With the British population being urged to commute by bike, and new infrastructure appearing in London, Liverpool and Brighton, we thought we would run over a few pieces of advice to make commuting by bike a breeze. 


Whether you’re a first timer, or just getting back into the groove after a period of time away from your usual workplace, there has never been a better time to travel by bike. 



 

Do your preparation
If you’re commuting for the first time – or for the first time in a long time – and have your bike ready to go, it pays to do a bit of homework before that first ride. 

 

Check out the route by plotting it on Google Maps or Strava. Both will be able to show you how far the route is in distance, how long it is likely to take and the elevation (hills!)

From the comfort of your sofa you can change the route to avoid busy roads, multiple sets of traffic lights and even hills – just be aware the most direct route might not always be the fastest or most pleasurable. 

If you can, have a trial run before your first ride in. This way you will know where you’re going and if there are any changes you need to make, you can make them ahead of time. 

Check the facilities
Before you head in to work, check to see what facilities there are. Ideally you’ll want somewhere safe to store your bike and perhaps somewhere to get showered/changed. 

Increasingly, companies are seeing the benefit of providing facilities for those who cycle to work, so perhaps contact someone in your workplace that already rides in. They will probably have some tips and tricks specific to your workplace that will make your life a lot easier. 

Plan your load
For short journeys of under 5 miles (or 30 minutes), you’ll probably find you can take it easy and wear your regular clothes. 

However, if you’re going further, or need to carry equipment or clothing, have a think about the best way to do this. 

Maybe you’ll drive in with your bag on a Monday, ride through the middle of the week, then bring it all home on Friday. Or perhaps you’ll use panniers, or a rucksack. 


It’s not just a commute
Once you’ve got used to commuting by bike and start to enjoy the ride, you might want to reassess your route. Maybe the commute has gone from being the bit of the day you dread (sitting in traffic), to your favourite escape – and if you’ve got the time, there’s no reason the brilliant feeling you get when riding your bike can’t last a bit longer. 

So get on Google Maps and Strava and see if you can take a more scenic route. Taking the path less travelled is often where you’ll find the most fun. 


Love your bike back
The humble commuting bike has to endure some tough conditions and as a utilitarian machine, it’s easy to forget that it wants to be loved too!

So every week inflate those tyres and inspect them for cuts, clean and lube the chain and check the brakes. 

Every few months drop the bike in to your local Genesis dealer for a check-over. If you want to learn how to do the basics yourself, ask if your dealer runs classes – many do!

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