Should You Bicycle Commute To Work in Washington?

There are many reasons for Washington employers to encourage bicycle commuting. One of them is that healthy employees are more productive and reduce health insurance costs. Another is that their stress level goes down, as they enjoy the ride to and from work and the savings in gasoline and car maintenance.

Bike commuting isn't possible for everyone, or during the entire year. This doesn't mean it should not be encouraged. Everyone can start using the bicycle for short trips to the store, barber or post office, building up strength and energy in the process.

Washington State residents are lucky to live in a bicycle friendly place. If you plan to or already do commute to work on your bicycle, make sure you prepare yourself to avoid the traps and bicycle crashes that could turn your pleasant ride into a nightmare.

• Arrange secure bicycle storage at work, preferably inside;
• Get light, easy to carry rainproof gear;
• Secure your bike with a tempered steel lock, and remove all accessories that can be stolen;
• Install a rear rack to carry files or a laptop, and make sure the bags are rainproof.
• Attach a small tool box with the basic tools to repair a flat tire or replace a cable;
• Choose adequate clothing for the different seasons and types of weather, carefully selecting the right materials: Lycra, spandex, coolmax, wool, gore-tex or nylon.
• Check your bicycle thoroughly on a regular basis. You don't want to snap a brake cable riding downhill, or see your lights go down at night. Select a number of essential spare parts to carry with you.
• Choose the best route, not the shortest. Try riding different routes and select the ones that are wider, without traffic, and more pleasant, even if they are longer. After all, bicycle commuting should be fun.

At Monro Law Firm, we are dedicated to your safety. If you have been hurt in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, contact one of our attorneys now for a free consultation on your case.