How to Stop Making Excuses for Not Biking to Work

You know that commuting by bike will save you money, help the environment and keep you healthy. But still you hop in the car every morning with a long list of why biking wouldn't work for your situation. We've refuted some of the most popular reasons here-might be time to stop making excuses and start pumping up your tires.

Things You'll Need

  • A bike
  • A helmet
  • A little planning
  • A willing spirit
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Instructions

    • 1

      "There's no shower at my office."
      Look for a gym near your office. You can bike to the gym, shower there, and pedal slowly or walk to the office. If your commute is short enough, you might be able to get by without a full-on shower. Keep baby wipes and towels at your office along with your change of clothes.

    • 2

      "I run errands at lunch."
      Try driving once a week. That can be your errand day, and also the day you bring four days worth of clean work clothes to the office.

    • 3

      "I need to carry a lot of stuff."
      First of all, do you really need to bring your laptop home every night? If the answer is yes, consider adding to your bike a front basket with straps or rear panniers with removable bags. If you carry even more than what fits in baskets, attach a small trailer and tow in your gear.

    • 4

      "It's faster to drive."
      This might be true, but first consider these ideas. Get out a large city map and sketch out a route that doesn't follow the same roads you take driving. Because you are on a bike, you can cut through parks, traverse sidewalks and weave through neighborhoods-all of which can speed your trip. A side benefit of the backroads: your commute is much more relaxing and pleasant than sitting on the same busy roads with all the cars, which might be reason enough to take the longer route to work.

    • 5

      "I live too far from work."
      Try one of these strategies: Drive to work, then bike home. The next morning, bike to work and drive home. Or drive halfway to work, park when the traffic gets congested, then hop on your bike.

    • 6

      "I'll look like a dork walking into the office."
      No need to be the Spandex Superhero strolling into the lobby. Instead opt for a loose-fitting, wicking T-shirt and a pair of baggy shorts with built-in padding underneath. Women can find cycling skirts with similarly built-in padded shorts.

    • 7

      "Biking is not as convenient."
      Of course this will sometimes be true, but try changing your expectations about work and your commute. Biking can be a very enjoyable way to start the day. You may find yourself more relaxed when you get to work. After biking to and from the office, you may have pedaled enough that you don't need to hit the gym-which means you just earned yourself another hour of evening free time. If you must rush home after work, eat lunch at your desk that day so you'll have time to ride home. It's all feasible with a little expectation management.