By Thomas Henson Jr.

Do you bike to work? Most cyclists I know would like to commute by bicycle. You know the reasons: good for your health, more time on the bike, better for the environment. But if you probe this topic, you’re likely to hear the word except a lot, as in “I would cycle to work, except….” How many of these have crossed your mind?

I would bike to work more often, except…

1. I live too far away from the office. That’s a tough one to argue against. But what about a partial commute? Some cyclists drive partway to the office, park, and bike the remaining distance. Check the route to work for a convenient place to make the switch. This means scoping out a parking lot that won’t ticket or tow—train stations, bus stations, and large shopping malls are usually safe, but ask so you aren’t blindsided by a tow trap.

2. I get too sweaty. Some people can bike 20 miles and barely glow, while others look drenched after 15 minutes. To battle dampness and smell:

  • Take 10 minutes to cool down before changing, otherwise you might sweat through your clean clothes, too.
  • If there is a gym near the office, ask about a “shower-only” membership. Or, even better, join the gym and workout on the days you don’t cycle to work.
  • Dry your skin with a small cloth or paper towels. If you bring your own washcloth, be sure to also bring a plastic bag to store it in for the ride home.
  • Wipe down with unscented baby wipes, or wipes with a delicate fragrance (citrus or peppermint tend to be mild and well tolerated by coworkers).
  • Avoid body sprays or perfume—the heat of your body will amplify the scent, which can annoy or even induce allergic reactions in coworkers in a close office situation.
  • To minimize stink, be sure to shower before the morning ride, apply an antiperspirant, and wear clean bike clothes.
  • Use mudguards (i.e., fenders) to keep water and mud from splashing up and getting you even messier than you would have been.

3. My hair gets messed up. I understand. I’ve had “helmet hair” before. Whatever you do, don’t let this be an excuse to not wear a helmet—the safety of your head and brain is way more important than your hairstyle. However, there are a few tips I’ve picked up for both men and women:

  • Long hair travels best in a loose braid. That keeps your hair in place during the ride, and offers the most styling flexibility once you get to work.
  • For very hot, sweaty days, wipe down your hair with wet cloth, then comb. If your hair is long, pull back into a tight ponytail. Dab around the hairline with witch hazel—it’s a natural astringent, so it will remove excess oils while helping to cool you down.
  • Try a dry shampoo. These products come in either powder or spray-on forms, and are available in just about every supermarket and pharmacy. Sprinkle or spray onto the roots of your hair, massage it through for a minute or so, then brush it out. It will help remove sweat and oils, and give your hair more volume.

4. I need to wear nice clothes/I have too much to carry to the office. Lots of folks commute to work by bike. How do they do it?

  • Drive to work on Monday, and bring all the fresh clothes you’ll need for the week. Bring the dirty clothes home at the end of the day. That minimizes the amount of gear you’ll have to cart in daily.
  • If you don’t have enough storage in the office for a week-long wardrobe, pack daily clothing into panniers—saddlebags—and bike them in as needed. (Backpacks are also a possibility, but they tend to make people sweatier.) Rolling clothes, instead of folding them, will help avoid creases.
  • Look for wrinkle-free clothing from manufacturers (L.L. Bean and Brooks Brothers both have wrinkle-free lines).

 5. My bike can’t carry all that stuff! No worries—they make cargo bikes specifically for cycling commuters. Cargo bikes have an extra long wheelbase, and have accessory options like a fixed rear rack for large panniers, trailers, sidecars, and front or rear crates or bins. This is the workhorse bike, not the thoroughbred—it’s functional, not pretty.

6. It’s not safe to park my bike outdoors. This can be a real concern—bike theft happens everywhere, and there is no such thing as a totally hack-proof lock.

But don’t overlook another possibility: In-office storage. My law firm promotes healthy living, so if employees were to approach me about cycling to work, I would do everything possible to accommodate their needs, including finding bike storage in a safe place. Talk with your office manager or supervisor to see if there’s an unused office or other out-of-the-way place to park for the day.

# # #

Thomas Henson Jr. is an avid cyclist, and finds much happiness in bike rides with his family and friends.  He leads the complex injury litigation department of HensonFuerst Attorneys. He can be contacted at ThomasHenson@lawmed.com.