The ultimate beginner's guide to bike commuting

Bike commuting can make your life better in so many ways, but it can be difficult to get started, especially if you live in a city that doesn't make it easy by providing safe, separated bike infrastructure. So, after many years of bike commuting, here is my advice to help you get started.
0:00 Introduction
0:32 Part 1: Choosing the right bike
0:55 Reliability over speed
1:16 Seeking efficiency
1:38 Ditching the front derailleur
2:33 Prioritizing comfort
2:51 My bike
4:01 E-bikes are great options
4:32 Part 2: How to ride a bike for commuting
4:48 How to pedal
5:44 How to shift gears
8:03 Finding safe routes
9:16 Dealing with sweat
10:03 Taking the lane
11:09 Making a left turn
11:39 Part 3: Carrying your stuff
11:50 Panniers are best
12:43 Packing your bag
16:46 Part 4: The right attitude
17:12 Learning as you go
17:41 Persevere, but don't be a masochist
18:22 Find a community
19:25 Finding the joy
#cycling #bike #commuting
A huge thanks to my sponsors this year. They support this channel, so please support them. They also make amazing products that I use every day and endorse without hesitation.
Priority Bikes: I happily rode the Priority Continuum Onyx through many Canadian winters before they signed on as a sponsor: bit.ly/3tzXTee
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• If you ride a bike in the city, you need a good lock. Litelok is a good option: us.litelok.com/SHIFTER
• If you wear a helmet and like to be well-lit, consider the Lumos: ridelumos.com/shifter
• Hindsight sunglasses have mirrors so you can see behind you while you ride. Plus, they look good: collabs.shop/f9hvof
• Love these RedShift Acrlight Smart LED Pedals: redshiftsports.com/collection...
• Crane Bicycle Bell (the ding is sublime): amzn.to/48gsHQ2
• Bicycle Cargo Net (why did it take so long for me to buy one of these?): amzn.to/31s1Ovu
• Vaude Cover II Rain Poncho (for higher-end, try Cleverhood or People’s Poncho): amzn.to/3jLkift
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[@jekker1000]

Dealing with sweat: I found that wearing a backpack results in a soaked back. No matter how cold outside and how slow you pedal, a wet back is almost always guaranteed with a backpack. Therefore get panniers.

[@skylark6167]

Or strap the backpack to your bike. I've got a wire A4 paper tray cable tied to the top of my rear rack, which is the perfect size to strap a backpack to.

[@gingermany6223]

second this. I toss my backpack in a big frame mounted front rack.

[@jeanschyso]

That's true even when walking. We all learn that early when walking to school and I don't know how people forget that in adulthood

[@ghjgjihjgjyrdrgydsgr137]

@@skylark6167 Hey, nice cheapo trick! I'm thinking about stealing this idea!

[@karl_margs]

@@skylark6167repurposed USPS sorting box on the front for me, but I absolutely will not put anything on my back while riding these days.

[@kraigkilborne2256]

As someone who works at a bike shop, 75% of our business comes from flat tires. We’re more than happy to fix those for you

[@LordVarkson]

Wow! How much do you charge for a flat?

[@kraigkilborne2256]

@@LordVarkson $10 for a new tube. So many people don’t know how to fix a flat

[@mahnamahna3252]

It's kinda like changing the oil for your vehicle. You may know how, but do you want to? Do you have the space or the tools? Do you have a hub motor? Time and materials.

[@TheStoic84]

@@mahnamahna3252 It's a lot simpler to change a tire than an oil change, though, as you don't have to find something to lift up an entire car. A bike just requires a Hex wrench tool($10)(unless you have QR's, then no tool at all), 2 plastic tire levers at the most($5), and a tire pump that anyone that rides a bike should already own. If you're watching this video, you have the internet to look up how to change a tire. Shouldn't take even a beginner more than 15 minutes to change a flat tube. No shame in not wanting to do it, but this was a 20 minute video about biking. Anyone that had the time to watch this video, has the time to watch a video on how to change a flat tire(and that video will be a lot shorter).

[@mahnamahna3252]

@TheStoic84 you really didn't read my comment did you?

[@test40323]

Thanks for advocating bicycle commuting. To those still hesitant: do it for your health, your pocketbook or the planet...find your reason and just do it!

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Amazing, thank you so much for the show of support. It really means a lot!!

[@Aus10c]

I never ride my bike and think “man i didn’t have fun”. But i will think “man i wish i rode today”

[@jacksonbangs6603]

Because my job involves picking up garbage and cleaning public bathrooms in city parks I don't need a second set of clothes and shoes when I get to work.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Enjoy it! And thanks for keeping our public spaces usable and attractive.

[@Certago]

Thank you for your service! It is much appreciated by a lot of people, we just usually take it for granted, sorry about that.

[@drippiehippie]

I'm a automotive mechanic and I'm in the same boat. I have extra clothes and shoes at work for when it's wet, but I don't have to worry about looking clean and presentable

[@SL420-]

Thanks for what you do bro. Respect.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Biggest tip I can give for someone commuting on bike is... YOU ARE NOT A CAR. Take the scenic route, take the cut through, take the run through a public park. Get google maps open and look for more direct routes than the main roads you're used to driving on. Honestly do not just stick to the roads you usually take, ride through the housing estate, take the bridleway, etc. Apps like komoot or strava can help you find bike routes in your area, case in point I've cycle commuted for 20 years+ and only last year I found I could chop out a 4 lane 40mph roundabout that always feels sketchy about half a mile from my home, because there was a shared use path that went under the road, but because I'd never walked the path in that area, I never knew it was there until finding komoot kept routing me via it, and I still didn't believe it until one day I decided to double check it (thought it was a mistake on routing).

[@kailahmann1823]

Exactly. If you follow the route, you've taken with your car, then you very likely not only have a lot of unnecessary noise and danger, but also waste time, because there might be a shorter route.

[@GordoGambler]

A few months ago a girl made that mistake in Palo Alto. On a rain covered busy road in the dark, she stopped in the middle for a left turn. It did have a turn bay at a lighted intersection, but somehow a car zoomed from behind and hit or knocked her sideways into oncoming cars. The first 2 ran over her and kept going. The 1st car is responsible 100%, but the gist is she risked and paid with her life to save a FEW SECONDS. The number of times I ever did that is ZERO.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

@GordoGambler I think you read exactly 16 words of my original comment, then inferred I was talking about vehicular cycling.

[@PierceRandall-hf7vf]

@@GordoGambler She was in a turn lane and the intersection has markings for bicycles. You're blaming the victim. Yeah, people get murdered sometimes, too. It's not their fault or a reason not to walk outside. (Also, a 28 year old woman is not a "girl.")

[@GordoGambler]

@@PierceRandall-hf7vf It can depend if there's a curb for protection in the center. In this spot there was NOT, so it's just plain SUICIDE in the dark. When the light turns yellow, then you have to deal with cars from ALL directions. In that case you are 1000% safer from the right corner and lose ZERO seconds. FACT. Those bike boxes are plain STUPID.

[@nw1317]

If you use a basket, I highly recommend getting a stretch net to go over the top so you don't lose anything on the way

[@buddy1155]

As a person of the Netherlands, I agree on buying a good bike with fenders and internal gears. The rest is just overthinking it, just hop on the thing and go where you have to go.

[@wheelsmsl]

Hi Tom. Just one add to "the bike" list I have for the community is lights when you ride - even in daylight. As a bike comuter for many years my lights have kept me visable to other traffic. I have super bright rechargable LED red flashers on the back and a brite LED white flasher on the front. Many times I have had drivers at intersections say "man those lights are brite" - yep they see me! Highly recomend them.

[@michaelkernan5165]

Sometimes I find myself down a rabbit hole of urbanist videos. I can watch them for hours. But when I come across a shifter video I usually get the urge to just go ride my bike. Which comes to my tip. If you are looking for something to do, even if you don't have a place to go, just ride your bike. Because the more you ride, the more comfortable you will become. And it's fun!

[@longdarkrideatnight]

Leave a set of cloths at work, as an emergency backup. If you forget or get soaked use them. The cloths you bring you use. If you have to use the emergency cloths remember to bring replacements the next day.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Great suggestion.

[@BlacqueJacqueShellacque_]

Agree on the e-bike. You can always ride on low power mode if you want exercise, but the e-bike gives you the option to bail out if you get tired, or are unmotivated to ride one day, or want an easy ride on the way home if you've had a rough day. Yes it costs more, but if it lets you ride vs. drive it will save you money in the long run.

[@SGuy889]

Ebikes are heavy though eh ?

[@Thezuule1]

My road bike is $5,000 and that’s the on the cheaper end. E-bikes definitely don’t cost more unless you’re comparing them to department store stuff.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

I've heard a lot of ebike riders say this, and I love it. Especially the part of about saving you money in the long run.

[@michelbaron1721]

I use my ebike with a lot a assist on the morning so I am not sweaty at work and drop the assit to a minimum to exercises on the way home.

[@drill_fiend1097]

​@@SGuy889depends. There are some nice eBikes out there with weight no more than MTBs. But the large chunk of eBikes are meant for carrying cargo, which increases weight regardless.

[@texabara]

I use the milk basket. There are no bikelanes in Puerto Rico. I try to go on less use streets to avoid cars. As I live in the tropics, I use very confortable cloth and change at the office. My commute is 6km, so I do not need to shower when I reach my destiny. I use a hybrid Discover Shwinn. Some times I use a Specialized. Never forget the tools. 😂

[@Summer_21446]

I just bought my first Ebike a month ago. I work from home, but live out in the country. The grocery store is 12 miles away one way. I’m slowly routing out my path & mainly taking gravel roads. Your channel has helped give me the courage to just get out there and do it. I have the Lectric XPedition cargo bike so my goal is to sell my vehicle eventually.

[@mattc3370]

Check Locus as a routing application. Very handy.

[@drippiehippie]

I got an Xpedition as well on Black Friday! I've been car free for two years and was fine with a standard bike, but I found myself unmotivated to go out with friends or would put off running errands after work. The ebike makes any trip easy and convenient and is a true car replacement

[@Summer_21446]

@@drippiehippie Isn’t it the beast of all cargo bikes?

[@Summer_21446]

@@mattc3370 Thank you!

[@scottjantzen7]

Thanks Tom. I've been watching your videos for about a year and have found them instructional and inspiring. I've been commuting by bike since I started watching your videos and have found ways to overcome obstacles. I've found that I can't avoid getting a bit sweaty on my ride, due to the hills along my route. I bought one of those flat universal sink stoppers from the dollar store and use it to fill up the sink in the washroom at work so I can wash up. I also found that by using a two-sided packing cube I can keep my extra clothes from getting wrinkled and put my sweaty clothes in the "waterproof" side. I use a washcloth instead of baby wipes, which I put in a zip loc bag after use so it doesn't get the rest of my stuff soggy. I have found biking to be a great addition to my overall quality of life.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

This is great, practical advice. Thanks so much for sharing, and for watching!

[@claudioclaudio8383]

I live in Switzerland and I grew up with a bicycle. I was used to commute by bicycle and train/tram/bus, than I moved to an other part of. Switzerland, there it’s not so flat and there are almost no bike lanes. So I startet to use the car for commute, after a few years I realised that I missed going by bike to work. I missed the fresh air, the slowness and also getting wet by the rain. I am 54 years old an heavy, so a few years ago I bought an e-bike, this was the best I could do. Now I enjoy all I missed again.

[@amyself6678]

Let's be honest no place with freezing temps often can use bikes to commute. Here in Minnesota the few people that bike end up with scars on legs from falls. And we get wind burn on cheeks and nose from the negative temps. Even in capital of biking in Finland of Joennsu only 20% bike to work and this falls to 10% in winter. When I see bike vids from Canada its rarely from the cold half of year. It's weird to skip over deep cold making biking unlikely, it's like not mentioning the heat in Florida. The Netherlands is as warm as Washington DC in US, so it rarely has freezing temps and ice is the huge problem of biking. Ice means falls.

[@definitelynotacrab7651]

Ive found the ebike motivates me for commuting as i know that if i get super windy days i can click it on and take the burden off. Love these tips and all that you do to advocate for bikes!

[@anchorageccl7081]

I use my front shifter as much as the back. And I just realized that if my rear deraileur goes out, that front one will make all the difference for a ride. So reliability enhancing. Love your stuff, Shifter!

[@rocknrollzebra]

I think 3x is still the best choice for hilly places. I need lots of range for lots of reasons (terrain, carrying stuff, fluctuating energy levels) and 3x is by far the cheapest way to get it. I understand the push for 1x but I've never had significant problems with a front derailleur, and most people I know understand how to use 3x gears having grown up riding cheap mountain bikes. The fact that 9+ speed components are typically more expensive and less durable is also a downside (I realise there are 1x8 speed bikes out there though!) Having said all that, if you live in a reasonably flat city, I imagine 1x (or single speed) is a blast!

[@timfinnegan3514]

Yeah, front derailleur has several advantages: 1. From my experience, it isn't that problematic, even cheap stuff probably will be acceptable. 2. You can quickly, significantly reduce your gear by switching to smaller front cog. 3. Whatever 3x drivetrain you have - you probably have nice range of gears to begin with... and for example, if you decide you really don't need very slow gears, but would like more faster gears - there is a lot of different (and not very expensive) front and back cranksets; yes, I'm aware, that there are different cranksets for 1x drivetrains, but as far as I have seen, modyfing 3x will be cheaper and easier. 4. At least where I live - bikes with 3x drivetrain (especially second hand) are cheaper, than similiar quality 1x bikes (with back derailleur and hub gears, both kinds). So, I would say, that front derailleur is some sort of complication - but it is often worth it 🙂

[@tomcatt998]

Same here,, could never figure Y people take a perfectly good 3x7 & turn it into a single speed

[@timfinnegan3514]

@@tomcatt998 If that 3x7 was badly worn out... and that bike was meant to be used only for short routes through city... it would have some sens. Otherwise I also don't get it. Doing it for fun would be a good reason too 🙂 To be honest, I'm thinking about buying and repairning (or rather patching) some sort of cheap beater, single speed not excluded. But it would be (mostly) for fun, not commuting 🙂

[@LordVarkson]

@@rocknrollzebra I live in a hilly area, at the top of the tallest hill and run a 2x8 setup, lowest gear being 34-34 and I find that's suitable for pretty much any hill I can find. 3x feels more like a vintage mtb or trekking thing back, when rear derailleurs didn't have the range that we have today. I see a lot of hybrids these days with big dinner plate cassettes, like 42 on the rear.

[@shuttle461]

"... And if more people do it the better the world would be...". Magic words. Extraordinaire! I do bike commuting instead of biking as sport. I follow your videos every now and then. I found them quite useful and it is true! There is always some learning out of practice on the go than just watching videos. One thing I would advise to bike commuters in general is don't underestimate wearing reflective items or clothing while riding in low visibility conditions, that should be a must. Thanks for your videos Tom.

[@gingermany6223]

My commuting set up: long tail e-bike, 7speed rear gears only, huge front rack that folds flat for bigger items, 2 kids seats on the back. I used it this morning to commute one town over for a HS track meet (we have a county trails network). While all the other parents were stuck in morning traffic then stuck looking for parking then walking from off site parking to the stadium, I just rolled right up into the stadium and parked my bike.

[@j0de0Brabander]

About pedaling in a circle. That's right, Dutch tip: when pushing down the one leg, try to lift the other in the same motion. The weight of a leg is relatively high but more important: once you get the hang of it, you prepare that leg optimal for the coming push down. Get used to it and it really works. Another: if your going down in a tunnel; don't put any effort in pedaling... when you're going up again; maintain the gained speed with just enough effort to do so. You'll find that with a minimum of effort you'll 'climb' the uphill part nearly all the way, minus your own weight [and friction = keep your tires pressurized], It's just physics,

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Dealing with the weather. Don't beat it, embrace it. I've ridden in cycle ponchos, I've used rainlegs, I've tried full waterproof kit. They're all a nightmare and I'd say save your money as they're pointless. Ultimately, you cycling will keep you warm through most things but dress for warmth, not for wet. You will get soaked, this is fine. Accept it. Deal with it at your destination with a change of clothes. Don't worry about the fact you're gonna be soaked through, your skin is waterproof. Just make sure you have sufficient layers for warmth oh and a peaked hat, that's super useful for keeping driving rain mostly out of your eyes. I love craghopper gear as its comfortable and dries crazy fast once I'm at the place I'm at, so that's what I go with.

[@tomcatt998]

My commute is at dark, so if it's raining i strip nekkid & put my dry clothes in me water proof bag & put on me crocs & go,, get a few horn honks occasionally but most people R so distracted by other things that they don't even notice,, & that includes the popo 🤭

[@TheKnaeckebrot]

done that a few times, luckily I work at the hospital so fresh scrubs and a shower if needed. My problem is just what to do with the soaking wet shoes & clothes, cant dry them out in my locker and carrying a wet bag of clothes back home is suboptimal too...

[@JuniorBloxHD]

@@tomcatt998 chad

[@ghjgjihjgjyrdrgydsgr137]

Love your tip about avoiding left turns! I.e. turns across the oncoming lane of traffic. I never used your advice, even when new to bike commuting, but I wish I had heard this before I started. It's great advice: if you don't feel you're comfortable doing it, just don't do it.

[@cmmartti]

The problem with this advice is that it can take significantly longer, especially if traffic-aware signals don't detect bicycles. Sometimes I ride the wrong way on the sidewalk to avoid making a left turn, but I will jump to the front of the car quque if I have to.

[@klapiroska4714]

Yeah, though this backfires quite a bit if the places where you'd want to make a left turn do have traffic lights, perhaps with long light cycles. One poorly designed "Copenhagen left" might increase the travel time by 1-3 minutes, and it really starts to suck if you have to make a few of these. Still I can't argue this wasn't a safe practice (though cities can make even these quite difficult and confusing).

[@katebeemakes]

Yes! This was my biggest issue when trying out bike commuting. Trying to go from a bike lane on the far right to the far left lane for a turn, when cars wouldn't let me into a lane was tough. Much prefer the idea of crossing at the crosswalk!

[@charlotteice5704]

If you're buying a bike for commuting, there are two important considerations that I believe weren't mentioned in the video: 1) tyre capabilities. You want to use tires that are good for road use but have some profile to them, like what he has in the video, so they should not be road cycling tyres. You also don't want mtb tyres because although very secure and confidence-inspiring, they're inefficient. So go for something with a medium profile. The wider, the smoother it can get (wider tyres allow for lower pressures), but the tradeoff is efficiency. If the bike you're eyeing doesn't come with commuting-suited tyres, make sure it can accomodate them, so any bike that goes too far to the narrow (road bike) or wide (mtb) extreme is probably not suited (mtb tyres are mighty fine for commuting if you're ok with the efficiency loss, though). 2) accessory mounting options. Bikes can feature mounting holes for water bottle cages, rear racks, kick stands and sometimes even front racks, but the key word here is can, so if you want to use panniers (you probably will), make sure the bike you're planning on getting has those mounting holes.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Two great points. Thank you for sharing.

[@cmmartti]

The only critical mounting holes are those on the rear dropouts. For a rear rack, the upper mounting bracket can be fastened to the seat stays with p-clips or doubled-up zip ties.

[@yarnbomber2166]

Check your local transit system! Many let you bring your bike with you; it opens up so many options. Ride with the joy!

[@user-oc6rl5hw9o]

When I first started commuting by bike, I could not ride the whole way. Mixed mode commuting via public transportation with my bike allowed me to build up skills and strength over time. The big success was being able to cycle one way all the way, but needed more time to recover... so left the bike at the office, alternating riding to work or home, taking transit in between. After a few months, I had the ability to make the commute by bicycle both ways in the same day, using bus and light rail only as a backup. ❤

[@tomtrask_YT]

And give some consideration to storage options when using public transportation. Where I live, the intercity train has lockers for pennies per hour so you don't have to sort out how to get a bike onto/off of the train (or store it in the office).

[@blores95]

Funny to watch this a little over a year into starting to bike commuting and this being one of the first resources I found. I've always liked your focus on simplicity and consistency for bike commuting. I started on my old bike from high school and slowly made it commuter-worthy and after a year got an e-cargo bike to deal with the summer heat and take my kid places. I try to encourage others to bike commute but being in the Los Angeles area it's kind of hard to do that without having a lot of caveats for safety, but at least my kid enjoys it more than sitting in the back seat of a car.

[@RachelSmith-rq5ku]

Oh my gosh, I just love your channel, Tom. I feel successful as a bike commuter because of your practical advice and passion for urban cycling. I have even done a little advocacy! I got new bike racks put in at a local grocery store! So exciting!

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Heya. I really appreciate other riders who advocate! Thanks for sharing the load!

[@thoyt3]

Started watching shifter about a year ago. Started bike commuting in August. I can’t go back to driving. Glad to hear that the Copenhagen left is a viable option because I still defer to that strategy on most of my commutes. Thanks for the great content and inspiration!

[@AnonUser7887]

My commute is my daily exercise. I ride fast and sweat heavily. For me it’s therefore a road bike with drop bars and Lycra. This isn’t to create some sort of expectation that everyone needs to do this, but it works for me and I enjoy going fast. I only need a backpack once a week to carry in fresh clothes and take home clothes for cleaning. The takeaway from my perspective is to ride in a manner that you enjoy. Whatever gets you on your bike; everyone’s experiences and objectives differ.

[@sam28509]

I used to ride a bike when I was young. When I got my license, I quickly transitioned to drive my car and forget about my bike. Then, I stumbled upon some financial problem and need to save up my income and most of it due to refuel gas $10 every week. I remembered I have my bike. So, I decided to commute with it whenever possible. Now, I can see my bank balance save up more. Lesson of my story, bicycle is hands down one of the most important mode of transportation that won't break the bank.

[@russellzauner]

Buy low maintenance not high performance. Consider a recumbent if you're driving on paved roads for long stretches - they're quite comfortable. There is no shame in pedal assist; it will always be legal if you don't have a throttle installed and your tiny battery lasts for far longer than you want to ride lol Congrats on getting Priority as a sponsor - they're still setting the standard for commuter bikes and they're a great value for the upgrades you get (that I would be putting on other bikes anyhow); upgrading to belt is a bare minimum of $400 and fewer speed IGH are inexpensive (some under 100 USD) but I am building a wheel with an Enviolo 380 CVT so those are ~300 and products like Rohloff's can run you 1500-1800 USD or even more with Pinion. I like how the CVT is going to work with my upgraded mid drive recumbent once I get the automatic torque control set up (it keeps your torque constant while you manage speed up/down) and the mid drive is intelligent enough to give me the 80-100% dynamic left pedal assist I need (did not install throttle, one wire and it was working fine). Recumbents also have many different seat types and materials, some are simply mesh like a lawn chair and freely breathe so sweating hasn't been an issue unless I'm off roading or at the skate/bmx park and even then all the sweat is in my helmet lol.

[@r_forrest_baker]

I have been bike commuting for over a decade. The best thing for my commute was getting an ebike this year. So amazing!

[@krob9145]

If you want to start commuting and you don't have a bike as yet think about where you're going. If you're in a city and worry about bike parking and aren't to confident dealing with the odd flat wheel then a folding bike may be for you. They can be adjusted for upright riding and most are low step. They can be taken indoors. If you should get a flat tire, fold it and take it in a taxi, bus or train. It can be sorted out later. Having good tires reduces the chances of flat tires. Those fat tires bikes look appealing to some but they are heaviest and won't be easy lifting. There's folding e-bikes as well.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

I can always count on the folding bike riders to drop all kinds of practical sense into these conversations. And I appreciate it.

[@rayphot]

I bought a Gocycle G4 through my company's "cycle to work" scheme and I love it. On a recent journey home from work I stopped off in a supermarket and couldn't be bothered to lock the bike up outside. So I just folded it up and popped it into the shopping trolley. I got some funny looks wheeling it around the store but who cares...bike, pannier, helmet, gloves, goggles, all went in the trolley alongside the groceries I bought 😀

[@krob9145]

@@rayphot We've done that as well. There weren't any bike stands at one supermarket entrance so a trolley the bike went. There was another entrance a 5 minutes ride away, down several residential streets that had parking and maybe bike parking but we weren't familiar with the area to find it. Plus that would mean leaving the close cycle lanes and using a few risky junctions.The entrance we used was by the main shopping area near the train station by the cycle lane.

[@alexgarbe1971]

This is a perfect video for beginners. Wish I'd had it when I started riding. Should be essential viewing for anyone who is even remotely considering it.

[@frankcl1]

Hi Tom, I've tried bike commuting last year thanks to your videos and I really enjoyed it, I almost don't use my car anymore. Thank you for everything you've been doing.

[@stevevanness4195]

Suburban commuting is very different, I think. I've never had a commute less than 11 miles & 1500 feet of climbing each way! Gears are proportional to your climb in my opinion. After buying a 21 speed road bike years ago, I had a lady I work with ask me which gear I use ridding to work? I replied, "All of them!" In 30 years, I've never had a mechanical while commuting. Though because of the distances I ride just once a week for the most part. Also, I find a keeping your backpack on the front of your bike works way better than paniers. Paniers tend to get caught in doorways, and yes, every place I've ever worked allowed me to keep my bike inside. I found hanging a small backpack upside-down on aero bars is best for me & is surprisingly stable, but a rack, or basket with a Bunji would do fine. Also, eBikes are a fantastic way to augment the fun.

[@jeffersonchua5396]

Hey Tom, just wanted you to know that because of your videos (and skyrocketting costs here in Manila) I decided to bike commute a couple of months ago and it really changed my life. Another tip I have and this might probably be relevant to friends in tropical areas like myself: hydrate when you can. Temps are reaching 35C in the morning and the exhaust from all the cars make it a lot worse. When I pass by a not so busy street where I don’t have to be extra vigilant because of traffic, I stop to drink a bit of water. Beats having to chug down lots of it at the end of the ride and makes you feel less crummy during the commute itself.

[@zolazk]

I bought a bicycle yesterday and have been binge watching your videos. Great stuff! My bike will arrive at the bikeshop in a couple of days and I can't wait to take it for a ride! I will also try to commute to work. I'm super excited! Thank you for your videos!

[@kookamunga2458]

I bicycled to work for a short time and sometimes while it was hot . I took a face cloth to work and wiped myself down in the washroom where I could lock the door . Wet the face cloth down add drop of soap and wipe down armpits feet and groin area only . Rinse face cloth wipe again paper towel to dry all in less than ten minutes.

[@Serisar]

Hey Tom, I'm a seasoned commuter and i would disagree with your point on doing your own repairs - to some extend. You're totally right that one doesn't have to be able to fix everything on their bike themselves. Changing bearings, trueing a wheel, routing/changing cables are all things that need to done so seldomly, that you can leave that to a professional. Repairing a flat tire, adjusting the handlebars/saddle, swapping the pedals and properly tightening most bolts are skills that every bike commuter should aim to have. Depending on how far you are going this will give you substantial peace of mind that in the case of mechanical problems, you will most likely be able to fix them right then and there. I know some people who were afraid of going on longer commutes (>5 km) and recreational rides because they didn't feel comfortable with the risk of being stranded and face having to walk back home. You don't need to learn these skills on day one, but it should be something you aim for down the road. I would also prefer an extra inner tube over a patch kit (TPU tubes are so small nowadays) for most cases. There is an argument for belt drive bikes though, because you don't neccessarily have to remove your back wheel when patching.

[@Barbara-lu7ch]

I have found that bike mechanics are like auto mechanics. Very few are honest. The reason I bike commute is because I got sick of paying a mechanic to fix my car and then having to fix it myself. I'm not going to write a novel here on all of the stuff I've dealt with, but when a mechanic at the dealership I bought my car from said he needed to FLUSH my manual transmission I was done. Same crap with bike mechanics. A Brompton dealer said I needed to replace a cable because the end cap came off. $100.

[@jrocco36]

I've been bike commuting for most of my adult life. I agree with everything you say. One thing though is to make sure your bike is set up properly for you, seat is at the best height, bars are at the right height, angle and not too wide or narrow. Also keep your tires inflated to their proper pressure. And above all, enjoy the ride. When I pass folks either on my way to work or home, I smile and say "Hello" That's something I enjoy.

[@ardynottle]

+1 👍👍

[@tomcatt998]

Nowadays few people say hello. 😔 sad how people have become

[@jrocco36]

@@tomcatt998 It starts with each one of us.

[@lthmosch]

Please don’t give up! I am very greatful that there are people like you out there that find the strength to keep fighting for a better future with the free choice of transportation. I feel that I would be annoyed by all the hate and stupid excuses why things can’t be changed. Good that we have people like you. Big thank you 🙏

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Thank you for the support and the words of encouragement.

[@Eowyn77]

Unless you live in a desert, always have a rain jacket with you. And in Winter, always have a spare set of gloves in your bag. Nothing is worse than cycling in freezing temperatures with wet gloves.

[@HeatherH1]

I have an e-bike and it makes it easy to go farther and up big hills. Mine has four levels of assistance so it can be a workout or not - choose your adventure ;)

[@6JackOfClubs9]

From personal experience, I'd say bring a spare innertube. You don't want to be stood at the side of a road in the dark, cold, and wet, repairing a puncture. Whip the old innertube out and get the new one in quickly. You can always repair the old one at home.

[@harvey66616]

I agree with this, but with a caveat: many bikes don't have quick-release hubs on the rear, especially electric bikes. And whether they do or not, belt-drive bikes can be very finicky to get the rear wheel realigned after removal. In those cases, it can be easier/more efficient to just fix the tube while the wheel is still on the bike. But, yeah...if it's easy enough to get the wheel off and back on again, just having a spare tube is the way to go. Cheap insurance. You also make another good point, but which is really independent of the tube question. That is, don't fix a flat on the side of the road. You can nearly always just get off the bike and push/carry it to some spot that is away from motor vehicle traffic, assuming you were stuck riding with motor vehicle traffic in the first place. So however you're going to address the flat, take the few extra seconds and make sure you're in a safe place to do the work.

[@russianbear0027]

I would also suggest self sealing tubes. They're a little pricier but they've saved me from being stuck with a flat tire multiple times

[@snekposts]

I started biking a little over a year ago, and it's remarkable how much more comfortable I feel on a bike now. Your videos have been a great resource for me as I have learned - thank you!

[@Jackie-oc7vj]

Hey Tom! This is probably one of your best videos by far and I've been watching for a long time. My one tip for new bike commuters is to start small - go for that 3 block ride with your kid, pick up that library book with your bike and ride to the nearest grocery store! Doing short rides helps to build strength and stamina and if you eventually make it to the office, make sure you do a practice run first so you feel confident and safe on your way there with no time pressures. A future video idea for you would be to do a version of this for women/families cycling. Women wearing dresses and heels have different challenges and in my area, I see a lot of young familes with their kids on bikes so it's really a great way to get around.

[@chanybing40]

Perfect timing,I literally bought a bike yesterday!

[@yellowchristian3858]

Hi Tom, I’ve watched several ‘commuter cycling’ videos over the years even though I was a pretty experienced commuter cyclist myself. (Now retired). This video is the best I’ve seen, period. You cover all the aspects of being a novice cycle commuter which we all were at one time. The tips you give I learnt myself over time. Keeping clothes at work, finding the best i.e. safest quietest route(s), using a pannier and eventually investing in an e-bike as those hills seemed to get longer and steeper! As for the weather (in the UK) - my mantra has always been "If you don't know wet, you can't know dry!" I was lucky in that my employer could eventually provided shower facilities, but I found a quick dab down and body spray invaluable before then! I’ve moved house recently and my e-bike is currently in storage - I can’t wait for the time that I can get out on my bike again and explore the neighbourhood which will hopefully be in the next few weeks. As a subscriber I would like to thank you for all your videos. All the best

[@PierceRandall-hf7vf]

I dress in business casual (blazer, slacks, tie, dress shoes). I also live in upstate NY. I have a very short commute, but what works for me is: wear cotton, fold your blazer and put it in the pannier in the summer, wear an overcoat (goes over blazer) in the winter. I used to go to the gym before work, so I'd get sweaty anyway. I used wet wipes and had a spare dress shirt in the office that I swapped out everyday. If you just spray the shirt you pack down with a spritz bottle and hang it up, it'll be wrinkle-free by the next day. Packing a towel and trying to shower at the gym was too time-consuming for me. Single speed is the way to go for me. If there's a hill, just stand up and pedal!

[@Maxime_K-G]

Just FYI, you don't need to buy a whole special backpack to fix to your bike. You can achieve the same goal by using some bungee cords with hooks on the rear rack. Just make sure it's all secure and there's nothing sticking in the wheel.

[@jayziac]

Completely agree with the front derailuers, they get out of adjustment easily and it's much cleaner to just remove the bit of weight, I'm mostly in the middle or low front gears anyway, and if I ever need to race & go super fast, manually move the chain to the higher gear for that session. Downhills, I just coast, no need to pedal, that would reach speeds I'm not comfortable anyway, and usually the downhills are short enough to not be bothered. Up hills take longer and so the small/easy gears in the front fits better. Another safety feature is to wear something bright AND reflective on a your ankles or knee area, the moving motion catches others eyes better than just a static reflective jacket/vest.

[@88sstraight]

Good advice, well presented - thanks Tom! Sadly I live too close to my work to use the bike regularly, but I’ll take it if I need to travel further after my shift.

[@nickconley4794]

buying my first commuter bike tomorrow! very timely video to help me get started, thank you!

[@justcommenting4981]

Left turns are scary. It made me realize why I can't get a motorcycle. Very vulnerable feeling to be in the middle of the road and just hoping the cars behind you actually see you and either stop or change lanes AND the oncoming lane doesn't vaporize you.

[@nicodemus1828384]

Congrats on the Priority sponsor! That's pretty rad!

[@bobavontanelorn5713]

Hello! Amazing video, Thank you! I second the advice that viewer speeds can be better and that an internal gear is less complicate and less service intensive. Same goes for the belt instead of a chain. I would like to add two advices in my humble opinion: Add a mirror on the left handlebar in order to be able to look back if a car is coming or trying a takeover. This has a second effect: Most cars will keep more distance because your bike gets a few inches broader and no driver is risking a scratch on his car. Second: If you buy a new bike, talk about getting a better saddle and better handlebars. That is the part where most production companies fit out their bikes with low quality stuff. Think about ergonomics and how many hours you will stay on your saddle over a year and put a part of your body weight onto your hands. There are very good options and it will make the ride much more comfortable if you invest here. Have fun in riding! Best regards from Germany!

[@SquareyCircley]

11:25 interesting! First time I heard the name "Copenhagen left". But when bicycles and mopeds make a right turn (we drive on the left so its equivalent) in Japan it's acutally the law that we do that. Ni-dankai u-setsu (two-step right-turn).

[@biercenator]

I didn't know that! I've always done it that way, probably just from mimicking traffic patterns around me. Good to know.

[@ThePianoman--]

The best part of my daily bike commute is the stop at the local bakery: a coffee, a croissant and the newspaper. That's the start of almost every work day! PS: Working day or workday? Thanks cmmarti, corrected.

[@cmmartti]

Work day, two words.

[@TheRealE.B.]

Some of my local bike shops cater to transportation. Also, I can't stress enough to ditch the backpack in favor of proper bags. Backpacks are a major contributor to sweat because they keep your back from cooling off.

[@hannahgilan8504]

Thank you so so much for this video! I would love to start commuting on bike and I'm giving it a go now. I moved to Vienna and the infrastructure is amazing, this weekend I'm planning my first trip to my university, which will be my daily commute. I don't own a bike yet, I will be renting Vienna's city bikes (I have a discount so I'll only pay 35 cents for half an hour) and I'm giving it a go. I am disabled, so I'll see if it's plausible for me to ride a bike everyday, but I'd love to. Maybe it will even help with my pains. :D thank you for your videos, before I found your channel I would've never even thought about potentially commuting on bike but here we are. You and your channel are truly amazing! 🚲

[@ghjgjihjgjyrdrgydsgr137]

Another great video. Rare that I don't agree with you on basically everything, but I think that if someone has a bike, or buys one with a front derailleur, yeah they probably do have more gears than they need, but if it's working, just leave it. You can take it off etc. when you're used to bike commuting. If you take it off too early, you won't really know exactly what change you want. I do have one and I'm lucky that it's extremely reliable, and if it wasn't, I would probably take it off, because I literally never use the two fastest gears. Also, if you're wearing teeth down a lot on the rear gears you use most frequently, you can shift the front and leave it, and then you'll have to shift the rear too and you'll share the rear wear to different cogs on the back, too.

[@simonmandrakejones]

When I revamped my old bike, I invested in puncture resistant tyres. They were a little bit more expensive but worth every penny.

[@stevietv321]

I dearly love to ride my bike and would love to commute for all my needs. But I live in a very unfriendly city for bikes. I love this channel and get lots of inspiration.

[@Novalarke]

A vote pro-ebike. I'm older. My knees and ankles are, well, they're not shot, but they've seen better days. An ebike keeps me on the road, and commuting to work.

[@freakilyweird]

Per your comment at minute 20:30: your channel was a big part of what convinced me to take up bike commuting 1 year ago. In terms of sheer love, my ebike is now my 3rd child XD

[@jasoncbrooks74]

I think you can do this video every year. You’ve done very similar videos but I think the time of year is right when people are interested in the info. A new fresh updated video just may be the spark someone needs! I enjoy the refresher and the motivation to get out there and ride.

[@heywhotsgoinon8286]

Love all your videos. Keep em coming. Best wishes from uk.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Thank you for taking the time to watch them 👍🏻

[@Nuibuddy]

This video is exactly what i need right now. I'm trying to shift into commuting to work and there are so many aspects I'm trying to consider. Thanks for the video!

[@grahambonner508]

I would add an important tip: in most countries, commuting by bicycle involves sharing road space with cars. I think it is fundamental for a cyclist to know the rules of the road and how they impact cyclists. In the UK we have the highway code, a detailed document (accessible online at the government website) and this contains a whole section for cyclists with rules and advice for using the highway. Following the rules is (most of the time) the best way to stay safe in a far from ideal environment.

[@frankcl1]

Yes it's very important, unfortunately in many countries lawmakers don't think about bikes, and even when they do people in charge of traffic signs often ignore them

[@lmaoroflcopter]

If you're in the UK I can't recommend enough the book cyclecraft. It'll give you the cycling specific knowledge to handle any road situation.

[@anthonylewenz4827]

I've read the Highway Code and try to obey it. The problem is (mainly) car drivers who are ignorant of it. I ride with a conspicuous camera which tends to ensure they don't close pass. Above all, it's common sense and making sure your intentions are clear.

[@lontraboi]

Any tips on commuting with a folding bike? Mine us a 7gear beauty, a little heavy weight.. but my commute is around 5Km only on a very warm 🥵 weather. (Around 30°C)

[@grahambonner508]

@@lontraboi I think for the most part it's not really any different. You probably want a bag that you can carry like a backpack for when the bike is folded, but also fit easily onto the bike for more comfort when riding in those hot temperatures. You also have the added bonus of being able to easily use public transport.

Hi. I've been following your channel since last year and the content is awsome. Inspiring! I live in Brazil and I had started bike commuting at the same time. Your episode about helmets has a point. Ride a bike is about fun and joy, I agree with you. Thank you a lot!

[@tomasm4671]

Nice video. You've attacked exactly the right questions. The most relevant for me were shifting, sweating and bagging.

[@Joe-vm6ds]

Switching to the pannier bag was the biggest game changer for me, I could never go back to using a backpack while riding

[@alexj7816]

Thanks for the video, it encompases every advise needed for bike commutting. I would stress the importance of planning your route and improve it (to be safer and more enjoy able). Great work!

[@nik257]

Great video! This channel has 100% turned me into a bike commuter! Thank you for all the advice!

[@smmx621]

Thanks for sharing your great tips and experience!

[@reilandeubank]

1:48 AGREE! I use my bike to get to work and to class (i'm in college in the south), and even though my bike has 21 speeds, I use..... 1 of them. Sometimes ill drop it down a bit if I need to go up a big hill, but I have realized that I generally just don't need to change out of the most medium gear

[@Shifter_Cycling]

This was also my experience when I first started. Plus, all of those gears I didn't use required cleaning and maintenance, so I made a change. Thanks for sharing.

[@edernhaushofer2011]

@@Shifter_Cycling Hum not using the right speed in hills is hurting you knees in the long run and is also the reason why you'd be sweating. Also, do you live in a flat city (Netherlands) ? Because even in Paris, for instance, which is really moderate in terms of height differences, I use my front derailleur a lot...

[@edernhaushofer2011]

Oopsie my bad your background doesn't look like the Netherlands. North america ? Canada or North of the US ? Anyway, I still love front derailleurs, they're the simplest component in terms of functionality and repairability imo. Great tips otherwise !

[@reilandeubank]

@@edernhaushofer2011 not sure if you’re responding to the original creator or me, but he’s from Calgary CA and I live in Alabama (the profile picture is Texas tho haha) and Alabama isn’t exactly mountainous but it does have large changes in elevation and there’s an incredibly steep hill outside of my apartment I try to avoid if I can

[@bobr9689]

I bought an e-trike (recumbent trike) that I love! I usually go bike riding with a group every Saturday (unless it's too cold, rainy, or windy). I have a rear bike rack, bolt on a rear basket, and keep everything in a zip-up insulated cloth cooler (which has a bungee cord strapped over it). I have 2 lights in front and 2 lights in back, along with a flag, and wear the brightest clothes (orange windbreaker primarily). Object to the game: be as visible as possible! Although I'm retired, I want to use my trike to go on errands but find stores that don't have a place to chain up your bikes (although I'm looking forward to going to the bank and using the drive-up each month!). Enjoy your videos - have learned a lot in the 7 months I've been riding (also have lost about 80lbs in that time).

[@comounaverdura]

You have really great advice. This is the best bike channel.

[@TroubleshootGamingMeds]

Youve come a long way, Tom. Cheers!

[@stevenwalter3311]

This channel is the reason I bike commute year round. I also bought the Continuum a couple years ago based on your review. I love it! I use it for commuting and touring. It's a great, reliable all-around rider.

[@showboat4869]

Loved and totally agree with what you said in the last minute of the video Nice work your doing and enjoy watching your content. 👏

[@sdmike1141]

Great information for everyone at any level of riding. I like the suggestion of “figuring it out” for your own experience, because everyone’s commute will be different. I rode a lot in the 0-dark:30 of early mornings, and all of your suggestions work there too! Thanks!

[@xinuos]

Hi there Tom! I'm just starting out with commuting to work with my bike and wanted to say a quick thank you for a very informative video and I very much appreciate your laid back and down to earth delivery style in an otherwise overwhelming and sometimes overhyped biking related content landscape. 😊

[@rogerhart612]

Awesome video. Very encouraging and informative. Thank you. Looking forward to the next one.👏👏

[@JasonWood100]

I just started bike commuting in Idaho last year, it's been the best thing ever!

[@danfehr3252]

Thanks for the great video Tom! I am just getting back into biking by getting myself an e-bike a few months ago. I am slowly working my way into regular commuting and loving it. Your suggestions are very helpful, especially about not being too serious about having to commute every day. I am 59 and in decent shape but it will take me a while to get my bike legs used to a regular routine. I live in Regina Saskatchewan and after watching some of your videos am looking forward to riding through the summer and getting into winter riding. Please keep the videos coming.

[@peter_smyth]

This video is great, it comprehensively covers aspects of cycle commuting for beginners, while ignoring things people don't need to know. I have been various types of cycle commuter mentioned, including being new and inexperienced, using it as a workout before showering at work, and keeping it relaxed and simple.

[@singmeunder]

This was a great video! I've been bike commuting for years, but I recently moved to a _much_ denser city than I'm accustomed too and decided to refresh on some advice for commuting.

[@OfTheGaps]

If you pack a change of clothes, I highly recommend packing cubes (a.k.a. suitcase dividers). It makes it so much easier to put all your clothes in, or pull them out of your bag in one easy motion, and it helps keep them from wrinkling. It also gives you someplace to put your sweaty clothes so they don't make contact with the other items in your bag. I also second Shifter's suggestion that you get an e-bike. On most of them you can adjust how much pedal assistance you get. If you're feeling lazy, max out the assistance. If you want a workout, set it to minimum or turn it off. It makes it a lot easier to establish a riding habit if you remove as many obstacles as possible. If you are like me you will soon come to dread the infrequent days that you have to drive.

[@ecopennylife]

Great tips. I prefer an pedal assist eBike to make it easier with less sweat. I'm lucky to have a garage for the bike so it's 'ready to roll' with the helmet & other gear nearby. Still drive occasionally if the weather is bad etc. Advise to start with a basic too & from commute to work, eventually you'll start slipping in other trips on the bike like myself 🚴

[@antonioz7991]

Thanks Tom! Your channel and this kind of videos gave me the courage to embrace bike commuting a couple of years ago. +1 to all tips here. Also, I would also recommend people spending more than 30ish min on a bike at the time to have some sort of bike fitting. It really helped me be more comfortable on my bike making me ride longer and more frequently. 😊

[@sandhawk60]

Fantastic overview and really enjoyed your presentation style, well done! New to bike commuting and found this very helpful!

[@philwyeth]

Great guide Tom. Start your commute clean, shower before you leave home. Then I use a very small towel, half the size of a hand towel and it's enough to dry the sweat off, then apply deodorant. I change my clothes too. I've asked my work colleagues and they say I've never smelt... and they are brutally honest! 100% get a bike rack and panniers, less sweat, nicer ride, ability to carry extra when required. I leave my shoes at work, just bring chinos, shirt and underwear.

[@unnamedracer9757]

I’ve run 3x7, 3x8, and 1x9 A 1x9 MTB drivetrain is fantastic. Super low gear for steep hills, yet plenty of range for the downhill stretches.

[@cheapknight1293]

I'm dutch and don't really feel like most of your content is very applicable to me... however, your vids are so wholesome and i enjoy them every time. Some points are still useful here, and I am glad that you are enabling more people to ride, thank you🎉❤

[@austinhernandez2716]

First you gotta be lucky enough to live in a city where it's possible. Here, in a freaking college town, where many students don't have a car, there are no bike lanes. Zero. And the sidewalks are terrible too. Ride on the road? Yeah, try that, with 45mph traffic, half of it being big pickup trucks.

[@MrMtr999]

Ebikes all the way, it is car replacement, been riding Ebikes 3 full years now, and yes no car no problem. Ebikes can do 90% of commute the long distance out of town is 10% that car still needed. Only out of city, car is needed IF you want to be there fast. Great channel 👍

[@HK-eb3by]

I agree with your perspective on the sidewalk use. Many times when there is a narrow busy road and nice big wide empty sidewalk beside it I'll more than happily ride right onto the sidewalk. Usually the 5 pedestrians who happen to use it in a day aren't on it anyways.

[@Euniceiscool]

Right now, it takes me about half an hour to drive to work 30km. When I get home, I would typically exercise on a stationary bike for about 30-45 minutes. Today I tried to ride my new ebike to work. It takes me about 55ish minutes to ride the same 30km using pedal assist. The amount of time spent to do my commute and get my exercise in is about the same with the added benefit of not needing to pay for $2/litre BC gas.

[@emilyzeus]

Great video. Lots of good tips here. 👍

[@danielmaldonado7287]

My two cents about bike commuting, based on my personal experience: - Try to make your bike as light as possible. If you can’t go tubeless, TPU tubes are kind of close. - Wear a merino wool baselayer. That will keep you dry and comfortable in winter and in the summer. It’s not cheap, but you can find very good prices with Uniqlo. - I agree that you don’t need bike specific shoes, but I use flat MTB shoes. Besides having a good grip, I find them to very comfortable and can wear them all day long.