A two wheeled commute might just be the most underrated fitness hack there is. For nearly 20 years I rode 6.5 miles to and from work each day. Coming from a racing background, and a few years of riding thousands of miles in training each year, I thought nothing of those miles. Simply a means to an end, and barely worth getting kitted out for.
But when our offices moved and that commute stopped, it took just a few days to realise how valuable those daily miles were. Just 20 - 30 minutes of pedalling twice a day brought amazing fitness benefits that I didn't even notice.
If you commute to work, the chances are that's the only regular time of day when you have to get from A-B. Most other journeys are a probably done by choice. Therefore your commute is not only the most convenient time to do some exercise, it's the most regular.
Use that A-B time as your exercise and you're killing two birds with one stone. That daily exercise will bring you more than just improved fitness too. There are the well documented mental health benefits of exercise in the fresh air, and you'll save money too.
There are also societal and environmental impacts gained from people riding bikes. As an individual it won't feel like you're making a difference, but as part of a wider movement, you are. Cities around the world are slowly waking up to the benefits and efficiency of moving thousands of people around on two wheels and we're willing to bet that once you've tried it, you'll quickly realise how life-changing it can be.
That's why one week each year we run Commuter Week here on CW. We're always going to espouse the benefits of riding bikes, and this is one of the best ways to get more people doing it.
And you can help too. If you know someone who wants to try commuting by bike, why not buddy up with them, help them with routes or recommend a friendly bike shop. You could even send them links to some of the articles below.
Commuter week highlights
- Why riding your bike to work isn't wasted miles: Many high performing amateur racers have used their commutes as part of their training. Here's why your commute can give your fitness a huge boost
- What to wear on your commute: There is a baffling amount of kit out there, we're here to make sense of it for you
- The benefits of riding to work: From saving money to improving your health, there are many advantages to riding to work.
- Lessons from a seasoned commuter: After 20 years of riding, Sam Jones offers some sage advice on the does and don'ts of riding to work.
- Can I live without a car?: One of our testers dropped four wheels completely to see if he could live without them. He needed a cargo bike to do it, but even he was surprised at what he found (Coming later this week....)
What you need to commute
The beauty of riding to work is that it's cheaper, healthier and often quicker than driving or using public transport. If you've already got a bike then you're good to go. But as the weather changes and daylight hours shift there will be some kit that it's worth investing in as you continue. There's no need to buy it all, and there's no need to buy it all at once, but a few essentials will make all the difference.
Our testers are constantly using and reviewing this kit, and we pull it all together in our buyers guides below. Check them out before you part with your cash.
- How to plan a route to work: Don't just follow the roads you'd usually drive when you ride to work, plot a new route and use quieter roads and dodge the traffic
- Best commuter bikes: Where you ride and how fast and far you go will dictate what kind of bike you need. Our buyers guide will take you through the essentials.
- Best commuter shoes: Commuting can involve some walking, sections on public transport and crossing the office floor. Choosing the best shoes therefore isn't always straightforward.
- How to secure your bike: Depending on what facilities you have available at your place of work, you'll probably need some kind of lock to secure your bike. But there's more to consider.
- Best bike lights: No matter the time of year, making yourself more visible is always a good idea, and there is a vast array of lights available to do that.
