The wind in your face, the hum of chipseal under your tires, and the joyful effort of self-propelled travel—nothing beats riding a bicycle. Learning to ride a bike is one of the first profound memories children make of mastering a skill. And while many of us continue riding a bike throughout our lives, it’s often relegated to leisure and exercise, with most practical trips taken by car. But did you know that your bicycle can also help keep our air clean?
Bicycles effectively emit zero emissions (depending on what you eat before the ride 🙄) compared to most cars, and the impact from manufacturing, distributing, and maintaining bicycles are relatively miniscule as well. You never need to pour fuel into a conventional bicycle, and modern electric bikes have batteries that charge up easily at home. Unlike your car, your bicycle does not generate emissions that contribute to ground-level ozone.
No one likes traffic, and the best way to fight congestion is to not be part of it! Every bicycle on the road can mean one fewer car, taking up much less space and avoiding major roads by traveling on less-traveled roads, bike lanes, and trails.
The best way to incorporate cycling into your life is to replace car trips with bicycle trips whenever it is practical.
Grocery shopping and errands can become a fun adventure on a bike. A backpack can carry a few items, but that will become cumbersome quickly. Look into bags and racks that can be fitted all around your bike. You can also attach a trailer to your rear axle to carry heavier loads. Insider tip: a baby seat can be used to carry a strapped-down bag of groceries.
Think of all the short trips you make: school, the gym, a park, a gathering at a friend’s house, the library, or just getting coffee. Many of those trips are likely only a few miles away and won’t take much longer on a bike than they would in a car. The more miles you put in, the shorter each mile will feel as you get stronger, and the more you’ll want to leave the car at home.
Commuting to work by bike can be trickier, mostly because the clothing that will be most comfortable for riding is likely not up to your workplace dress code. One option is to carefully pack your work clothes and change when you get there. Another is to drive one day a week, bringing a week’s worth of clean work attire, then bike the rest of the days.
"But won’t I be sweaty?” No one wants to be a sweaty mess at work all day, let alone be around someone who is. If your office does not have a locker room with showers, you can get clean in the bathroom with a washcloth, deodorant, and a change of clothes. Alternatively, membership with a nearby gym should give you access to the showers there each morning.
Lastly, consider mixed-mode transportation. Ride a bike for part of your trip and combine that with driving, public transport, and carpooling. For example, pedal your bike to a coworker’s house, carpool with them to the office, then pedal most of the way home and hop on a bus for the last few miles.
Most bicycle safety advice and traffic laws can seem like common sense, but it’s helpful to review TXDOT’s guide. In general, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as someone driving a car, including traffic direction, traffic signals, and undistracted driving. Additionally, local regulations might apply to where and how you can ride, so check with your local government.
Helmets are not required by state law in Texas, but local laws might require some or all riders to wear them. Check your local laws. Of course, it’s always a good idea to protect your skull with a bicycle-specific helmet.
Texas law requires that a bicycle ridden in the dark have a white front light and a red rear light or a reflector. That is a minimum, but anything that makes you more visible to motorists is a good idea.
Bicycles are also a common target of theft, so invest in a quality bike lock and learn to use it effectively. Never leave your bike unlocked when out of arm’s reach, even for a minute.
Bicycles are simple machines, but there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Inspect your bike regularly for wear and improperly adjusted components. Learn how to fix a flat tire on the side of the road. Consult with your local cycling community or bicycle retailer for help if you’re not sure.
