Bike to Work Day/Week/Month is next month. Are you thinking about participating? In the latest episode of We’ll Take the Wheel, Jennifer Grissom from Fort Worth Bike Sharing shared with us some of her tips to have a successful ride.
|
HAVE A PLAN Plan your route ahead of time. Depending on where you live, you might need to use connecting services for your commute. Make sure to review the routes and schedules of any connecting service that you will be using the night before. There are two Fort Worth Bike Sharing docking stations located at Fort Worth Central Station and Fort Worth T&P Station. To view a list of Fort Worth Bike Sharing docking stations, click here. The schedules for all Trinity Metro services are available on RIDETRINITYMETRO.org
|
|
ALLOW YOUR PLAN TO BE FLEXIBLE Sometimes things don’t always go as planned and that’s ok. Biking to work is not an all-or-nothing situation. Let yourself off the hook sometimes, this is not supposed to be an unpleasant experience. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself extra time to sort your trip out.
|
|
HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF ITEMS TO HELP MAKE YOUR TRIP EASIER You might have to pack more than you would for a simple car ride but don’t overdo it. The less you carry with you on your bike, the more enjoyable your commute will be. An alternative could be to stash extra clothes, toiletries, and snacks in your desk at the office so you don’t have to carry them during your ride.
|
|
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT Wear a helmet! In the unlikely event of an accident, you want to make sure your head is protected. Depending on what time of the day your commute is, you are also going to want to wear clothes that can easily be seen by motorists. Some other tools you might need are a lock, bell, fenders, and lights. Also, make sure that you know how to change a flat and have the right tools to do so.
|
|
SHOES ARE IMPORTANT! Most cyclists ride in athletic shoes and then change shoes in the office. Keeping a pair of spare shoes in a drawer on your desk is a good practice in case you forget to pack your change of shoes. This also helps lower the weight in the luggage you are carrying with you while riding.
|
|
CONSIDER WEATHER Texas weather can change quickly so make sure you have a plan for riding under different weather conditions. As a rule of thumb, check the weather every night so you have time to pack any extra items that you might need like a raincoat or extra clothes.
|
If you like to learn more about biking to work, below you can listen to the latest episode of We’ll Take the Wheel. If you decide to join in the Bike to Work celebration, let us know! We would love to hear your stories. Please send us an email to marketing@ridetm.org