7 Essential Tips for New Commuters Choosing the Best Bike Route
I’ve been cycling for years; yet one challenge has always remained constant: finding the best bike route. I found when I first started biking, I would follow the directions of the map tool to a T and that was my worst mistake. The quality of the bike route, amount of bike lanes, the safety of the route, and the distance between the two points are just a few things to think about.
My own six-mile commute to work seemed limited at first, I usually didn’t use mapping but tried different commuter bike routes every-time. Now when I did end up using Google Maps, they often led me to not just what seemed longer but very consequential to actually biking in the situation. After weeks of trial and error, taking different streets each day, I found myself growing increasingly frustrated with the process.
To plan my safe bike commute was not the easiest thing, but no matter if easy or hard it’s a possibility for everyone. I want to share the way I was able to get around my city in a way I never would or could have thought of 2 years ago.
Understanding the Basics of Bike Route Planning Safety
When planning your bike commute, safety should be your primary consideration. Start by researching local bike infrastructure, including dedicated bike lanes, shared paths, and bike-friendly streets. Many cities now offer interactive maps showing designated cycling routes and infrastructure. There’s a dashed line for share the road infrastructure and solid for separated bike lanes, one of the most important bike safety tips is to when looking on Google Maps find as many solid green lines as possible.
Tools for Finding the Best Bike Routes
Modern technology makes finding commuter bike routes easier than ever. Applications like Google Maps are great to discover routes on the fly, but Strava is also a great way to mark your routes that you’ve been going on for a while. I’ve been trying it recently and it’s had features like tracking bike lanes, traffic patterns, and elevation changes. These tools often include user reviews and real-time updates about road conditions.
Evaluating Different Route Options
Consider these key factors when comparing potential routes:
- Traffic volume and speed limits on different streets
- Presence of dedicated bike lanes or shared paths
- Road surface quality and maintenance
- Intersection safety and signal timing
- Natural barriers and elevation changes
Choosing the Safest Streets
Look for streets with these safety features:
- Protected or buffered bike lanes
- Lower speed limits
- Good visibility
- Well-maintained road surfaces
- Regular bicycle traffic
Testing Your Route
Before committing to a regular commute route:
- Test ride your chosen path on a weekend
- Time your journey during off-peak hours
- Note potential hazards and alternatives
- Consider seasonal changes and weather impacts
Tips for Daily Commuting
Once you’ve established your route:
- Maintain consistent timing for your commute
- Stay alert for changing conditions
- Keep alternative routes in mind for emergencies
- Connect with other bicycle commuters for advice
Making Safety Improvements
Monitor your route regularly for potential safety issues and report problems to local authorities. Join local cycling advocacy groups to support infrastructure improvements and share experiences with other commuters.
Conclusion
Remember, this doesn’t just consider you commuting to work but also commuting to whatever place you need to get. A quick trip to the store, versus a longer-trip to the airport when viable can be done. You just need to make the careful planning and regular consideration of how this is done to make it happen. By using available tools and considering multiple factors, you can create a reliable and secure cycling commute that enhances your daily routine.
