Bike to Work Day
For those who may not know, Bike to Work Day is today, May 21. If you’re like most people…you don’t (bike to work, that is). That’s ok. It’s not always easy to do in Baton Rouge and for many people, it’s just not practical. That being said, it might be more practical than you think. We at Bike Baton Rouge would like to provide some solutions for some of the most common reasons people give for not biking to work:
1. What about the rain?
Sure, it’s not fun to get caught in the rain and yes, it does rain a lot in south Louisiana. But did you know it only rains one out of six days, on average, in Baton Rouge? And those days where it rains, it doesn’t necessarily rain when you’re on your way to or from work. And when it does rain on you, there are ways to deal with it:
Proper attire – there are rain jackets out there for all seasons. You can wear rain gear to bike and change once you get to work (or home).
Lights – driver visibility is compromised during the rain. Make sure you are visible, especially to drivers behind you.
2. But I have too much stuff to carry.
It’s one thing if you have a work truck/van loaded with tools or if you are required to use a car or truck for your job. It’s another if you are simply going to work at an office or store.
Backpack – there’s the trusty backpack. This is usually enough to handle your laptop, lunch and a change of clothes. Downside? It’s on your back. It’s easier to let your bike do the work…
Rear rack – For those who don’t have a rear rack…you should get one. It’s a game changer. You can attach a common milk crate on the back with zip ties or bungees. There are collapsible baskets that fit on the sides of your rack. The best option is panniers (French for “bike bag”). They make big ones, small ones, even waterproof ones (for the rain). Rear rack options are great for that trip to the grocery store on the way home as well.
3. But it’s too cold (rarely applicable in Baton Rouge).
Even in Louisiana, it gets cold. But the cold doesn’t stop people from biking in Minneapolis or Helsinki, so why should it stop someone in Baton Rouge? Pro tip: you don’t need as much clothing as you think. Just cover your extremities – gloves, earmuffs or caps and lip balm. Your body heat will take care of the rest after about 5 or 10 minutes of riding. Wear a layer you can shed ½ way through your commute. Don’t dress to be warm immediately after stepping outside. If you’ve dressed correctly, you’ll be cold at first, but you’ll warm up soon enough.
4. I don’t want to get all sweaty.
This is probably the most common excuse we hear about why people choose not to bike to work. After all...it does get very hot in south Louisiana. Here are some pro tips:
Wear shorts on your ride, bring your work clothes to change into once you get to work (see storage options from earlier)
The Two Towel method – bring one small towel to wipe off/cool down, and another for drying off. A little smell-good and a few minutes inside in the A/C, and you’ll be fine.
For those with long hair, utilize a “dry-shampoo” spray and an “up hairdo.” You’ll look sharp and will stay cool more easily.
Desk Fan – a little desk fan for your office or workstation is super helpful.
Seriously folks, you’d be surprised at how easy it is to adapt to biking to work in the heat.
5. But I live too far away.
This one’s tough. We realize we’re not likely to convince someone to bike 20+ miles to and from work every day. However, what’s not that farfetched is to go “multi-modal.” If you have a way to carry your bike on your vehicle, consider driving ½ way and biking the second ½. We guarantee you’ll enjoy the 2nd ½ more!
Or… if you live on the CATS route, you can put your bike on the front of the bus (easier than you think) and sit in the air-conditioned bus most of the way.
6. But I have kids.
This one’s tough as well. But believe it or not, it’s totally possible to cart your kids around by bike, just as you would in a minivan. There are cargo bikes that are designed for carrying children. They’re extremely cool. There are attachable bike seats that are made for little kids. There are bike trailers that hold two children as well. Check out your local bike shop for options.
And if your child is old enough, you can ride bikes together to school. Your child will be more alert and ready to learn. Plus, instilling the values of active, environmentally friendly transportation can’t be done too early in a child’s life.
7. But I’m not sure of the best way to get there.
Plan your route. Don’t wait til the first day you bike to work to figure out how best to get there. Do a trial ride on your day off so you can see how long it takes and figure out if there are certain streets or intersections that should be utilized or avoided. Remember…the route you drive will rarely be the same route you bike. Streets designed for moving lots of cars very fast are almost always not the ones you want to take on your bike if you can avoid it. Conversely, taking neighborhood streets will slow you down in a car (accordingly), but not on a bike. Even if you’re really flying, you’re probably only going 20 mph or so.
By the way, we can help with planning your route.
You can even quantify the benefits.
It’s no secret that replacing vehicle miles with bike miles is good for your heart, waistline, wallet and well…the world. Check out our calculator to see how much gas money you can save, how many calories you can burn and the emissions you can prevent by swapping some car commutes with bike rides!
Remember, always have your lights, your lock and the supplies/ability to change a flat tire. Here’s a super helpful video from our friends at BREC and Front Yard Bikes that shows you how to change a flat. Another pro tip is to carry $1.75 with you at all times. If your bike has a mechanical issue you can’t fix on the fly, you can always stick your bike on the front of the bus.
Know any other helpful pro tips? We’d love to hear them in the comments!
Happy riding!
