The power of healthy habits awaits…
Biking to work might seem daunting at first. But as you get used to it, you find yourself developing some pretty awesome habits because of your daily rides.
If you’re thinking of getting into biking, get ready to start forming these healthy habits.
1- Checking the weather
Bikers could teach the Boy Scouts some lessons about preparedness. By the time we leave home in the morning, we know the whole day’s weather. Because being on a bike in all weather is wonderful, but being on a bike dressed for the wrong weather sucks.
2- Appreciating good drivers
You know who you are. Well, we do too, and we think you’re the best. You leave 3 feet to the right of your car when you pass? Thank you, sir! You always use turn signals? I appreciate you, ma’am! You stopped for me at a crosswalk, even though you don’t have a stop sign? Seriously, you are my favorite person ever. Go buy yourself a latte - you deserve it.
3- Making friends
Want to meet new people? Go biking in the rain and step into a coffee shop after. Commiserating about the rotten conditions is the best icebreaker on the planet.
Cyclists also have lovable tendency to wave to each other and yell things like “Have a nice ride!” when passing each other on lonely streets. Maybe it’s the endorphins.
4- Eating breakfast
Everyone knows it’s healthy to eat breakfast. Do we do it every day? Of course not, especially if we’re rushing off to work. But a morning bike is a workout, even if it’s a short one, and you don’t get a good workout if you haven’t eaten first. You’ll find yourself waking up earlier to get the calories in - and that’s a good, healthy thing.
5- Developing Tetris-style packing skills
Backpacks, panniers, baskets, coat pockets … you don’t realize how much stuff you need until you try to carry it all on a bike. Complaining about how you can’t fit enough stuff in your car? Bike for a few weeks and get back to that car - it’ll look like a mansion with 3 walk-in closets.
6 - Helping your community
Cyclists directly experience things that make city streets unpleasant, like potholes and broken glass. So we care a little more about fixing them. Take up cycling and you might find yourself going to community meetings, volunteering with neighborhood cleanup crews, or at least being more conscious of getting trash into the trash can.
7- Taking good care of your bike
Recreational and sport cyclists love their bikes. But we take a whole different level of care when a flat tire means being a half-hour late to work. Full-time commuters also tend to justify the costs of extra parts and tune-ups by comparing them to gas prices.
8- Exploring your city
Bike commuters never have to worry about finding our way home after the subway shuts down. We wander down side streets, head into the nooks and crannies of our cities, and leave for home exactly when we want to. No limits, no route restrictions, no parking problems. We know every coffee shop and cool hidden park, everywhere.
9- Theft-proofing your ride
If you’re staying at grandma’s house on the Cape, you can probably get away with a rope lock. Got a 9 to 5 in Boston? We know better. Our beloved bikes have ropes, chains, seatpost locks, theft-proof lights … all anchored with the strongest U-bolts money can buy. Bike thieves are sneaky bastards and we like making them sad.