It is never anyone’s best idea to sit in traffic on their way to work every day, besides it is not suitable for your health. According to research, individuals who maintain sedentary behavior over time have the highest risk of mortality and other adverse health effects such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high BMI, and several cancers. Sedentary behavior includes lack of exercise and sitting in cars, in front of the television or computer for long periods of time. So, one of the best things that you can do is save yourself the extra sitting hours and traffic aggravation and consider a bike commute to work. Read on to learn what to wear for your cycling commute.
Cycling to work has numerous advantages. Turning physical activity into your daily normal routine is an easy way to meet your physical activity requirements. Physically active commutes are, also, associated with higher measures of physical health, positive affect, and overall well-being. Additionally, you will get the chance to save more money and help the environment.
What to Wear When Commuting on a Bike
One of the most common questions that you will be asking yourself after deciding to commute to work is what to wear. Well, the answer will be determined by various factors like the weather, the formality of what you wear to work, as well as the distance of the commute.
You will need to consider something that will make you feel comfortable, especially if you wear a suit to work and don’t want to cycle in it. The clothes you will wear will make a significant difference in how fun and enjoyable your commute to work can be.
Casual Clothes
The chances are that you don’t own any cycling-specific clothes, mainly if it is your first time commuting by bike. However, it is essential to be sure that you will stick to this routine before deciding to invest in cycling clothes.
You should try to wear light attires that you don’t mind getting wet or dirty. It would be best if you also considered wearing clothing that is a bit reflective to keep yourself safe and noticeable. Even though most people cycle to work during the day, it is mainly recommended to get your bike some lights along with reflectors, to improve visibility while riding under difficult conditions.
If your commute is super short, you don’t need to worry about the clothes to wear. You are free to wear what you like as long as you practice sweat-free bike riding methods. A little sweat shouldn’t worry you as it indicates that you are benefiting from the physical activity. Just use your common sense, and you will be fine.
It is also important to note that as much as cycling can be helpful to your health and skin; long commutes can make your skin prone to damages. It is therefore advisable to invest in the best skincare products like Aesop to protect your skin.
Cycling to Work in a Suit
If you want to arrive at work office-ready, you can choose to cycle to work in your suit. As much as suits are regarded as formal wear, they are perfect for short commutes. If you will be cycling in your suit, it is recommended that you invest in other accessories like pannier bags and trouser straps. The following are some tips to help you get a smooth ride from home to work.
- Always wear your suit when riding for short distances.
- Pick a bike with a step-through frame to lessen the stress that can be put on your suit, and this will help prevent your suit from splitting.
- Get yourself some trouser straps to keep them from being caught in the bike chains.
- Nowadays, backpacks are not suitable for cycling since the straps can leave you with sweat patches on your shoulders and back, so consider investing in a pannier bag.
- Invest in a differently shaped helmet to keep yourself from sweating too much.
If you don’t have a place to shower at work or you don’t have an extra hour to freshen up, don’t race to work. This only increases your chances of sweating into your clothing. Besides, you will be left with little to no time to react to pedestrians and traffic, so slowing down will help you be safe. Once you get to work, you can head straight to your office and start your day.
Cycling During Summer
After cycling to work in the cold months, you should know what to wear for your cycling commute during the Summer. One thing to consider is that the change in weather can be a reward in itself. You are now free to leave your winter coat at home, put on some cycling shorts, and feel the sun while commuting to work.
Light Clothing
The higher temperatures in summer mean that you will be sweating a lot. It is not a big problem as you will be showering and changing at work. However, it can be hectic if you are riding to work in the clothes you will be wearing the entire day.
The good news is that there are things you can do to make yourself comfortable. You can slow down, wear light and loose clothing, and instead of putting your luggage on your back, put it on your bike. Also, you might be a little sweatier after this, so make sure you have extra clothes in your bag. That way, you will have something to change into after freshening up at work.
Helmet
Helmets have been found to provide equal levels of protection for crashes involving motor vehicles (69%) and other causes (68%). Plus, they reduce injuries to the upper and mid facial areas by 65%.
Helmets must be worn when cycling at any time of the year. It’s important to get a high-quality helmet. For instance, the MIPS road helmet is lightweight and slick but powerful, intended to reduce unexpected impacts to the head and ensure safety.
Sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses will protect your eyes from the damaging UV rays of the sun. Besides, there are specific glasses that are designed for cycling. During summer, something can fly into your eyes which can be very painful, and when you close your eyes, you will be putting yourself as well as other road users in great danger. Therefore, eyeglasses will also help protect your eyes from wind-blown debris.
Sunscreen
Unless you are a worker who commutes to work in the middle of the day, the harsh summer sun is not a big problem for you. However, the case is quite different if you will be going for a long commute to work on your bike.
Your skin starts to burn due to the fact that you are also producing your own cool breeze. Protect your skin by applying organic sunscreen with a high SPF on your thighs, nose, back of the neck, cheeks, arms, and the tips of your ears. Besides, you can also wear a bandana under your helmet to give yourself better cooling in intense heat.
Cycling to Work During Winter
Commuting to work in winter can feel like an overwhelming thing, especially if you are a first-timer. However, winter means that you should wear clothes that will offer you maximum protection from the cold weather as well as road dangers. So getting the right gear for cycling during winter is an essential thing. Start with the headgear.
Helmet
Helmets, during winter, play a vital role in keeping your head warm; so, consider wearing a beanie, thermal headband, or a bobble hat under the helmet. When the weather is rainy or snowing, consider putting on a brim that will protect your eyes. Also, a scarf or a neck tube will help prevent your casual coat from dipping air. Never use a coat’s hood if it interferes with your vision.
Waterproof Jacket
Try getting a winter coat that is insulated and if you cannot get this, try investing in a waterproof jacket. Start by wearing a thermal vest, a shirt, and lastly, a waterproof jacket.
Gloves
Having any gloves on during winter is better than none. Also, wind can easily penetrate through a woolen or polyester glove, so consider investing in insulated or waterproof gloves.
Bib Tights
This is another essential attire for winter cycling. It will help you keep warm by fitting well and protecting your lower back from the wind chill. When it is snowy or raining, consider wearing waterproof trousers or even thermal cycling pants.
Boots
When cycling during winter, your legs don’t flex, as usual, so they tend to get really cold, especially when they get sprinkled with water from the bike wheels. Boots are usually the best option since they are big enough to hold thermal socks that tend to be thicker without compressing your feet. It is also a good idea to invest in waterproof socks, walker’s gaiters, or cycling overshoes.
The Bottom Line
The best part about a bike commute to work is that cycling is a great outdoor workout activity with numerous health benefits. Cycling can prevent mental stress, boost your muscle strength and heart health, and lower your risk of cancer and diabetes. All you need to do is start with the fundamentals. Get a helmet, lights, get your bike ready for daily commutes, and ensure you plan your route to and from work.
The above tips described everything you need to know about how to dress for your cycling commute. There is no single best way to dress when commuting to work by bike. The proper attire is determined by various factors like the length of your commute, weather, and personal preference. However, understanding the basic policies of how to dress when cycling to work will significantly help you make the right decisions and will go a long way in helping you get to work safe, clean, and sweat-free.
To A Fitter Healthier You,
The Fitness Wellness Mentor
