Even though gas prices have stabilized, there is still great incentive to ride your bike as a means of commuting. Riding a bicycle is a great, frugal way to travel and also improves your health. Remember, your health is your greatest wealth. Having a bunch of money isn't that much fun if you aren't healthy to enjoy it.
If your destination is less than ten miles from your home, it wouldn't take much effort to bicycle as a regular occurrence. Five miles is only twenty minutes of riding and you don't get sweaty enough to negate the cleanliness of your morning shower. I do recommend you wear different biking clothes for the ride (preferably a high visibility color shirt, and your black spandex biking shorts for comfort) and just change clothes in the rest room or a private room when you get to your destination. It's also important to wear stiff, thick soled shoes like my Keen Commuters (which I absolutely love!!) which you can get for a discount with Shoebacca Coupons. Proper shoes will help avoid foot numbness from the road shock, along with biking gloves.
To make this bicycle commuting a healthy habit, it's important to have good solid equipment. Make sure your bicycle is tuned up and lubed, with fully aired tires. Also a strong rack is necessary so you don't have to wear a back pack with your stuff, which just makes you sweaty. Along with proper clothing, shoes, and equipment you need to wear your helmet. My hair is damp in the morning from my shower so when I get to work, I just comb it and it springs to life and looks great. With all the bike and motorcycle helmets I wear, it helps to have permed hair that bounces back from the helmet.
Its also important to make sure you know the rules of the road - ride with the traffic as far to the right as possible - but not on the sidewalk if you can avoid it. Your bike is considered a motor vehicle so make sure you follow all traffic signals at intersections, and give pedestrians the right of way. Signal with your arms to let drivers know you are turning, and use your bike bell to warn people you are coming along.
You will love the fresh air biking allows you to enjoy, get off your phone and get outside and live life.
