Commuting Lessons Learned

Don't bother with light weight bikes, tires, tubes, etc. Reliability and robust design are the hallmarks of good commuting bikes. Slime Tubes, thick, wide tires, high-spoke-count wheels with rims that are bombproof are what you want.

Always have a back-up lighting plan. Even if it's an extra 3-LED strap-on helmet light, it could save your ride in to work (or back home).

Great point.  I have a steel '96 bianchi and roll Gator skins on that bad boy at about 85-90 psi.  Save the super-duper for the tri-bike.

For side visibility, these are GREAT:

http://www.bikeglow.com/

And if the backup doesn't work keep cash/credit card on you.  I was running home from work (about 10 miles) one night last spring, thought I'd be OK and make it home in daylight.  Didn't bring any lighting.

Stopped in a CVS on the way home, picked up an $8.00 LED flashlight, worked great for the rest of the run home, which finished in complete darkness.

This one works the other way too.  

Be cordial even to people who are jerks to you.  They're driving a 3,000 lb people crusher.  You're on a steel/aluminum/carbon fiber you mover.  

I know it's hard, but I have been getting better that when people honk even when I'm in the right, I just give them a wave and keep riding.  No yelling, no middle fingers... Those just start stuff.  

better an extra mile or two than a trip down a busy street in rush hour - work your route over and don't be afraid to explore different routes...  you will eventual land on the ideal way to get to work.  the route home may be different....

x2 on all the lighting and safety stuff.

I am dedicated year-round bicycle commuter.  18 miles round-trip. 

I have lots of lights and always keep a spare battery charged for my main headlight.

Over the years I've picked up great winter gear at thrift shops.  A old merino wool layer for the really chilly days is perfect.

The commute is my main bike training.  So some days I push it.  Other days I don't.  The last thing I want is to not look forward to my bike commute.

Here are my commuting lessons learned...

Intersections:  Make sure you know that cars turning see you.  If possible make eye contact with driver.  Early in my commuting days, a driver was looking right at me but through me...didn't see me at all until the last minute.

Intersections:  Don't push the lights...there are too many cars who run the light at the last minute.  Have seen quite a few close calls.

Feet:  Neoprene shoe covers in the winter.

Hands:  Lobster claw gloves in the winter.

Lights:  Red in back, white in front, one on the helmet.

Panniers:  One with clothes to change in, the other with all the other stuff we bring to work.  I have DIY panniers made out of birdseed buckets.  I'm pretty sure I am known as the "bucket lady" on my commute route.

Chat:  It's nice to chat with fellow riders if the opportunity presents itself.

Heat:  There are times when it is too hot, humid, and dangerous to do a full commute.  Be self-aware on this. 

Cell-phone:  Always have charged cell phone to call if you need picked up because it is too hot, it starts to snow just after you've headed home, it starts to thunder/lightning/hail/torrential downpour, you have a flat and can't fix it, etc.

Road Rules:  Follow the rules of the road.  Don't be the jerks who ride up between lanes at a stop light and then cut in front of right turning traffic.

Clothes:  Rolling clothes helps keep wrinkles out.

Wool:  An old merino wool sweater (maybe from a thrift shop) is a great layer for really chilly temps.

The most important:  Have fun and look forward to your bike ride every day.

Hard to find a spot for this so I figured I'd attach it here.  Great set of rules.  Some of them legitimate, some funny.  I presume we all violate at least 4 of them. 

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/