Curious About Biking to Work? Here's Exactly How to Get Started

"Many bike commuters use urban or city bikes," saysRich Conroy, a certified cycling coach and education director at自行车纽约。Urban and city bikes are typically hybrid or comfort bikes, although commuters sometimes opt for folding bikes, which you can — what else? — fold up and carry with you.

Here's what to know about each type of bike, according to Conroy:

• Hybrid bikesshare features of road and mountain bikes for a more commute-friendly ride. They generally have wider tires and higher handlebars than road bikes and slimmer, lighter frames than mountain bikes. (Mountain bikes are built for off-road cycling, with thick tires and strong wheels. They are not as fast as other types of bikes.)
• Comfort bikes对地势平坦容易，短的游乐设施被创造。到山地自行车相似，它们有大的，宽大的轮胎，但具有较高的风量，以提供一个顺畅的驾驶乐趣，以及更多的坐垫等特点。
• Folding bikes与可以折叠起来随身带你走进你的办公室，在人口稠密地区的振作的功能较少自行车。
• 电动自行车提供与电动机的额外好处传统的自行车体验时，你可以使用一点帮助了那个超级陡峭的山坡。

You'll need to make sure your bike fits you properly, or you risk an uncomfortable or even painful ride (looking at you, saddle sores). Experts at your local bike shop can help with this a bit better than employees at big box retailers can (and they offer a more personalized experience than reading product descriptions online).

Your commuting bike should also have the following features and equipment, Conroy says:

• Fenders to keep off rain and mud, such as ones fromPlanet Bike(starting at $13, Amazon)
• A rear rack, including those fromTopeak($48, Amazon) orAxiom（$ 41亚马逊）
• （即挂在自行车的侧袋）把你的后架的容器或背篓携带好随身物品，像这样从Ortlieb($155, Amazon)
• Front and rear lights, which are required by most cities and towns, such as these byCygolite($50, Amazon)
• A bell to alert people around you;Mirrycle的Incredibellcomes in a wide range of fun colors (starting at $10, Amazon).

If you keep your bike in a public place, you'll also need a bike lock. While cable locks are popular, they are easily cut, Conroy says. Most experts recommend using a hardened steel U-lock paired with a cable, like this one fromKryptonite($77.95, Amazon).

If your commute is short enough, you might be able to wear your work clothes while biking to the office, especially if your dress code is casual. You can use a backpack to carry your laptop, lunch and other essential belongings.

But for longer rides, or on particularly sweaty days, you may need to commute in clothes other than your office attire and bring a change with you. Conroy, who has a seven-mile commute, keeps his work clothes in waterproof panniers on the rear rack of his bike.

Your regularworkout clothes应该是蛮好的，他补充道。“没有必要骑自行车专用穿运动服装，因为你不是赛车或骑很长的距离。”

If you have a shower available where you work or at a nearby gym that's open, you can bring your toiletries and towel. If not, keep a small toiletry kit at the office or bring one with you. Stock it with deodorant, wipes, hair products, makeup and whatever else you might need to freshen up after your ride.

• Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Ride defensively, remaining alert for pedestrians, runners, other riders and drivers, as well as for intersections and driveways.
• 乘坐至少从停放的车辆4英尺客场避免被门或汽车快速的空间拉出命中。
• Use hand signals for turns and to slow and stop.
  
• Avoid passing vehicles on the right if you are going straight. Instead of letting you by, the driver might turn right and trap or hit you.
  
• Alert slower riders when passing by saying loudly, "On your left."

But there are also commuting-specific tips to keep in mind:

Choose the smartest route and practice using it.The most direct route may not be the safest. Plan your route using the bike lane feature on Google Maps or check with a local bike shop, where print maps may be available, saysEliana Marcus-Tyler, program coordinator of theSan Francisco Bicycle Coalition。Before your first bike commute, do a practice ride on a slower weekend day, she says.

允许额外的时间。Even after you've planned and practiced your route, traffic, the weather, an accident or other hiccups might still make you late for work. Trying to make up time by riding at breakneck speed could lead to injury. Prepare for these possibilities by giving yourself more time than you need for your ride.

Have a back-up plan.It's not as fun to bike in the rain, snow, extreme heat or cold. It can also be dangerous. If you know the weather will be iffy, plan on driving, taking a taxi or ride-share or usingpublic transportationinstead.

访问的网站你当地的公共transportation to learn about the rules for bringing your bike onboard. Each city has different regulations about allowing bikes on various modes of transit, and you want to know what you're facing should unexpected bad weather mess up your return trip.