The average time for a one-way commute in America is 27.6 minutes. Buying a bike for commuting allows you to get out of the confines of your car and into the fresh air. Commuting on a bike is a much more enjoyable experience.
Not only do you increase your cardiovascular health, but you also get to avoid the mind-numbing doldrums of traffic congestion. The first time you scoot past gridlocked cars, you will understand the benefits of road bikes for commuting.
So how can you tell if commuting via bicycle is a viable option for you? The answers lie within this handy guide. Read on to learn all you need to consider when deciding to commute on a road bike.
The Distance of Your Commute
How many miles is your commute? What kind of terrain do you have to travel over to get to your destination? Think about factors such as hills, as well.
A hilly commute will be more challenging to traverse than a flat one.
Anything over about 50 miles may not be worth commuting on a bicycle. A range of under 25 miles is easy to accomplish on the best commuter bike. Make sure to wake up a bit earlier to account for your slower speed!
Your Level of Fitness
How fit and competent are you on your bicycle? Biking every day gets you in shape but can be hard at first. You may want to take your bike out for a spin on weekends to get in shape before commuting on it.
Checking out some electric bikes can be a great way to ease yourself into a bicycle commuting routine. Your range and top speed expand with an electric bike.
Traffic in Your Area
When weighing the pros and cons of commuting on a road bike, you need to analyze traffic in your area. One of the biggest commuting on a road bike benefits is that you avoid traffic.
Gridlock-prone areas are the best places to commute via bicycle. You may even save time commuting to work on your bike if your area has terrible traffic.
Availability of Bike Friendly Routes
Having some dedicated bike paths along your commute route can provide you with a much safer and more efficient biking experience. At the very least, you should try and find some roads with bicycle lanes along your commute.
You don’t want to end up in a bicycle accident with an automobile. Find some less-traveled roads if your local area lacks dedicated bike paths or lanes.
Try a Bike for Commuting
The best way to learn about road bike pros and cons is to try one out for yourself. Using a bike for commuting is a way to enjoy more outdoor time each day and save the planet in the process.
Use the information in this guide to determine if buying a bike for commuting is your best option. To stay informed about a myriad of other topics in the same vein as this one, check out our website for other informative content.