Bike Commuting - Where to Start 

Sitting in traffic sucks. A bike ride to work or school is a great way to unwind, burn some calories and beat the traffic. Visit the Two Wheel Gear Bike To Work Guide for the five things you need to get started.

A checklist helps make it easy. Below is a solid list to consider when starting to commute by bike.

• Bike tune-ups - Just like your car, bikes ride better with a little TLC from your local bike shop
• Bike locks - You get what you pay for in locks, so pay more 
• Safety Gear - Helmet, gloves, glasses
• Cycling Apparel - Proper jacket, layers, shoes, rain gear 
• Gadgets - Front and rear lights, bell
• Work Garments - Remember the little things like socks, underwear, belt, accessories
• Toiletries - Clean up when you get there, commuting can be a dirty job
• Plan your route - Try to avoid congested areas, find the best bike routes on Google maps (If you ride in traffic, understand the traffic flow and the rules of the road)

Commuter Video Series for Beginners 

Getting on the bike for your first work commute can be intimidating. Its always good to hear a few tips from someone who has been at it for awhile. We asked a long time friend of Two Wheel Gear and veteran bike commuter, Dave Norris to give everyone a run through the basics of cycling to the office. (The quality on the following videos is ancient, but the lessons are valuable)

• Winter Commuting Clothing Tips - Video 1
• Fenders can Save You a lot of Grief - Video 2 
• The Basic Bike Commuting Tools - Video 3

Bike Commuting Forums / Cycling Communities  

The best places to research, post questions and find answers to everything you need to know for your bike commute. These forums are full of gear suggestions, bike repair instructions, bike tips, tricks and interesting stories to keep you surrounded with like minded commuters. Somewhere, someone has probably asked that exact same question your thinking of now. You will likely find the answer in one of the following information gold mines.

• Bikeforums.net 
• Bicycles Stack Exchange
• Reddit - Bicycle Commuting

Commuting Blogs, Tips and Awesome Sites to Follow 

Here are some of our favourite resources for gear reviews, new ways to carry things, bike commuting chatter and general resources for safety tips and fixing your bike.

• A, B, C's of starting to ride your bike
• Bike Rumour
• Commute by Bike
• Bike Commuters
• Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips 
• Momentum Magazine
• Bicycling Magazine
• Carryology
• Bicycle Maintenance Guide & Riding Tips
• Urban Bicycling Safety - A Complete Guide to Biking Safely in the City
• Safety Resource Guide For Biking and Other Outdoor Activities
• Commuting By Bike: Safety Guide & Tips
• Shifter Cycling Blog - Tom Babin 
• Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling - Tom Babin
• Average Joe Cyclist
• Women's Bike and Fitness

Route Planning and Mapping Resources 

Every bike commute starts with a plan on how to get there. This is one of the most basic but essential steps in starting to commute by bike. Finding a good route and tracking your progress is one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey. There is loads of new technology out there on how to best map and record your ride. From the super basic and free applications to more advanced ways to document your travels. Below are some of our favourites.

• Google Maps - Basic, free, and bike path specific
• Strava - GPS tracking, record and race for best times in a local online community of riders
• CycleMaps - Cycling Route Planner and Navigator
• Map My Ride - Map route, track activity, fitness integration, social sharing

Cycling Advocacy & Sustainability Groups We Support 

We are a proud supporters of local, provincial, and national cycling initiatives and advocacy groups in Canada and the United States. Explore the following groups for a wealth of knowledge in bike initiatives paving the way in North America.

• HUB: Your Cycling Connection - Vancouver
• The Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society
• Bike to Work BC
• NSMBA - North Shore Mountain Bike Association - North Vancouver
• Bike to Work Day - Calgary
• Bike to School Day - Calgary
• Calgary Tour De Nuit Society
• Bike Calgary
• Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society
• Elbow Valley Cycle Club
• Commuter Challenge In Canada
• League of American Cyclists
• Washington (DC) Area Bicyclist Association

Know of a resource we should add? Let us know at info@twowheelgear.com