Prepare to Bike to Work


By Madison De Silva

February, 2023





Biking to work is a great way to improve your health while saving money but it does involve some preparation beforehand. Below, we have listed steps you need to take before your journey.


The first thing you need to do, if you haven’t already, is purchasing a bike. When deciding what bike to purchase, you should do preliminary research on the best bikes for your needs. Are you looking for the best bikes for beginners? The fastest bike? The next thing you want to do is to try out the bike. This can be done in-store or you can order from a site that allows returns. When choosing the size of the bike check its listed standover height. You want a bike which has a standover height as close to your inseam height as possible.


Now that you have a bike, you're going to need to know how to take care of it. Bike maintenance is important in improving the lifetime of your bike and ensuring your safety. This can be done by inspecting your bike each time before your ride.


Bike Care Checklist:

  • Keep the bike clean
  • Inspect tires for anything out of the ordinary
  • Ensure nuts, bolts and screws are not loose
  • Click the here to download the bike ABC check

Even if you are experienced, accidents happen. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Although not all accidents can be prevented, we can minimize the risk of injury by wearing the proper safety gear. That means… A HELMET. Click here to see Ontario's helmet policy. Helmets slow down the rate of impact on your head and spreads the force of impact so it's not all focused in one area. If you are new to biking, you may want to try elbow pads or knee pads. You may choose to opt for a discreet pair which can be disguised under a jacket or thick pants.


As avid bikers, we hate to admit it, but not all weather is biking weather. When experiencing strong winds, rain, icy roads or low visibility you may choose to opt for an alternate mode of transport such as carpooling.


Another important thing to do prior to your bike ride is to plan your route. This can be done prior to your trip using the SmartCommute.ca app which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.