Bryan Urakawa, QA Manager, Quality Assurance:

Once upon a time, you could not ride a bike.  Maybe you were 5 when you learned, maybe 7, maybe 10 (maybe it’s a future date still - it’s never too late!).  Think about it.  Think about what it meant - the freedom to go farther and faster with less effort, feeling the wind, turning the pedals, steering wherever you wanted:  Freedom.

When we became old enough to drive, many of us discarded our bikes for the perceived freedom of the automobile but there are plenty of reasons why we should reconsider cycling.

Whether your commute is 2 miles or 20 miles or more, with minimal planning, you can bike to work.

A few reasons why you should bike to work. Some obvious ones are environmental impact, the current economy, the rising price of gas, roadway congestion, lowered stress, increased productivity and improved health.  Other reasons that are often overlooked include improved health and fitness (which itself leads to a whole list of benefits), lower healthcare costs, more free time (or just more exercise from exercising during commute instead of separately), setting a healthy and green example for family and friends, improved self-image, coworker envy and admiration, and the chance to look like a spandex superhero.  Alright, the spandex is optional and shouldn’t necessarily be considered but you can still fancy yourself a superhero as you save the environment and rediscover the joy and freedom you once knew.

I hear from people regularly who don’t need a reason why to bike to work.  In addition to the list above, they have their own reasons and already want to - they’re just not sure how to make it happen.  With that in mind, I’ll touch on three areas that I commonly get questions on:  What one needs, what route to take, and a few other considerations that may or may not apply to you.

What does one need to bike to work?  1) A bike.  Any Bike - new, old or ancient - if you can ride it, it’ll work (one of my commuter bikes is from the 80’s).  2) A Helmet - safety comes first and helmets are mandated by law in many areas.  If you’re unsure whether your bike or helmet is fit for your commute, a quick stop at your local bike shop will set you straight.

What route to take?  Of course this depends on your specific commute with factors including road quality, road width, existence of shoulders, existence of bike paths, etc.  A great resource is Google Maps, which does bicycling-specific directions and allows you to drag the route to adjust for individual route preferences.  If your commute is lengthy, has a hill that you aren’t ready to tackle, or a section that you just don’t want to ride, there is usually an easy workaround.  Many buses are now equipped with bike racks - jump on a bus to get up that hill or take you through the part of town that you don’t like.  The racks can look intimidating and complex, but they’re generally very easy to use and the drivers will not get upset or try to run you down while you’re figuring it out for the first time.  An online search for your public transportation and “bike video” and should return plenty of information and videos to show you how.  Trains and other methods of public transportation are also generally very bike friendly.  Another option is to drive part of your commute and bike the rest.  Riding the last couple miles to work can save enough in parking costs to fund a new bike in no time!

Lastly, a few things to consider as you find yourself getting excited to make that first trip.  Beyond the absolute necessities, many things can make a difference in comfort.  A comprehensive list is impossible due to varying weather conditions, distances, cargo requirements, etc., so I’ll mention just a few and your local bike shop (or commuter/coworker) can help you determine which ones may be of interest to you:  a bell, front and rear lights, a backpack or rack and pannier, a bike lock, fenders and flaps, gloves, eye protection, toe-warmers or shoe covers, bike shoes and clipless pedals, skull-cap or ear-warmers, arm-warmers and padded bike shorts.

Biking to work often takes little more time than ones car or bus commute - for myself, biking takes less time than by bus, train or car - and it’s great exercise to start and finish the day.  For myself, regardless of the weather, I’m much happier arriving at work or at home by bike than by bus, train or car.  Biking to work is easier than most people realize - until they just get out there and do it, which is also when they remember what they knew as a kid:  Biking is Freedom.

Some cycling resources in the Seattle area:

Cascade Bicycle Club
Google Maps
King County Metro
Sound Transit (Bicycling PDF)
Pierce Transit
Community Transit