commuting to work,one of the best things I've done for my health,bought 2 used ones and built a 3rd one myself,I learned from YT 🙋💪🕊️
Hybrid bikes are basically the SUVs of the biking world. We buy them for the potential utility, most of which we barely ever take advantage of.
I think most people buy them because they look cool. I always find it odd when I see someone riding an MTB-ish bike in the city, then I'm thinking 15 year old me did the same, I can't blame them it just looks cooler. Nowadays I enjoy efficiency riding a Brompton, kids always find it funny, adults are surprised when I'm just faster.
Nailed it, Edmonton area cyclist here, my only addition is prepare for the weather with your bike, my thin tired (700cX35) hybrid did not work in winter every day, even with studded tires...now have a fat bike for snow days. Also, good lights and visibility aids, driver acceptance is an ongoing challenge in my experience.
All except one of my bikes have drop handlebars. My commuter of choice was my touring bike, mainly because it can carry luggage and has lots of gears. I had a long climb on the return leg of my old commute (recently retired so no longer commute to work). I nearly always wore Lycra - I never cared what my co-workers thought.
I've been wearing Lycra since my cargo pants pocket got caught on the saddle horn and I fell onto an active road. After 2 years, I don't feel right wearing street clothes. Screw the critics. (Also newly retired.) Now I get up in the morning and put on my bike shorts or if it's too cold or too sunny (sunburn), my bike pants. Every day is a biking day now.
Just ordered an ebike that's on its way that I'm planning to use for my commute and found your channel through the rain poncho video. (I live outside of Vancouver and we get a lot of rain). While you might not have inspired me to make the decision, the videos I've watched have definitely lowered the bar for entry and gave me really practical things to think about without being overwhelming like some bike forums online that I had looked at prior. So thanks for that. Plus you just seem so friendly, it's infectious and makes your videos that much more fun to watch.
If you got an ebike you won't sweat as much, so cheap rubberized waterproof jacket & trousers will be ok. I wear Orange hi viz ones I got issued at work, but they only cheap to buy anyway.
hi i am in my 60's only been riding for the last two years (an E bike) in the UK, came across your channel looking at poncho's, what a fantastic channel full of great tips for new bikers, plain and simple you are doing a fantastic job thank you so much
Nice video. The point about dressing for the destination, not the ride, is great for US commuters. Too easy to get caught up in the lycra bro mentality, and before ya know it, ppl are turned away from cycling b/c of the time it takes to just get out the door, because they're uncomfortable once they arrive, or b/c they just don't like the lycra scene. Thanks for the great content.
Love this! I live in a very rainy area so the gear I needed was more in depth than if someone wasn't going to go out in pouring rain because there's no other options. I got a waterproof pannier, a biking rain jacket, and a bike rack. over the years I've gained waterproof hiking shoes, rain pants and a few more bags!
Figuring out the logistics takes some time indeed! One thing that definitely helped me is talking to coworkers who commute by bike. Also, the fact that I knew that they biked to work because I had seen them, not because I had smelled them, helped me calm down with regards to hygiene. And I would never think of commuting as fitness - so much start/stop/slow/stop/etc at intersections! But it does boost my heart and adrenaline in the morning, which is very nice.
Also time ago I used to have a post-it on the handlebar with the directions, until I learned the route.
I love clicking on a random video only to find that it is my city five seconds into the video. My company is moving downtown by the end of the year and I’m thinking about semi-biking it (C-train+bike). Great content, keep it up!
I have been riding for 15 years and it's most the time the best part of my day.
Tip: Remember, you are traffic. You have as much rights to the road as motorist but that also means you have the same responsibilities as a motorist. In other words, you have to follow the rules.
Good tips! Some I had thought of and some I didn’t.
This tip definitely deserves a place in the mistakes list.
Great tip! Thank you. It can be difficult to assert your place on the road, even if you have the legal right to. But understanding those rights is the first step.
About tip 3: get a bike map from your local cycling campaign, showing all the routes that government maps don't or won't. (Isn't it annoying that the google login process takes so long that I missed the live chat.)
This is a great point. There's also a few GPS maps out there that focus on cycling and take into consideration things like hills and busy roads. Bikemaps.net has popular routes in most cities, for example.
Maps are useful to learn from when not on the bike. Otherwise just riding is the best way to learn a city. When you have time, try another route.
Wish you would comment on Adult Trikes as commuters. I love my Trike and I use it for small errands, feel safe, plenty of storage for groceries. The worrisome issue is my trike being stolen. I appreciate all the advice and tips you provide in your show. Thank you
Agree with everything!
Register it, buy the best lock you can, lock it in sensible places (well lit not hidden away) and insure it (check if it can be added to your house/contents insurance). If you've done all that enjoy your ride 😀 otherwise the thieves
@@OneLessCar normally I’d say yes to everything you’ve said, and it’s all generally good advice, however
1.) adaptive trikes (handcycles recumbents upright etc) tend to be way more expensive than a 2 wheel bike (usually starting around $1500-$2000 USD for entry recumbents trikes and $3k-$4k USD for entry handcycles)
2.) due to the high price, they usually will not be covered by home insurance, so you need to get bike specific insurance
3.) they are a pain to lock up, especially in less bike friendly areas (this was my biggest shock when commuting, it’s basically impossible to lock with a Ulock due to its size)
4.) long back orders for adaptive trikes (12+ months) and due to a lot of people buying these things as a primary form of transportation (due to lack of licenses, old age, disability, etc) being without a form of transport for that long would not be fun.
Although in a lot of ways they stand out a lot, first time I pulled up to my local farmers market, I turned a lot of heads and has 2 people inquiry about it just while I was locking up. This helps prevent theft but also even to help recover it potentially, but can also possible make the trike more at risk for theft in certain scenarios.
The big thing that’s unfortunate is that you can’t use public transit when on a trike, and they’re a lot harder to transport than normal bikes (but that’s to be expected due to its increased size, and folding trikes are a thing-though expensive) it does bring up an interesting conversation about cycling infrastructure cause I find some cycling paths are too narrow for adaptive trikes, so you gotta stick to the roads or shared pathways, but even then, you take up more than 50% of the width of the shared path. So I think the discussion on the intersection of cycling infrastructure and accessibility is an important and interesting one!
@@ethangillese What do you suggest. instead? One Less Car offered solutions, you came to say why nothing would work but didn't offer any alternatives. What's. the use?
@@blueskies773 nah he had good advice, but there isn’t really an alternative on the market without the right infrastructure or without spending an arm and a leg on a velomobile cover.
A lot of trikes you can’t even lock up to bike racks due to their size.
So usually I can get away with a bike alarm with a frame lock/chain add on. But still, not the most secure and my home insurance wouldn’t cover it if it was stolen
I really like your channel. In Penticton when I moved here 30 plus years ago I realized it was a perfect place for bike commuting. A safe lockup cage for bikes then made it doable. It was often the best part of my day I think.
nice tips, thank you!
i might add, when you plan your journey, don't stick to the short/straight route.
try to find a flatter and safer route instead. even when it's a bit longer.
This video came out at the perfect time. I literally just got my RadCity 5+ built yesterday for commuting and around-town purposes, and this actually reinforced the mindset I already had: get a bike that you enjoy riding. Don't live up to others' expectations, be your own judge. If I'm gonna be biking for fitness, it'll be when I ride my bike to the gym, get a good workout in, and then ride home.
I use a regular bike, but there is nothing about an ebike that would prevent you from getting a good workout commuting.
There’s a lot of interesting science about this coming out where riding an ebike is about as good as a normal bike in regards to cardio, as you’re still pedaling and more weight at that. You may exert less muscle force in pushing the pedals but over time it balances it out since you’re using it much more!
@@kenhayward3257 eBikes aren't really competitors to normal bicycles. I think a survey about eBikes was that around 80% of eBike trips were car replacement trips.
Since I got my ebike I’ve been cycling maybe 5-6 days per week, average 30km/day, including work commute. Even though I’ve always loved biking, before the ebike I biked way less than that. Now I want to see if I can keep it up into Montreal winter.
Thanks for the tips!! Agree with all 8.. Learnt how to ride a bicycle in 3 days by myself in the driveway. I think the biggest challenge I faced is the fear of getting out into the street along with cars where there is no bike lanes. My advice for that is - just something you have to get used to. I am from Sydney, Australia and where I am from, cyclists and cars share the road and one shouldn’t have priority over the other. Actually I realised that most motorists are more anxious about hitting us than of us being anxious about getting hit by them.
Great tips, I keep hair gel & a comb at work to fix up my helmet hair, little logistics like this are easy in hindsight but take a little while to think up and set up.
I notice he did not wear a helmet. They are so light (not like motorcycle helmets) that you really don't notice them. I place a handkerchief on the inside to avoid the wavy look that the hole create.
@@albernal6653 He cycled like the Dutch. In the Netherlands no one wears a helmet.
I citibike to work in NYC 2-3 times a week. I’ll admit to making all these mistakes when I started 2 years ago. Especially focusing on speed over efficiency.
Something adjacent to gear overload is what I like to dub gear creep. There's just so many things you can add or modify and you can just as easily get carried away with things you don't really need or use all that often. For example, you might get convinced to buy a rear rack and some panniers because some guy on youtube said they were better than a backpack (they are, but you get what I mean)!
Side note: water-resistant commuting trousers are my favourite gear, they're breathable and great for light to moderate showers, and they're perfect for wearing to the office.
cheaper commute and flexibility of location over paying enormous amount of money for annual train ticket for fixed schedule and stops is my biggest motivation for commuting by bike!
Yes! The predictability of bike commuting is a huge bonus.
I find two features of hybrid bikes to be drawbacks for commuting: external gears and suspension forks. Both give little value for commute and require maintenance. Entry level suspension fork is also at least 1kg heavier than any rigid fork.
External gears are a must when you live in a hilly area.
@@karlrovey he means derailleur vs hub gears, not no gears.
Beautiful scenery there in Calgary & some great advice. I started commuting in January 2021 and I've made every one of these mistakes 😅.
Bro. Super helpful content thanks
Thank you so much! Glad you're getting something out of these videos.
I also want to add a little and say if you're not really sure if you want to get into commuting just remember all of the physical health benefits and the money you'd save yourself, no more having to pay for public transportation, No more having to pay for parking meters, the list could go on for MUCH longer but you get my point.
All you need are these 7 things
1. is a bike that you know fits you
2. A helmet, just please get one, they're like $30 on Amazon you want to be able to live your life so you can enjoy the many benefits of using a bike now. You never know.
3, 4 & 5. A Backpack and some water, maybe even a small snack in case you get hungry and to also replenish you quickly while you are out riding.
6 & 7. A U lock and cable combo (I suggest the Via Velo u lock for decent enough protection for your bike and it also comes with a cable for more security[you can find that on Amazon])
And that's it:) Hope this helps anyone who reads this
Great tips, especially the last tip about bragging. I'm guilty of this sometimes.
Me too.
To be fair, my coworkers always ask about my bike commute so I have to talk about it 😂
That's why you need strava. You are still bragging, but your audience is fellow cyclists, so you don't get onto anybody's nerves.
To impress your co-workers, don't say anything; just keep cycling irrespective of weather and let the ice in your beard do the talking. If that is not enough, consume their daily calory intake at once during lunch break and then complain about portions being too small. This works especially well if your co-workers are on a diet.
I commuted in the United States, Denver, Colorado, and Henderson, Nevada, all of my adult working life. I highly recommend a helmet and cycling gloves. Eventually you're going to crash. Protect your head and your hands. I've been hit by motorists twice in Denver. One was hit and run. Unprotected bike lanes are better than none but they are "unprotected." Sometimes a paved path can be slick. The unexpected will happen. Be prepared for it.
That's why I always use full finger gloves with some offroad protection when riding on a road.
Yes this 100%. that was the first thing I learned was how important gloves are. (Helmets were already a part of my routine because of mountain biking, which is more crash dangerous, in my opinion and in my city at least.)
Also a headlamp can be really useful to get attention of motorists. A swiveling light even if pointed down gets more attention than a fixed light on a bike frame.
I plan to move to Calgary one day and it's a great chance to get a glimpse of this city from your perspective. I've been cycling a lot lately around Shanghai, China but would definitely like to try it out in Calgary.
Be safe 🙌
Great! Calgary is slowly but surely getting more bike friendly. Hopefully by the time you make it here things will be even better.
what is cycling in shanghai like? is the city supporting it?
I really like that you pointed out the "no brainer once you figure it out," but you didn't know that starting out." I'd love to see more of those unique little situations where you worked out a oh-so-simple solution. Thanks!