So you’re thinking about ditching the car for the saddle? Here are a handful of tips to help you commute to and from work confidently and safely.

Commuting to work by bike has many positive benefits. Not only for the environment, but for your physical and mental well-being. Ditch the mundane commute filled with traffic and delays and enjoy uplifting bike rides to and from work. We have collated a bunch of useful tips to help you enjoy your daily commute.

Pre-ride checks: 

Before cycling to work, be sure to check the following:

  • Make sure nothing is loose (check all bolts, pedals, handlebars, saddle etc are secure)
  • Tyres are pumped to the correct PSI (recommended PSI can be found on the tyre or in the owner's manual).
  • Brakes are responsive (spin the wheel to test if they are working correctly).
  • Check the bike chain has been cleaned and regularly lubed with oil. Check chain ring for missing or worn teeth.
close up image of Giant's recon head light

Gear up

Another commuting tip is that we always recommend wearing a helmet. Liv’s Relay and Path MIPS helmets are great options for bike commuters. You can learn more about MIPS technology at mipsprotection.com.

See and be seen on the road with a set of bright front and rear lights, opt for a set with a powerful light output, making sure they are fully charged. Installing the provided reflectors to your bike will help others see you on the road.

image of a woman getting ready to ride her Liv commuter bicycle

Wear the correct clothing

Comfort is key, wear clothes that won’t hinder your journey. Check the forecast beforehand, if rain is on the horizon wear your waterproofs, or if the temperature is due to drop pack an extra layer. If you can, leave items, such as work clothes, bike locks and shoes at work so you’re not burdened with heavy items each day.

Know your cycle route

Before heading out, it’s important to get to grips with your route to work so you can better understand the best way to get from A to B. Practice your cycle commute to get a better understanding of your journey and how long it will take you. A GPS computer or even a phone mapping app can help identify the most suitable cycling route.

hand signals cycling

Stay to the left

When riding with traffic, stay to the left of the lane. If the lane is too narrow for a driver to pass safely, ride more to the centre of the lane. If visibility is blocked because of curving roads, make yourself more visible by riding to the centre of the lane. As previously mentioned, ride with a set of bike lights even during daylight for better visibility.

If you require further support, please feel free to contact your local Liv retailer or contact our helpful rider support team. We hope you have an awesome time commuting. For more guidance, head over to guides.