Ditching your regular car commute for a bike is a thrilling idea. You gain a level of control you don’t have when driving or riding public transportation. Not only that, but it’s also great for the environment and your health! If you’ve been considering trading in your car for a bike to commute to work, here are some tips to get you rolling.
Start with a manageable distance and frequency
The temptation to start biking to work every day is strong but it’s smarter to ease into your new commute. If your office is a few miles away, it’s conceivable that you’ll be able to manage a roundtrip commute several times a week. But if you’re new to cycling, start small! Ride to work one or two days a week and consider carpooling or taking public transportation home. Then slowly add an additional day over the next few weeks as you get more comfortable with your new commute.
Plan your route
Don’t just go with the shortest route! Pick a route that is the safest for you. It may make your commute longer but finding less congested routes might be worth it. Once you’ve figured out your proposed route, take a practice ride over the weekend to see if you can manage the distance and check that it is a safe route.
Give yourself more time than you need
No one wants to arrive at work a harried, sweaty mess because you had to pedal hard to get to work. Instead, give yourself plenty of time to get to work so you arrive calm, cool, and collected.
Be safe
Riding a bike is a lot of fun but it does carry some risks. It’s important to follow some safety measures:
Wear a helmet: it goes without saying but always wear a helmet when you ride. You want to make sure your head is protected in the unlikely case of an accident.
Wear easily viewable clothing: if you’re commuting early in the morning or late at night, wear bright or reflective gear and consider installing a flashing light on your bike so drivers can easily see you.
Stay off the sidewalks: most places discourage biking on sidewalks because of the dangers of running into pedestrians, especially in crowded cities. Instead, stick to the street, whether it’s in a dedicated bike lane or as far right as possible. Take special care when riding into traffic to turn left at an intersection.
Watch for parked cars: stay alert for parked cars or for people getting ready to open a car door. Drivers may not see you and might swing the door open into your path. Leave some space between you and any cars on the side of the road just in case.
Skip the tunes: you want to be fully aware of your surroundings so skip listening to anything with your earbuds. Earbuds you’ll want to make sure you’re able to hear
Prep your office
Keep a survival kit at your desk so you can freshen up if needed once you arrive. Keep some toiletries you can use to freshen up when you arrive at the office like body wipes, a chamois towel, baby powder, dry shampoo, a brush, and possibly some extra clothes as a backup.
When it comes to commuting to work, its important to find what works for you!
Montecito in Mountain View features two collections of attached single-family homes:
Marquetta: 52 three-story attached homes with 2-3 bedrooms and 2.5-3.5 baths in approximately 1,406-1,708 square feet.
Thea: 31 three-story attached homes with 3-4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths in 1,614-1,893 approximately square feet.
For those to love to bike, Montecito’s designation as a Biker’s Paradise, earning a 96 Bike Score from Walk Score, means you can easily accomplish your daily errands and enjoy roaming around town on two-wheels. Its central location is close to many of the area’s top employers like Microsoft, LinkedIn, Kaiser, and El Camino Hospitals. Even better, its just minutes from the bike trail to Google!
We offer private tours and virtual appoints so you can visit and experience Montecito in Mountain View! Call 650-269-7388 or visit us online to schedule an appointment today!