{"id":128015,"date":"2025-09-10T17:01:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T17:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/128015\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T17:01:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T17:01:12","slug":"cycle-to-work-mythbusting-from-worrying-about-the-weather-to-safety-and-security-heres-how-road-cc-readers-conquer-the-commute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/128015\/","title":{"rendered":"Cycle to work mythbusting: from worrying about the weather to safety and security, here’s how road.cc readers conquer the commute"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cycling to and from work can save you money and time, improve your fitness, help the environment and be a lot more rewarding than other modes of transport, but some people have yet to be convinced. We’ve already given you our best tips on everything from getting started cycling to work<\/a>, to saving money<\/a>, and loads more… so, we thought we’d throw it to the floor and\u00a0ask road.cc readers for their tips for overcoming the barriers to cycle commuting too. As usual, you all came up trumps.<\/p>\n

We got far more replies than we could include here (thanks to all of you), so here are some of the highlights.<\/p>\n

This is a big one. People are always citing the weather as a reason not to cycle to work, especially in the UK.<\/p>\n

\"Riding\u201cThere\u2019s nothing like cycling every day to make you realise that it doesn\u2019t rain all the time,\u201d says GMBasix. \u201cAnd I frequently find that weather forecast apps with dark clouds or two raindrops slightly overegg the experience. It doesn\u2019t always end up raining, and the rain you experience is often lighter than you think. If you\u2019re prepared to wear a waterproof jacket and overtrousers, and\/or carry a change of clothes for work (or better still, store them there), the rain will not be a big problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

> How to cycle in the rain<\/a><\/p>\n

samshep says, \u201cI\u2019d add that you don\u2019t need to cycle every day. If it\u2019s really miserable out, use the bus, the train, or drive. There\u2019s no shame in being a fairweather cyclist. Start in May\/June or September when it\u2019s drier and you\u2019ll get into the habit before the darker, colder months (when it rains much less often than people think).\u201d<\/p>\n

\"GalibierGalibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

It will doubtless rain from time to time when you\u2019re commuting \u2013 that\u2019s life! \u2013 but there\u2019s plenty of excellent equipment out there that\u2019ll help you handle it. You\u2019ll need to choose the right waterproof jacket<\/a>. That\u2019s only sensible.\u00a0You might want waterproof cycling trousers<\/a>,\u00a0gloves<\/a> and overshoes<\/a> too.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of excellent waterproof backpacks<\/a> and panniers out there to keep your stuff dry, and there\u2019s a lot of love on the road.cc forum for good old mudguards.<\/p>\n

\"20252025 Pashley Roadfinder – Shimano 105 – rear mudguard and tyre.jpg (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

OnYerBike says, \u201cDefinitely get proper, full-length mudguards. Even if you have the flexibility to avoid riding in the rain, the roads can stay wet after it has stopped, and you will still get covered in spray without mudguards.\u201d<\/p>\n

> Best road bike mudguards<\/a><\/p>\n

Also, it\u2019s wise to have dry clothing to change into, just in case. Like they taught you in the Cubs\/Scouts\/Brownies\/Guides\/whatever: be prepared.<\/p>\n

Global Nomad says, \u201cAlways keep a set of clothes at work, including shoes and underwear. This way, you can always have dry stuff to wear if the infrequent rain catches you, or the heat makes you sweat. The time it takes you to change will still normally mean your overall home-to-desk time is quicker than other forms of commuting.\u201d<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ll be sweaty all day”<\/p>\n

If your workplace provides showers to encourage active travel, happy days. Keep shower gel, a towel, and spare clothing at work and you\u2019re sorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there isn\u2019t a shower, consider a gym membership near the office, as you could do a session before work and shower there,\u201d says Old Ridgeback.<\/p>\n

Another alternative is to take your commute steadily enough that you don\u2019t work up a sweat. This is obviously easier to do on shorter and flatter commutes, and perhaps with the use an e-bike.<\/p>\n

\"Whatmdavidford says, \u201cYou will not necessarily get sweaty. It depends on how enthusiastically you tackle your commute. If you treat it as a time trial, you\u2019ll get sweaty. If you\u2019re prepared to take it in your own time, it\u2019s perfectly possible not to. In really hot weather, you\u2019re going to get sweaty either way, but then you could walk, ride the bus or tube etc.\u201d<\/p>\n

GMBasix advises you to dress appropriately to avoid getting too sweaty as you ride.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a reason cyclists often wear Lycra, and it\u2019s partly that it\u2019s very good at dealing with sweat. Layering according to the weather\/temperature means you don\u2019t have sweat sticking to you; it\u2019s wicked away.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"20252025 Velocio Men’s Merino LUXE Colorblock Jersey.jpg (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you do need to sit all day in the clothes you cycled in, merino wool is often better at avoiding smells than polyester cyclewear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many road.cc forum users suggest a change of clothes once you arrive at work, whether or not you have the opportunity to shower.<\/p>\n

samshep says, \u201cIf you get sweaty, a quick change of clothes can deal with that. Depending on how fastidious you are, if you can get out of sweaty stuff as soon as possible, you can usually manage with a top-up of deodorant or similar.\u201d<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s dangerous”<\/p>\n

Cycling is a lot safer than many people think, and the health benefits… well, where do you start?\u00a0\"Cyclists<\/p>\n

In 2024, for example, research published in the British Medical Journal<\/a> concluded that its findings \u201cprovide direct evidence of the health benefits of active commuting\u201d, with those who cycle to work associated with a 47 per cent lower risk of death and a 24 per cent lower risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the flip side, cycle commuters can be involved in road traffic collisions, but the number of reported cyclist casualties per billion miles cycled in Great Britain\u00a0has been trending downwards for over a decade<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you need to develop your skills, Bikeability<\/a>, the government\u2019s national cycle training programme, is available for teenagers and adults as well as for children,\u00a0and there are various other courses out there<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We also like the book Cyclecraft by John Franklin<\/a>, which is subtitled: The complete guide to safe and enjoyable cycling for adults and children. It\u2019s no longer in print, but you can still find copies online.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"CyclingGlobal Nomad says, \u201cTest different routes to work. Learn where the bus stops are, the fussy junctions and pedestrians. Pay attention to the rhythm of everything around you (including other cyclists) to stay safe. Call out, ring a bell or shout as necessary if someone hasn\u2019t seen you, especially if they have headphones on. Don\u2019t rush.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rendel Harris says, \u201cIf at all possible, avoid school run times in the morning and evening, the two most dangerous half hours on the road, in my opinion.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, get a camera. You don\u2019t have to report people if you don\u2019t want to, but if the worst comes to the worst, having camera evidence to prosecute someone who\u2019s harmed you or to claim on their insurance is really useful.\u201d<\/p>\n

“There\u2019s nowhere to store my bike safely”<\/p>\n

Some employers provide decent bike storage facilities as a means of encouraging active travel, and it\u2019s one of the factors that Cycling UK assesses<\/a>\u00a0when determining Cycle Friendly Employer status.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2025If you leave your bike anywhere in public, you\u2019re going to need a good lock.<\/p>\n

> Cheap vs expensive bike locks: angle grinder tested<\/a><\/p>\n

\"20252025 Bike locks testing Litelok X1 (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

OnYerBike says, \u201cGet an angle grinder-resistant lock. Yes, they are expensive, but definitely worth it in terms of the additional protection they offer. And use it wisely \u2013 lock through the frame and rear wheel. I use a Litelok\u00a0X1 as it\u2019s among the cheapest and lightest angle grinder-resistant options. It doesn\u2019t offer the absolute highest security, but it offers adequate security, and far more than any non-angle grinder-resistant lock.\u201d<\/p>\n

> Read our review of the Litelok X1<\/a><\/p>\n

Many people like a relatively cheap bike for commuting because it\u2019ll be used in all weathers and is less likely to attract the attention of thieves. Plus, of course, it\u2019s cheaper to replace if it does get stolen.<\/p>\n

> How to lock your bike when you\u2019re out and about so it\u2019s there when you come back\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

OldRidgeback says, \u201cUnless you have somewhere secure to lock your bike up at work, then think about using a cheap secondhand bike instead. Just make sure it fits you properly, is functional and in good working order.\u201d<\/p>\n

OnYerBike says, \u201cYou can normally add bicycles to your home contents insurance policy pretty cheaply, which would cover theft (assuming it\u2019s locked with an approved lock). If you\u2019ve got an expensive bike, a dedicated cycle insurance policy is more expensive but typically offers additional cover (eg damage from vandalism or attempted theft).\u201d<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m not fit enough”<\/p>\n

If you live miles from work, fair enough, you\u2019ll require a certain level of fitness to ride there and back every day. If you don\u2019t already have it, you could alternate days of riding with days of taking public transport until you\u2019ve developed that fitness.<\/p>\n

Stef Marazzi suggests a different approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can always drive part of the way and cycle the rest,\u201d he says. \u201cJust find a few safe places where you can leave the car all day for free, and ride in from there. It wasn\u2019t until I started doing this myself that I realised there was a whole secret world of people doing it already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Wesamshep advises starting small and working your way up over time: \u201cI began with a 1.5-mile ride to my local station, then upped it over time to six miles to a slightly further station, before eventually going to 12 miles each way after a couple of cancelled trains.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re riding a short distance across town, chances are that you already have the fitness required, especially if you plan the flattest route possible and take it steady.<\/p>\n

If hills are unavoidable, you could get yourself a bike with ultra-low gears or invest in an e-bike. There are thousands of options.<\/p>\n

Rendel Harris says, \u201cDecide on your pace and stick to it, don\u2019t get suckered into racing others – they could be 30 years younger, only riding a couple of miles, out for a training ride\u2026 I\u2019ve spoiled too many commutes because the ego wouldn\u2019t let me be dropped.\u201d<\/p>\n

“A bike will be expensive”<\/p>\n

Yes, bikes certainly can be expensive, but not always.<\/p>\n

If you want a Colnago Y1Rs like the one Tadej Pogacar rode to victory in the Tour de France, you\u2019re looking at big money, but we\u2019re going out on a limb and saying that your commuting needs are a little different.<\/p>\n

\"Londonroad.cc forum users make it very clear that you don\u2019t need to spend a lot of money on a bike for riding to work.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny old bike will do for starters, don\u2019t go mad,\u201d says Bungle_52, summing up the thoughts of many.<\/p>\n

samshep says, \u201cBe sensible. Don\u2019t feel you have to get skinny wheels and drop handlebars (unless that\u2019s what you like, of course). A \u00a3500 (or less) hybrid will be perfect for commutes of less than 10 miles, be much sturdier and have all the fittings for racks and mudguards.\u201d<\/p>\n

HoldingOn says. \u201cA secondhand bike for very little money will let you try the route without committing too much, or have a look at hire schemes to commit even less.\u201d<\/p>\n

Find out whether your employer has set up a Cycle to Work scheme<\/a> that allows you to save on the cost of a new bike and equipment by paying for it from your pre-tax income.<\/p>\n

Of course, commuting by bike allows you to reduce other transport costs: bus and train fares, fuel, parking fees, and so on. If it allows you to ditch the car entirely, you can make huge savings. Even if you do end up spending a lot on a bike, it\u2019ll probably last you years, and the running costs will be low.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t have the rest of the kit I\u2019ll need”<\/p>\n

What about all the extra kit associated with cycling? What do you need? And will it set you back lots of money?<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need a decent waterproof jacket, good lights, and a strong lock, and there\u2019s a lot of love for mudguards on the road.cc forum too.<\/p>\n

samshep says, \u201cDon\u2019t panic about buying all the right clothing. When you start out, just wear regular sports stuff: shorts\/close-fitting joggers, comfy T-shirt that covers your bum a bit, that sort of thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheap outdoor places like Mountain Warehouse<\/a>\u00a0are good for this. You\u2019ll probably want a cycling-specific waterproof jacket and gloves, but again, big sports\/outdoors retailers are your friend here. As you go on, you\u2019ll work out what is best for you, and upgrade accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bungle_52 says. \u201cGradually evolve your kit as your experience increases. You will know what works for you. I started with a rucksack and then moved to panniers.<\/p>\n

\u201cUse plastic bags to keep stuff dry to start with, and evolve to decent waterproof luggage as you can afford it from the money you have saved.\u201d<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t have time”<\/p>\n

One of the beauties of riding a bike to work is that\u00a0you\u2019re moving forward almost constantly from door to door. You can filter through traffic queues and there\u2019s no waiting around at train stations or bus stops, so your journey might well be quicker by bike.<\/p>\n

Bungle_52 says, \u201cLeave enough time to fix a puncture or have an emergency plan to get picked up. Invest in good puncture-proof tyres once you decide that commuting is for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re into your fitness, you can use your cycle commute for training, so you\u2019re saving time there. Two birds, one stone.<\/p>\n

Rendel Harris says, \u201cIf you\u2019re commuting for training\/exercise, pootle in the morning so you won\u2019t arrive sweaty and tired and blast home in the evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have to blast through parks, towpaths etc at 25mph then you\u2019ve left it too late. Leave a few minutes earlier and ride through slowly so you can enjoy them and let others do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s too difficult to carry the stuff I need for work”<\/p>\n

Yeah, that could be the case if you have a job that requires a lot of equipment, but even if you don\u2019t like carrying something like a laptop in a bag on your back, there are other options, the most obvious being a rack and pannier(s).<\/p>\n

If you need more carrying capacity, there are many cargo bikes out there, both manual and electric. Granted, they won\u2019t work for everyone, but they will for many.<\/p>\n

> “I saved thousands using an electric cargo bike”<\/a><\/p>\n

One other option is to take all the heavy\/bulky equipment and\/or creasable clothing you\u2019re likely to need for a few days via a car or public transport, leave it at work (as long as there\u2019s somewhere to store it) and commute by bike until you need to bring it home again.<\/p>\n

You won’t look back<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not saying that commuting by bike is suitable for everyone in every situation \u2013 that would be unrealistic \u2013 but we are saying it\u2019s the best option for many of us. It can be an intimidating step for many, but the chances are that you won\u2019t look back.<\/p>\n

Pub bike says, \u201cCycle commuting does involve a change in routine and a suitable bike, which might not be the one you currently ride. It took me a few months from when I first decided I was going to cycle to work to actually doing it, but once I had overcome the obstacles, there was no going back to using buses and the Tube, and whether or not I could cycle to work became a dealmaker\/dealbreaker for any new job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any more for any more? Drop them in the comments, and they might become one of the comments that make up this article when we update it next!\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cycling to and from work can save you money and time, improve your fitness, help the environment and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":128016,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-128015","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-cycling","9":"tag-sports","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128015"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128015\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}