Bicycling is a healthy, economical, and environmentally friendly way to get to work. According to the 2019 American Community Survey, more than 800,000 people in the U.S. bike to work each day. Learn how you can commute by bike conveniently, safely, and comfortably. Our biking tips and maps are useful for recreational riding too!
You don’t need to fill up a bike at a gas station. You also avoid fares, tolls, and parking fees.
Biking instead of driving lowers the overall production of emissions that harm the environment.
Biking bolsters heart health, boosts endurance, and builds muscle.
You can lower your stress and improve your mood by avoiding traffic jams while exercising outdoors.
To bike all or part of the way to work, you have several options:
Regularly inspect your bike with an ABC Quick Check of the tires, brakes, cranks, and chain. Know how to fix a flat tire and do minor repairs. Carry a pump, repair kit, and spare inner tube.
Helmets significantly reduce the chance of head injury in a fall or collision. Make sure your helmet fits properly, and always replace it after a crash: You may not see damage, but the foam materials will not be able to protect your head and brain from a second impact.
Wear bright, reflective clothing and accessories to make yourself highly visible to others on the road. Install flashing lights on the front and rear of your bike. Use hand signals and be very clear about your intentions when changing lanes or turning corners.
Do not wear headphones or earbuds! You need to hear what’s going on around you to stay safe. Use a bike bell or your LOUD voice to alert pedestrians and other bicyclists that you are coming up behind them. Give them plenty of advance notice before you pass.
Don’t assume drivers will notice you; try to make eye contact when you need to be sure they see you. Expect cars to make rolling stops. Watch for cars pulling out of parking spaces and people exiting cars parked on the street; try to stay farther away from parked vehicles than the width of the doors.
Ventilated clothes help keep you dry and comfortable, especially when it’s hot. When it’s cold, dress in layers so you can remove layers as you warm up. In wet conditions, use rain pants, shoe covers, and fenders or mudguards to stay dry and clean. Be alert for especially slick spots, such as painted lines and leaf-covered pavement.