10 tips I wish I knew when I started bike commuting

[@abelbalbo3620]

You're spot on. It gets easier especially with gear selection and cadence over a route. As for which bike. Just use what you have. I still use a 12 year old hybrid and it still runs nicely with the minimum of maintenance

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Great point! Use whatever you have available.

[@bbb103]

Very good and incisive advice. Whether I'm walking, riding a bike or driving a car I always give myself plenty of time to get where I'm going. It eliminates the stress.

[@BikeCommuterHero]

I agree. Giving yourself enough time is key!

[@rc2257]

Thanks for this extremely helpful video. You saved me money! I was going to buy a new bike for commuting, but this (and one of your other videos) convinced me to instead use my trusty 2009 Trek FX hybrid bike, with some new tires and brake pads and a couple adjustments. Here's another tip to add to your excellent collection in this video: keep a "bike commuter kit" at work if you have a secure place there to store it, like your own office or a locker. This kit should contain an extra work-appropriate outfit, clean underwear, socks, shoes, Wet Ones or similar wipes, a stick of deodorant, and a couple washcloths (or whatever else you might need depending on your specific circumstances.) It's a life-saver on those days when you accidentally ride through a big puddle of dirty water, or arrive at work sweaty or dirty. Warm regards, Ron Kenosha, WI USA

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Hey Ron, thanks for your thoughtful feedback! You're so right! I should have included it in the list as number 11! I actually keep a lot of stuff at work. I wonder how it didn't occur to me to add it to the list.

[@rattlesnake81]

One of the best cycling advice tips videos there is. Very informative!

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Thanks for the comment! Happy pedalling!

[@HorshamHaberstroh]

Thank you - I have come to similar conclusions! It’s been just 1 year and I am still making adjustments … it’s a work in progress!!

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Pedal on!

[@cyclingzen824]

Well said. I spent a lot of money on different bikes trying to find the one that was "perfect" for me. I now ride a single speed because for me it meets all of my personal requirements in a bike.

[@Snaily]

You say the perfect bike doesn't exist, but honestly my bike _is_ the perfect bike for me. More so the frame than anything, but I've never had a bike that fits me so well, and it makes getting where I need to be quickly and comfortably so easy I don't even want a car anymore other than for transporting amps and instruments around.

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Looks like you've found the most optimal bike for your commute!

[@huseyindermis4960]

So useful and encouraging tips. Thanks a lot!

[@sk8fuze]

Honestly the best bike commute video I've watched, even as a slightly seasoned bike commuter myself. Thank you and keep up the good content!

[@Racosz]

Great and useful tips. Love your calm and direct style. Greetings from Bogotá, Colombia.

[@notcreative1980]

My bike is perfect for me. 2015 trek Crossrip. It’s not supernice but I have turned it into the perfect commuter.

[@Daniel-uo5lm]

Peronsally I disagree with the "No need to ride when you are too tired." When I'm tired, I can just take it slow, enjoy the scenery and tank up on Oxygen and Sunlight (especially the UV lights, that don't penetrate the windscreen) to wake up instead of endangering people around me driving around a massive metal box in a tired state, arriving even more tired than I was in the morning. Other than that these are some good advices for fresh commuters!

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Thanks for your insight. I agree with you that some days you wake up tired and the commute energizes you. There's a difference between being tired and your body craving a break. For a new rider with a long or long-ish commute, it makes sense to gradually ease into the new experience and take a break when the body's telling them to.

[@sneekz07]

I disagree with you. If someone is tired and don't feel like biking they shouldn't. Forcing themselves to will take enjoyment from biking and they'll see it as a chore.

[@chadmyles-theclevelandcyclist]

It is interesting how much thought people will put into purchasing a bike and they will fret over this decision. You definitely made some good points in this video. I especially agree there is no such thing as a perfect bike although I can not deny I did come pretty damn close with my first commuter bike but my needs did change as my cycling evolved. I do forget sometimes that not everyone enjoys riding bikes as much as I do so when I decided to purchase a bike for commuting I already knew what I wanted. It was not something I had to agonize over although at the time it had been 25 years since I last rode a bike and bikes have changed a lot since then. I did not know about bike sizes when I started looking at bikes so I had to go to a bike shop to make sure I purchased the correct size. But, other than that I knew what I wanted. The main challenge I faced was finding good products for my bike because so many products have let me down. This probably my biggest pet peeve about the bicycle industry. I feel like the majority of people who ride bikes are commuters but there are so few good products that serve this market. Such as finding quality helmets that actually fit my head shape. Over the past few years companies have been pushing the importance of daytime visibility lights and yet they design lights that don't last me through an entire commute. Or, they stop working in the rain and cold.

[@davidanderson6222]

You nailed it, but now, I’m on a ebike, game changer

[@garethwatkins6347]

Great advice as usual Mr BCH thanks

[@BikeCommuterHero]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@rptempmail1]

hi and thanks for your video and insights. i am also considering starting bike-commuting to work daily. Can you please also make a video describing your bike maintenance routine: how & how-often you clean and maintain your bike's drivetrain & chain etc. thanks again!

[@krob9145]

Enjoy your ride. The journey is just as important as your destination. I agree this is not the time to be racing. Yes starting gradually like, once a week, the twice then 3 times etc is helpful. You can also split your time up. Ride part of the way then switch to train for the rest of the way. Some have even driven partway than rode the rest of the way. Whatever works for you.

[@kindcakeco]

Really, that's a superb video! Beautifully shot, (you live in a wonderful city) and admirably wise content. Bravo.

[@vallartalocal.foodtoursteq4651]

Thanks for sharing your insight brother. I just got my bike - a folding bike-, I'm excited, this truthful opinion will help in keeping expectations close to reality. Keep it up, I love your videos. Regards from Puerto Vallarta, México.

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you like them. ¡Saludos a todos mis amigos mexicanos!

[@notl33t]

I think it's also a lot easier to become a bike commuter if your commuting distances are shorter, so especially in the beginning, think about looking for nice places between you and your destination, like a bench or somtehing for hydrating or toweling your face off and checking in with yourself. Think about those first days more as about getting there eventually as safely as possible.

[@franknobody5965]

Love the classic G-shock, BTW 😀

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Well spotted!

[@amandajane8227]

I have found that my body tells me when I need a break. Out of the blue I will get a saddle sore and then I take a few days off the bike. Over time I have slowed down as I realised I was only racing myself, no-one else knew if I was going fast or slow. Going slower also makes it safer so a win, win.

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Good point! Slowing down is one of my key takeaways too.

[@franknobody5965]

Excellent points!!

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Thank you!

[@greenerick]

Wow great video 📹

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Glad you enjoyed it! There's more to come. Happy pedalling!

[@scruf153]

the best bike for me is a mountain bike I live in Alabama some what hilly and the roads are a mess

[@andrasbiro6604]

I have just found your channel! I also commute in Budapest (awesome background for your shots by the way). Your videos are good quality and I hope the youtube algorithm helps you along your way! Any tips for clothing for rainy days?

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Thanks földi! I made a video about commuting in the rain here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJfJYqqeh9Gdg9U If you ever bump into me at the Rakpart or on the Margaret Island, do stop me to say hi!

[@irgendwer3610]

if you are starting to commute to work by bike, don't try to do it every day, startdoing it once or twice a week than slowly add more days, it will make the stress of all the new things much easier to handle

[@danandkiko]

Good advice! That's such a beautiful city, too! Where is it?

[@alfredomartirez8182]

Nice Video, may i know what handle grips installed on your bike? Thanks Ride Safe

[@herrarbeitslos7464]

I found your helmet pretty cool. It seems fit to my needs. Could you tell me what brand of your helmet? Thank you

[@barryallen1675]

I can relate with all your tips, have been bike commuting for a year now. But I have to ask, why are you wearing earbuds and bone conduction headphones at the same time? 😂

[@BikeCommuterHero]

That is such a great question! I didn't even notice the bone conduction headphone until I got home and started to edit the video... Both of them were only half-charged and I was out running errands the entire day.

[@BikeCommuterHero]

This! ☝️

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

I hate that I have to wear a huge backpack cuz of my laptop to work - I guess once a week to the office isn’t so bad and I should stop complaining!

[@12villages]

My first time the bike skid and I scraped my knee. The scar remains.

[@tomreingold4024]

What beautiful city are you in?

[@BikeCommuterHero]

This is Budapest, Hungary. It's a lovely city to ride in. There are some spectacular views.

[@joelabella750]

My first love was riding a Bicycle and it was never a woman at any age and I'm planning to keep on riding until I cannot any longer and I go 6 feet under.

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Keep the fire burning!

[@smarkasmc]

😉👍🌻

[@edwardmccall8219]

Why don't cyclists use whistles instead of bells.

[@BikeCommuterHero]

Practicality??

[@liviairene572]

𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖔𝖘𝖒 😚