/r/bikecommuting

Photograph via snooOG

Sustainably commuting by bicycle.

For those who broke free from the traffic gridlock and let their legs carry them.

Ask questions, share stories, give advice, and let others know how fun bicycle commuting can be!


Rules:

  • Be kind. We're all trying to get somewhere, man.
  • Be informative, but don't hate people for correcting you. That's how you learn.
  • Please, don't use memes here, except as a reply within a thread.
  • Do not advocate violence—yes, we know, people suck, but hitting them with u-locks won't fix it.
  • We're supposed to be an open, welcoming sub, and treating others like crap goes completely against that.
  • Don't argue. There's a difference between disagreement and argument, however.
  • If you post a link to something, if at all possible, post the main take away from the link (for example, a particularly striking statistic). This will make it easier for everyone to follow the conversation, especially on mobile devices.
  • If linking to your blog you must have either contributed to the subreddit in a significant way (through comments and other submissions) or submit as a self post with commentary that will spark discussion.
  • No Kickstarter links. Links to an article or discussion about the Kickstarter is fine.

Resources:

Safety:

Legal:

Equipment and Gear for Beginners:

Related:

/r/bikecommuting

203,465 Subscribers

17

Meanwhile on the Kansas side of Kansas City

Going to be long how ever many months takes to melt.. there’s one more past this. If I was younger might be fun, now just sounds painful.

5 Comments
2025/01/16
22:13 UTC

21

Night commute :D

3 Comments
2025/01/16
21:20 UTC

1

Thinkmg of getting a foldable electric bike for commuting

So I’m thinking of getting a foldable electric bike for commuting to work. When I stay at my gf it’s about a 40min drive as the traffic is horrendous and I see many bikes go by my and I think why don’t I cycle to work. I want a foldable one just so it’s not in the way and I can put it in my car when I drive home. I want an electric one just so I don’t get to work sweaty. I’d still have to use my car when commuting from my own house as it’s too far and i have to go the motorway. Is it worth buying tho just for commuting if I was to still pay for my car? The one I’m looking at is https://uk.fiido.com/products/fiido-d3-pro-mini-electric-bike?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAqHCRCDfH48f14bjcFe70Rau1Z6sx&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-aK8BhCDARIsAL_-H9mH88f5xdZLWSbeyQaGNsvdXDHKm2lXFrGN2N97cCEO-tPGl8QU8PEaAhSFEALw_wcB

3 Comments
2025/01/16
18:30 UTC

30

What could your Neighborhood do to improve bike commuting?

I posted a year ago about what an employer could do. What do you think a neighborhood association or community could do? Be mindful that protected bike lanes cost $$$

Things I’m thinking of

  • signage for bike way finding
  • dedicated multi use roads (on neighborhood streets , indicated by signage?
  • bike amenities at neighborhood parks

Does your city or neighborhood do any interesting / different to promote cycling/commuting?

75 Comments
2025/01/16
20:29 UTC

1

Alternatives to Shimano CN-NX10 chain

Can't get the Shimano CN-NX10 chain for Nexus 3 groupset. So I tried using a regular 1 speed chain but gets worn in a couple of weeks and gets loose when hitting potholes or small curbs. Any recomendations on other models that can work fine with the rest of the set?

1 Comment
2025/01/16
15:54 UTC

30

Oldest Daily Commuter?

https://preview.redd.it/ihbyx4c3bdde1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6fd7aefe2d20a68fd18a0f4f761b62bff741675

Just wondering if anybody else rides an old bike.

This is a 1952 Hetchins Experto Crede fitted with a mix of components.

19 Comments
2025/01/16
14:44 UTC

1

Are there any outdoor bike rack options that don’t need to be drilled into the ground that are safe?

1 Comment
2025/01/16
12:43 UTC

18

Still going strong!

For context, I am in my late 30's and been back on the bike for about 4 years after a 15 year hiatus (what we think our parents made us do as a kid sometimes turns out to be something we really do love and wish we never gave up).

Started working on cold weather gear last winter and haven't looked back. Only have the one bike and it barely fits 28's and no fenders so I don't ride in anything but dry weather right now. Love my set up, feel safe as can be on main roads and back roads in Western North Carolina. Only 5mi to work but it can be up to 15 miles home some days!!!

Today was a calm 17°F, looking forward to the looks on my coworkers faces when it drops down to 12°F next week!!!

3 Comments
2025/01/16
11:44 UTC

1

MTB modified to a commuter or Classic/Vintage Bike? (with photos)

Hey guys, I'm planning on building/having a bike mainly for commuting with classic/vintage looks and I'm stuck between 2 choices. Option 1 is my modified hardtail MTB and the other is a 2nd hand classic style bike. The blue color and wanting a classic/vintage bike style is to match my nutshell helmet and it's blue color.

Option 1 will cost more since I have to buy the racks and repaint some parts. But turned out good when I edited it, repainting the frame to blue color, saddle and grips to leather color, and the seatpost,handlebar,crankset,and stem to a metallic silver color.

Option 2 will be bought by selling the unmodified MTB for more than the classic bike's selling price., which will give me extra money. Also the racks are already included and I don't have to worry about repainting yet because despite the color difference with the helmet, the classic look of the bike already matches my nutshell helmet. (the bike's color is actually white and not blue)

I'm leaning towards the classic bike but I was surprised how good the modified MTB turned out when I edited it to see how it would look which is why I'm confused now.

Let me know what you think guys, please don't mind the dirty edit as I only wanted to see how they would look.

(the brakes may or may not matter but I just included them in the photos' captions because I forgot to add them on the MTB edit)

Thank you!

option 1 MTB disc brakes

option 2 classic/vintage rim brakes

helmet being mentioned

0 Comments
2025/01/16
10:45 UTC

2

Winter gear?

What do y'all cold weather commuters use for snow/ice tires, bitter cold, wind chill? Layers? What do you do with your layers when you have to strip a few when you get too hot?

18 Comments
2025/01/16
09:52 UTC

1

Headlight choice/charging

I commute year round in Milwaukee and use a Lezyne 1600XXL headlight with 'smart connect' that wirelessly turns on my back light. I love both lights. They can be adjusted through a phone app. The head light has great settings for day or night road riding, and also insane brightness for the trails at night. My only complaint is even the new ones still use micro USB to charge. Dude! Everything else I own uses a USBC fast charger. Otherwise they're perfect. Best lights I've ever used.

0 Comments
2025/01/16
09:43 UTC

16

Getting back in the saddle after loss of confidence

So in November, after 10 months cycling 10 miles a day without incident, I had two falls in quick succession. First one was pretty minor (though I still have a shoulder injury lingering from it) but the second really shook me up, I slipped on black ice and landed face first on the tarmac: broke my nose, really badly hurt my knee to the point I couldn't get back on the bike and had to take an uber home.

And since then I've only managed to get on my bike a handful of times. Public transport is costing me a lot and is inconvenient. When I'm on the bike I feel scared and am constantly clutching my brakes, and making myself get on it is a massive battle - I make excuses all the time (too frosty, too wet, too tired).

Has anyone else had this loss of confidence and managed to get back to normal from it? Because it's starting to feel like a big problem.

13 Comments
2025/01/16
08:27 UTC

0

Convince me to get your bike lock brand

Just got a shiny new bike I'm super excited about and want to get a lock I can trust. Why do you think your lock systems is the best? Currently looking at the TiGr, Pinhead, and Kryptonite.

12 Comments
2025/01/16
05:04 UTC

217

Tipping my helmet to the Portlander who dusted my class 3 e-bike

For context Portland has 6mph winds with nearly constant gusts up to 16mph and we were biking uphill head on into the wind for at least 5 miles and this guy was decked out in winter gear with fully packed panniers and he was casually riding at 23mph on a standard bike.

Once he noticed me behind him he just stood up, (didn’t seem to change gears) and started absolutely dusting me. He had to be going at least 27mph at some points. Even going all out on my e-bike the only time I could catch up to him was when he got caught behind a car and as soon as it turned off he would get to stomping and maintain a two block lead.

I don’t know who you are but I wanna know what you do to just casually maintain that speed.

54 Comments
2025/01/16
02:51 UTC

1

Salty Roads

This is my first winter commuting by bike. I’ve heard that you’re supposed to hose off the chain and gear after riding in the salt. I live in a rental and the landlord turns the hose bib off in the winter so hosing it off really isn’t an option. How much damage is the salt really doing, and is there something else I can do to clean it off?

I have a steel frame surly which has me concerned about rust. I know this question has been asked but I’ve seen a wide array of conflicting answers.

11 Comments
2025/01/16
01:47 UTC

13

Carrying gym clothes when commuting sucks

I’m exploring a backpack design to help people like me stick to their fitness routine, especially since I bike to school every day. I want to carry my gym clothes with my school essentials without the need for extra bags - it's not very comfy on the bike. I'm thinking about a removable pouch specifically for workout clothes and shoes, so you don’t have to overstuff your main bag or bring another duffle. Would anyone else use this? Are there other ways people have solved this?

39 Comments
2025/01/15
23:45 UTC

4

Air quality

Do any of you wear a mask to protect you from car exhaust, dust, wildfire smoke, low air quality, etc? Any recommendations?

8 Comments
2025/01/16
01:52 UTC

9

Longer bike commute

Hi all. I'm I bit worried because I want to continue bike commuting but my commute is about to grow from 2 miles each way to about 7. I love riding but I'm worried that I won't do it every day at that distance.

I'm in Buffalo NY and I do my current commute daily in all weather. I don't know if I could handle all weather at 7 miles though. Even light snow really slows the ride down.

I’m also concerned about the time. Google maps estimates about 42 minutes. Ideally I’d like to keep that below 30. Normally I’m able to shave off a good chunk of time off my travel time in rides of this distance but I’m worried fatigue will get me. This of course also would make snow fall days more difficult.

Are my expectations reasonable?

47 Comments
2025/01/16
01:04 UTC

8

Any dashcam (action cameras, purpose-built) recommendations?

I have been looking around on my local marketplaces and Aliexpress, but all they have to offer are either automobile dashcams or straight up junk. So, is it of any use to maybe use an action camera like some sort of a gopro or a HDR-AS300? I will tell that something like a cycliq is way out of my league both because of the price and shipping. Oh, and I want something that mounts on the handlebars, not helmet (I don't use one).

Edit: As I see by some comments, a lot of you recommend the cycliq, and it's wonderful that you like it (hell, if i could, I would have also probably got one) but unfortunately that is not a possibility for me.

33 Comments
2025/01/15
15:43 UTC

8

Ebike mileage

Before setting off this morning for the commute checked the overall milage on my trusty steed. Was wondering how many miles have people managed to clock up on their ebike motors. Mine is a giant sync drive pro which is essentially a mid drive Yamaha. At £700-£1000 to replace hopefully it will be a few more yet or man maths says it's a new bike!

7 Comments
2025/01/15
10:43 UTC

97

Sunset Commute

2 Comments
2025/01/15
13:09 UTC

10

Layering up this morning. 17F

This morning it's 17°F with 10 MPH headwind

29 Comments
2025/01/15
10:49 UTC

9

Little wins

So after consuming my body weight in chocolate and turkey over Christmas (and retaining about 10kg of it) I got back on the bike today.

I had 2 weeks off over Christmas then couldn't ride in for another 2 weeks. Add to that the seasonal depression kicking my ar*e and I had to really force myself today. However, I was rewarded with a fabulous sunrise through the clouds. 😎

Sometimes it's the little things that keep you motivated.

1 Comment
2025/01/15
10:20 UTC

8

MTB turned commuter advice

I bought this 26" Scott (unknown model) MTB with a Bafang motor and half decent specs - 1x9 Deore groupset, Lekkie ring 42T, Suntour fork with lockout and hydraulic brakes.

So far, I installed a Brooks saddle, changed the knobby 2.5 tires to Continental Contact 1.5 slick tires and installed bar extensions (not great with gloves in winter) from my parts bin.

What can I do to make it more commuter friendly and comforting? Any suggestions for handlebar and pedals, maybe change to a rigid fork? I'm also thinking of adding a rear pannier with a seat for my toddler which will also double as a luggage rack.

7 Comments
2025/01/15
02:46 UTC

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