"Bike Commuting Saves Time, Money"

Want a product that will save you time and money, almost right away? Well, you probably already own it: a bicycle.

An automobile costs the average American $3,300 to $6,500 a year. Yet a bicycle costs only $20 to $300 a year to keep running.

And American workers spend more than eleven hours per week commuting--time they would like to use for other pursuits, such as exercise.

But can you really use a bicycle in place of your car? In a car, you do not have to worry about how you dress, about whether you will smell badly at your destination nor about theft.

Surprise! You don't have to worry about these things on a bicycle, either. I am going to let you in on a few secrets that will boost your enjoyment of this economical and time-saving activity.

In my book, Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, I advocate bicycle commuting to and from work as a way to start cycling more. To facilitate your trip, separate the tasks. After all, when you drove a car, you didn't go immediately onto an expressway.

Starting with the essentials, I'll walk you through some various tasks.

How to carry stuff
Do not carry things by hand, instead, wear a backpack. Or, if you will carry stuff often, pay $30 to $40 for a rear carrying rack. With a rack and bungee cords, you can carry briefcases, computers . . . even side-mounted bike bags that will hold your whole wardrobe.

Planning a route
Next comes how to get from here to there. First, check the roads you already take by automobile: Do they have shoulders you can bike on, or outside lanes wide enough for a car and bike to share safely?

If not, ask people you know about roads they like for cycling. Don't know any bikers? Attend a meeting of a bike club in your area. Also check the roads suggested by the Wisconsin state bicycling map. Get it by calling (800) 362-4537.

After you plan a route, do not try it on a work day. Instead, try biking to your workplace on a quiet Saturday or Sunday morning. This way, you will not have to worry about traffic, finding your way, and getting to work on time, all at once. Remember, separate the challenges.

Looking like new
When I researched Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, most bike commuters told me they do not shower at their destinations. Meaning they get fired? No. Bike commuters simply use a washroom at work to towel dry, then change into fresh clothes--which they carry in a backpack or bike bag. (Experienced travelers know how to avoid wrinkles in their clothes by rolling them.) If you perspire a lot, apply talc before cycling. Your coworkers will never guess how you got there.

You do not have to carry your clothes every time you bike to work. On days you don't, bring one, two or more sets of clothes in a garment bag. Also, keep a spare set of socks, underwear, and shoes at work, just in case you forget to bring them.

Time yourself
Once you have got all the details worked out, try a dry run. Bike to work with your work clothes, taking the route you chose. Lock up, go into your building, clean up and dress-- but do it on a weekend. Time it. Then, try it on a work day, but give yourself extra time.

What if coworkers kid you? Ask them two things. First, how much time did they spend exercising last week? And how much money did they spend on gas? Most likely you exercised more and spent nowhere near as much--because you "biked" to work.

Find more tips on biking in Glowacz™ popular book Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, available at book stores and bike shops, by calling (800) 888-4741 or by e-mailing wordspace@compuserve.com. Also check out his Web site - askmrbike.com.