Commuter Biking and Other Ways to Save Transport Costs

With the rising price of gas, diesel and other fuels, many people are now turning to biking as a good way of getting around their local area and even getting to work. Many workplaces are jumping on the bandwagon and offering incentives to their employees who are willing to give up the car even a few days per week and either bike or take public transit into the office.

Of course, many people have fallen out of the habit of biking and, may have never even considered jumping on their bike to go to work or school. There are quite a few mistakes that people are likely to make when first starting out, such as purchasing a bike that doesn’t suit their needs or spending way too much.

While many bikes sold for sport, such mountain bikes are not really suitable for road biking in most cities. They tend to lack the amenities that are taken for granted with getting a bike in Europe. Commuter bicycles are made with softer, rounded tires that are suited for hugging roads rather than hilltops. They are also usually equipped with bells, lights, kickstands, baskets, a chain guard and fenders.

Making sure your bike isn’t stolen is also very important. Cars may come with locks, but it’s up to you to keep your ride safe when you’re out on biking trips. Though it is far more common now to see racks to chain your bike to than it was even a few years ago, many places are more interested in creating parking spots for cars.

Assuming you can find a reasonably safe place, be sure you invest in a good lock. While there will still be a few determined people that can get through the best locks, if you can’t take your bike in with you somewhere, you can at least be reasonably certain that most people won’t bother a bike locked up in plain sight.

Commuter Biking and Your Road Rules

Learning the rules of the road are also part of safe commuter biking. While you certainly are entitled to a whole lane, and you don’t have to cling to the side whenever a car comes up behind you, it is also required that you signal and ride on the street. Sidewalks are actually more dangerous places for bikes, especially now that more and more people are out walking. You may not ride your bike when drunk, either.

While this hasn’t been very safe in recent years, many municipalities are putting in bike trails and bike lanes that make it much safer to get around, though it is still very important road biking not claim your life. It’s still more dangerous to get in a car and drive around, but you should always be on the lookout for low-traffic routes. While they may not be the shortest route between points, such side street biking adventures are far safer and nicer to enjoy.

In some cities you’ll need to have a helmet. It’s also often required and always a good idea to have lights. This should include a flashing LED lamp that you can clip to what ever is on your back end and most visible. You will probably want to invest in a lamp that will actually light the way for you, especially if you live in a suburban area with less light density.

Biking is not only a great way to save money on your transport, but you can also chuck your membership to the gym. When you get in the habit of making regular biking trips to work and entertainment, you’ll be getting a good workout in, too. You’ll have a chance to enjoy the seasons, especially if you invest in some good clothes to keep inclement weather off. An old biking maxim in milder parts of the country is, “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothes.” Both wool and synthetics are appropriate.

Bike maintenance involves keeping the chain lubricated and dealing with the occasional flat tire. With all the money you’ll be saving on gas, auto maintenance and insurance, you’ll be able to pay someone in your local area a modest fee to do the maintenance for you on a regular schedule.

Many people combine a bus pass with biking when they decide to give up the car. However, you don’t have to give up your car to enjoy the considerable savings that using a bike can offer you when the price of gas closes in on $5/gal ($1.30/L).

Biking is also a good choice for families that want to get out and get some exercise in the neighborhood. You can use this as an excuse to patronize the local economy, visiting nearby restaurants and getting groceries from the local co-op or farmers’ market.

Other related modes of transport include skateboarding, ride sharing, car sharing and using highly efficient vehicles. Scooters, motorcycles and hyper-efficient smart cars are all becoming increasingly popular options for saving on transport costs. But, few are as elegant and problem-free as the biking.

What Do Bike Tours Include?

With so many people participating in bike riding, it is only natural that bike tours would become a booming business. These bike tours let people vacation and incorporate a sport that they enjoy. Bike tours can be found around the world and are a great way to see the sites as well as enjoy a relaxing vacation.

Some Bike Tours Locations

It appears that for any region of the country, bike tours can be found. From the East coast to the West, there are plenty of companies that offer fabulous bike tours. One of the quickest ways to search for bike tours is to go on-line and do a search. There are many to choose from, so it may be a good idea to start with an area in mind. You may also want to consider if you would like to incorporate camping into your bike tour adventure.

Some of the bike tours have camping amenities whiles others stay at hotels. It is another decision that is a personnel choice.

Some bike tours take vacationers through the Florida Keys. This tour lasts seven days and the riders go anywhere from 29 miles to 50 in a day. There are some meals included and they do stay at local hotels.

Some of the bike tours have other sporting packages included. These may include whitewater rafting, fishing, rock climbing or many other choices. Again, these are offered in specific locations, so each tour needs to be looked at for its individual differences.

The cost of course, is going to vary greatly from one type of adventure to another. Depending on the amenities included and the other sports that are offered, the price will change.

There are also bike tours offered in other countries around the world. These types of tours can allow for the biker to experience another country and its people. Many of the tours in other countries also offer meals and the option to stay at hotels.

Another thing to consider is the time of year that you will be going on vacation. Some of these bike tours are only offered during specific months, so it is important to plan your trip accordingly.

Taking a vacation that allows you to enjoy both biking and traveling through a new area is truly great way to have a vacation that is unique and special. By arranging a tour, a person can enjoy getting some exercise with the combined enjoyment of traveling and learning about a new area.

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