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feature
Common bike commuting mistakes and how to avoid them Sept 2024Common bike commuting mistakes and how to avoid them — our top tips for hassle-free rides to and from work
Commuting by bike is a cost-effective alternative to driving or public transport, saving you time and stress by spending less time sitting in traffic or trying to find a parking space. It gives you a bit of exercise each day and is better for the environment, as well as saving you money in the long run. However, there are some common mistakes that can make your ride less enjoyable or even unsafe. Here are some common commuter mistakes and how to avoid them...
1. Not carrying spares or tools for roadside repairs
> How to keep your bike running smoothly
First on our list is to carry a spare tube, tyre levers, and a mini pump or CO2 canister to handle punctures - even if you're riding tubeless. Punctures are an unfortunate reality of cycling, and it’s important to be prepared for them, especially during your daily commutes if you have a meeting to get to at 9 am. Hopefully, you won’t need them, but you'll be glad to have them if you do.
A multi-tool is also a must-have for handling a range of issues that might come up during your commute. Minor mechanical failures don't need to be disastrous - they can often be fixed on the spot.
> A beginner's guide to building your first bike tool set
When choosing a multi-tool, make sure it has all the functions you need for your bike, including any sneaky Torx heads. It's also a good idea to familiarise yourself with some basic repair skills to stay prepared. Semi-regular bike maintenance on your bike will help you catch signs of wear or damage early, reducing the chances of problems occurring in the first place.
Carrying these essentials doesn’t need to take up a lot of room, especially with compact and lightweight options like TPU inner tubes available. Simply put them in your backpack, saddlebag or pannier and leave them there for whenever you need them. It's a good idea to store your spare tools and inner tube in a smaller bag to prevent them from rattling around in your rucksack or panniers and damaging the tube before you even need it.
2. Poor route planning
Simon MacMichael
The route that you take to work will very much depend on where you live and where you’re heading but it’s worth considering the traffic volume, terrain and cycle infrastructure when planning your route to make it as stress-free as possible.
The shortest route or most direct route you'd take by car isn't always the best choice as it may include the busiest sections or the most elevation. By selecting the bike icon on Google Maps, you can find more cycle-friendly routes between your house and the office. Other platforms like Strava, Komoot and Cycle Streets also offer useful mapping tools. Some GPS devices, such as Garmin, even provide popularity routing, using data from online activities to recommend the most popular and cyclist-friendly routes between two points.
It’s worth familiarising yourself with your planned route, perhaps by riding it at the weekend before your first commute. You can also vary your route from day to day to keep things interesting.
3. Skimping on a lock
You might be tempted to buy a cheap lock but it's a false economy especially if you turn up at the end of the working day to find that your bike is no longer where you left it.
Don't be afraid to invest - no matter how much you spend, it’ll always be less than the cost of replacing a stolen bike and the hassle of working out how you’re then going to get home.
Look for locks with a Sold Secure Gold rating, such as the Kryptonite Kryptolok Standard U-Lock (£36.99). Some locks can attach to your bike or fit in your rucksack or panniers, but if you don’t want to lug a heavy lock on your commute, consider leaving one at work.
4. Letting your lights run out of charge
Uh oh, it’s 5:30pm in the middle of winter, you get on your bike to ride home and you find that your bike lights are out of juice. It happens!
You could consider investing in dynamo lights, which generate power as you cycle so your lights will never go out. For rechargeable lights, get into a very strict charging routine - keep a charger at work so you can recharge your lights during the day so they're ready for your ride home.
As a backup, carry a couple of emergency lights in your bag; they're small and lightweight so you'll barely notice them. Alternatively, use multiple lights on your bike, making sure they are at different charge levels to reduce the risk of both running out at the same time.
5. Forgetting a change of clothes
Jamie In Bytown
One of the worst things to happen is forgetting a piece of clothing. While forgetting your underwear may happen at least once and might be manageable for a day, forgetting your trousers is a much bigger issue. Our top tip is to keep a set of clothes at the office - either leave a spare set in a bag or bring some in on Monday and take it home on Friday to wash.
The same applies to not having dry kit for the ride home, as there’s nothing worse than putting soggy kit back on. If your cycle clothing gets wet on the way to work, you’ll need to dry it out during the day or have a spare set ready for the journey back. Since there’s no trusting the UK weather forecast, it’s definitely worth keeping some spare kit tucked away at work for when you’re in dire need.
6. Riding without mudguards
You can't always choose the time of day you ride to and from work, so encountering rain and wet roads is sometimes unavoidable. If you’re riding in cycling clothing you might not be too bothered if you get wet, but if you’re riding in clothes you’re going to wear for the rest of the day, it can be quite inconvenient.
Mudguards make a huge difference during your ride. They prevent spray from your tyres from soaking you, your bike, and any items you might be carrying.
7. Hugging the kerb
> Road cycling for beginners: 10 tips to transform your cycling experience
Sitting in the gutter and not riding defensively can increase your risk of accidents and reduce your ability to respond effectively to potentially dangerous situations.
There are many reasons not to hug the kerb. Generally, roads camber off to the curb so it's where everything collects which can increase the risk of punctures. It’s also where slippery drain covers are positioned, it’s where pedestrians step out and it can also make you less visible and tempt motorists to squeeze past when there’s not enough room for them to do it safely.
Riding too close to parked cars can also be dangerous because those car doors sometimes open…
For these reasons, take up the primary position in the centre of your lane when you feel that's the best option. You're fully entitled to do so and it's often the safest choice.
8. Poor clothing choices
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to what you should wear while commuting by bike - ultimately, you should choose what works best for you. However, some clothing options can make your ride more comfortable, especially for longer commutes.
If you wear jeans at work and have ever attempted to ride to work in them, you might have noticed how uncomfortable they can become over a longer distance, which can detract from the enjoyment of your ride.
While Lycra cycling shorts will provide plenty of comfort for longer rides, they might be excessive for your daily commute. Fortunately, there are plenty of cycle-specific jeans, trousers and shorts out there that are designed for both on and off the bike, so there’s no need to change when you get to work.
9. Racing!
Many of us have found ourselves unexpectedly caught in a race with a stranger, chasing an imaginary finish line for reasons we can’t quite explain. While the thrill of competition is tempting, it can risk your safety and leave you hot and sweaty - certainly not ideal if you plan to wear the same clothes for the rest of the day.
If you’re a Strava user, it’s best to avoid getting too caught up in chasing KoM or QoM segments during your daily commute and save the racing and segment hunting for the weekends.
10. Trusting the weather forecast
Weather forecasts can provide a general idea of what to expect, but they’re not always accurate, and conditions - especially in the UK - can change quickly. To avoid being caught off guard, it's a good idea to carry a small, packable waterproof jacket at all times.
Consider investing in cycling-specific clothing designed to handle various weather conditions. Items like windproof and waterproof jackets, waterproof trousers and thermal jerseys can make a big difference. `
With the right gear, you’ll stay dry and comfortable on your commute, no matter what the weather brings.
What are your commuting mishap stories? Let us know in the comments section below.
Emily is our track and road racing specialist, having represented Great Britain at the World and European Track Championships. With a National Title up her sleeve, Emily has just completed her Master’s in Sports Psychology at Loughborough University where she raced for Elite Development Team, Loughborough Lightning.
Emily is our go-to for all things training and when not riding or racing bikes, you can find her online shopping or booking flights…the rest of the office is now considering painting their nails to see if that’s the secret to going fast…
Latest Comments
- Dnnnnnn 2 sec ago
Not sure what other options you have on a disc-braked bike!
- David9694 29 min 2 sec ago
Do you even have railway lines that far north?
- chrisonabike 42 min 22 sec ago
If we can only build enough 2nd homes / buy-to-lets maybe that will ease the rental market, assure future housing for the children of the...
- TheUntypicals 1 hour 15 min ago
If businesses are suffering on Linthorpe Road it is entirely their own fault, most of the destination type shops moved out long before the cycle...
- giff77 1 hour 31 min ago
So where is the entitlement of wanting to get from A to B in relative safety? The city centre is dire regarding cycling infrastructure and while...
- whosatthewheel 1 hour 36 min ago
I live in a mostly flat town and can maintain 22-25mph. Makes no difference to drivers who still overtake frantically even only to slow down to my...
- Simon E 1 hour 38 min ago
It seems that virtually all of their road tyres are now prefixed 'One', which I think is counterproductive....
- chrisonabike 1 hour 44 min ago
Oh - I wondered if I was running the right pressure. Perhaps someone has some thoughts on what that might be for a road bike?
- Pot00000000 4 hours 11 min ago
👍🏼 IMHO, one of the main things to look out for is butted tubes, double or even tripple butted. ride safe and have a great Christmas
- wtjs 5 hours 38 min ago
And we can be sure that Police Scotland would be similarly disinterested...
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91 comments
IMO stay off the towpaths. They aren't there for speedy cycle commuting. If you cycling on a towpth you should be keeping to a moderate pace unless there are absolutely no pedestrians about.
Towpaths (clue in the name) where for barges being towed
"towpath is a road or trail on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beasts of burden, or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge."
Most towpaths are not bridleways (horses were not ridden along them), and there's no right to cycle on them. British Waterways -- which manage many of them -- are very understanding and many of them are permissive access for cyclists, but it should be remembered that they are mainly footpaths not bridleways.
No, they're basically open for all use by walkers, horse riders and cyclists. There's a section of wide tarmac towpath near me that actually forms a driveway to a house so it's not uncommon to see a vehicle being driven (slowly!) down it.
British Waterways doesn't exist anymore (except in Scotland where it trades under the name Scottish Canals) - hasn't done since 2012 so everything you've posted there is quite out of date! It's the Canal & River Trust now and the advice on their website is simply about sharing the space responsibly.
Rack + waterproof panniers.
You can easily fit a laptop, U-lock, tools, change of clothes+shoes and arrive at work without a sweaty back. Add some reflective tape to the panniers - make yourself more visible at night.
I carry a "quick" patch kit with me (and a spare tube and mini pump) and have a "slow" kit at work (another spare tube as well) as well as my lezyne mini floor pump, just in case. Extra spare workshop tools at work too, the ones I have upgraded for home use. You never know. And others may welcome your preparedness and knowledge.
Not a user of lycra me, prefer the baggy mountain biker look, but most of it is cycle specific, have to deal with the sweat, the rain and the filth. Fair bit of hi-viz too. And are there any "normal" helmets that I can attach my lights to as well?
My work jeans and trainers live at work, plus a T shirt, just in case I forget to pack one in the bag. (And spare pants and socks if it rains heavily and unexpectedly, if I predict proper rain I put some in my bag too.) Jumper and coat live at work, my cycle stuff is not really warm in off the bike.
Oh, and leave at least one lock at work too, saves weight on the bike, and you might forget the carry around one.
Most people I encounter on my daily commute (Brussels area, 10 miles each way, hilly) wear lycra. If you have to ride more than a couple of miles and want to go at a decent clipit's really the only game in town. I suspect that in Amsterdam most commuters that you see in the center don't ride a longer distance than 2 or 3 km, the long distance guys will be on the outskirts and I'm pretty sure they won't wear their suits when cycling to the office. But hey, whatever floats your boat.....
The one thing I never carry when commuting is a repair kit, I prefer using a more sturdy set of tyres, mounted tubeless and -touch wood- no flats so far. When disaster strikes I'll either have to hoof it home or to the office or wait for my bike repair guy to show up (have an insurance package that deal with this sort of thing but I think it might mean a long wait in lousy weather). I do keep stuff in the office and at home to deal with most issues.
Really? I wouldn't leave the house without one...
Some of us treat the commute as exercise, not just as transport.
When I go swimming I wear swimming trunks; when I go running I wear running kit; when I play squash i wear squash kit; when I go dancing I wear a tutu.
If I cycle a few hundred metres to the shops I don't bother changing into cycling kit, but any distance that counts as exercise then I wear Lycra.
I don't really give a shit what people do in Amsterdam.
Exactly. I have only a short commute but I ride as fast as conditions permit to get the exercise. I sweat a lot and shower and change when I get to work.
I did start commuting in office clothes but it was horrible. A suit jacket rides up your wrists and bunches under your armpits and across your shoulders. Suit trousers drag on your knees when pedalling. Suit material does not breathe well, so you get more sweaty. Cycle clips are useless, so you get an oily trouser leg. When it rains, the whole experience is even more horrible.
Cycling in a decent suit is a quick way to ruin it. Far better to buy some cheap cycling clothing for commuting (I've got some Dhb stuff). Makes cycling far more pleasant. It dries out during the day if the weather is wet and you can simply bung it in a washing machine at 40 with some sports wash at the weekend. Far cheaper than dry cleaning.
As for looking ridiculous, many people look ridiculous these days and the great thing about getting older is that you don't give a toss what other people think.
11. Leaving the car at home
If you're more than an hour's ride from work, don't let that stop you from commuting by bike. Drive part of the way, and commute the rest by bike. The beauty of this approach is variety - of distance and of route. You can even look at the wind direction and plan your route accordingly.
@CJSH
If you cycle far enough to need a shower and change of clothes when you get to work, then you may as well wear the most suitable clothes for riding a bike - i.e. lycra.
There's no way I'm making my commute less comfortable for the sake of a few bigots.
The problem is not that Lycra is esthetically offensive, but that it puts off others by making cycling look like an extreme and expensive sport for a few select individuals.
But you make no allowance for the type of commuting. Your post(s) seem to relate to 'urban' commuting. I realise that this probably makes up the (large) majority of cycle commute miles, but there are some of us who commute rurally, and more that just a handful of miles. My commute is 23 miles (by the most direct route) and there's no way I'm doing this in any other gear than the best gear for the job. If that puts anyone else off cycling to work, well, I'll have to live with that.
I also think that if someone really wants to cycle to work, then what other people wear wouldn't put them off. Whereas if they are looking for an excuse not to...
The idea that you have to gear up for your commute as if you were tackling the Alpe seems decidedly British. Recommending to wear lycra for a commute does cycling a major disservice. Google "Utrecht Cycling" and look at the videos: the whole town cycles to work, but there's not a single person in Lycra. They just wear their everyday plain clothes. If you want to normalize cycling and bridge the gap between cyclists and non-cyclists, then start by normalizing the gear. No one needs to look like Lance (@Rick_Rude) to cycle to work.
Surely it depends on the distance of your commute. If you've got a ten minute ride, then lycra is going to be overkill, but if you're cycling for an hour or more, then it's going to be a lot more comfortable than cycling in a 3-piece suit.
Search google images for "London cycling commuters" and compare it to "Amsterdam cycling commuters". A quick count of the top 10 images tells me that 80% of London commuters are clad in Lycra*; not a single Amsterdam commuter can be seen wearing Spandex. Surely you cannot explain this by the differences in commute distances, or by London's hors catégorie hills.
*Oh irony: Boris Johnson is one of the few to spoil the stats.
I have doubts about your statistical analysis, but one explanation could be that London is significantly bigger than Amsterdam and thus commuting distances would be greater. Also, living in central London is a lot more expensive than living in the outskirts, so unless you're a banker your commute will be much longer than a typical Amsterdam based commute. From what I can remember of spending a weekend in Amsterdam, you can quite easily walk from one side to another and the city is quite compact.
Also, you need to consider than in the UK, cyclists are nearly always demonised by the media, so it behooves them to show cyclists in different clothing as that makes it easier to identify cyclists as some freakish out-group.
That ratio is not reflected in real life as anyone who has been to London and actually looked at the cyclists could tell you. Here's a random photo I took in London. Not many in lycra.
Lots of dutch cycle for more than ten minutes. That's a short cycle to school for most teens. Some kids are cycling over 10km to school, and then back in the afternoon. All in normal clothes.
I was going to say drop them on UK roads and I guarantee they'd swap to sportier clothes,all clothes are 'normal' imo,but then I realised actually drop them on UK roads and they'd end up not riding a bike at all, and that's the point.
To feel safe on most urban routes commuting in the UK,you have to be able to ride at speeds & sprint to those speeds quickly enough,that are physically demanding enough you'll break into a sweat easily, you may want to spend your whole day at work in sweaty clothes, I prefer to ride in cycling kit and freshen up & change at my destination.
When the UK builds Dutch levels of cycling infrastructure,do let us know.
I'm not sure about that. I do six miles to work then nine miles home (different route). Includes city road cycling, as well as some off-road paths. I wear a plaid shirt and jeans (at the moment - it's not quite warm enough for shorts, IMO). I have never knowingly worn lycra. But, as they say, YMMV
and as for those joggers who wear running shoes to get to and from work. When I was a lad we wore hobnail boots, flat caps and tweed trousers.
Don’t know if you’ve ever been to Utrecht, but it’s pretty small. A 10km cycle ride in each direction would take you from one side of the city to the other so I very much doubt that many school children are doing that every day. The average cycle commute in the Netherlands is just over 4km round trip - you’re comparing apples and oranges.
You wore hobnailed boots? There's posh - we were given boots, a hammer, and a bag of short nails...
It's a chicken / egg situation though because wearing 'sporty' cycle wear is the current normal because the mentality is that cyclists should be maintaining pace with motorised traffic or "they are holding up traffic and shouldnt be on the roads".
To normalise everyday wear for cycling, you need to get a critical mass where people feel unhurried with making their journeys and to get that critical mass you need to have infrastructure that minimises the conflict between different modes of transport as well as makes active transport the more convenient choice.
Surely everyone knows the reasons for this? It's partly that UK cycling conditions demand (at least the capacity for) high speeds, owing to the need to cope with traffic that can be hitting 60mph, and partly it's just selection-effects - that those who are prepared to cycle in those conditions are disproportionately those who like to see it as a sport?
It's a bit unfair to blame it on the personal preferences of the minority who actually cycle. The issue is not that those guys wear lycra, its that those who would be the non-lycra-wearers, aren't cycling at all.
Depends on how long your commute is. Mine is 56km to 72km one way, depending on the route I fancy and I will definetely not cycle that in Jeans and T-shirt. (-; .
I think if my commute was that distance, you'd even get *me* wearing a chamois and shorts
if my commute was that distance I'd get a job closer to home.
(Or I'd take the train.
)
You forgot not having a decent comeback for work colleagues who come up with crap like "who are dressed like, Lance Armstrong?" As if you've never heard it before. Oh how I laugh.
It's always Armstrong though, never Wiggins or Froome. Always Armstrong.
Time to stop wearing that US Postal kit.
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