Before you give it a go:
Outdoor Chattanooga hosts "Intro to Bike Commuting" classes on the third Monday of every month, free of charge. In the class, riders can learn about city and state laws regarding cyclists, proper lane positioning and changing, how to signal correctly and more. For more information, contact Outdoor Chattanooga at info@outdoorchattanooga.com or 423-643-6888.
John Marshall, a logistics specialist at Volkswagen, always shrugs when people say they don't have the time to work out. He finds plenty of time - and he gets to save a couple hundred dollars a year while doing it, too.
As often as he can, Marshall makes the 12-mile commute from his home to the Volkswagen plant on his bike. It may not be downtown Chattanooga, but he says bike commuting can be done almost anywhere.
"Although it's a longer distance for me than a couple of miles for an urban commute it's such a good fitness opportunity," Marshall says. "It's about a 45-minute ride, and it gives me a great workout."
His goal is to commute 60 times this year, or about 1,400 miles for work alone. He's been able to commute more as the weather has improved, and is hopeful to reach his goal.
Marshall's learned a lot from his commutes that could come in handy for those considering it. One of the biggest lessons is to find out whether or not your job has shower and locker room facilities. Even if your commute would be short, he says, no one wants to work while sweaty.
Second is to pack a change of clothes and your work equipment on your bike instead of on your back. Marshall avoids backpacks, which can raise your center of gravity and make you sweatier than need be. He swears by pannier bike bags to carry his change of clothes and laptop. The bags are affixed to the frame of the bike, keeping the center of gravity low.
"Prepare the night before, too," Marshall advises. "You have to have everything ready to go so you're not searching for things in the morning. You want to enjoy what you're doing instead of feeling like you're rushing."
As for traffic, Marshall has found drivers pay more attention to him on the ride home than the ride in. Reflectors on his bike and clothing - something else to be mindful of - pick up light from cars' headlights easily, and morning drivers can still be groggy, he says.
Marshall's biggest piece of advice for people who want to try bike commuting? Simply try it. It's an opportunity to save money and get in a workout, and even if your commute is unreasonably long, there are ways to make it work, he says. When Marshall can't commute due to time or because of errands he has to run in the evening, he'll bring his bike to work and park at the far end of Volkswagen's parking lot and bike the half-mile to the entrance. Or he'll take his bike and park halfway between work and home, utilizing a conveniently located Cracker Barrel parking lot. "Then it's only a five-mile trip. It lets me still reduce my mileage and get a bit of a workout in."
More than anything, though, Marshall says he does it because bike commuting is fun. "Getting to work on my own power? That feels nice," he says.
Top to bottom: Arkel Urban Commuting Pannier, Cygolite Metro 400 & Hotshot 2W Combo and Martone Cycling Helmet V2Arkel Urban Commuting Pannier: This bag offers plenty of room, though at 2.6 pounds, it alone won't weigh down your trip. Since it's so close to the rear wheel, it won't throw off your pedaling or turning, either. Note: Panniers require a rear bike rack to mount properly.
Cygolite Metro 400 & Hotshot 2W Combo: This bike light combo is on many of the biking world's "best" lists. With both nighttime and daytime pulse modes, side illumination, a diffused front beam that won't blind others, a rechargable battery that warns you when it's running low, water-resistant design and more, it's easy to see why.
Martone Cycling Helmet V2: Stylish and convenient, this helmet folds down to easily fit in your bag, and the flip-down visor and detachable rain cap mean protection under any conditions.