Riding is a solid, safe, fun and low-cost method to get about—it also happens to be useful exercise, too. However, misunderstandings about cycle commuting persist. Here are some I've observed over the years

1. It's too perilous. Yes, there's substantive gamble associated with pedaling. Riders do smash and get knocked by cars. But how perilous is pedaling in comparison with other forms of transportation and with our understanding of the hazard? A less than you might think.

Consider the reckoning of a firm that carrys out safety and failure testing, previously called the Failure Group and now known as Exponent. The firm looked at a selection of activities and determined that the number of deaths per 1million hrs of exposure was 0.26 for pedaling, 0.47 for motoring, 1.53 for living (all causes of death), and 8.80 for motorcycling. That is to say, they discovered that the hazards of pedaling were roughly half that associated with driving and 15% of that associated simply with living.

Sadly, the exact methods Exponent used are secret, and the complete article isn't available to the general public, but beleive us this isn't a fly-by-night cyclists' advocacy organization that's cooking the numbers. As Exponent explains on its website, it has been trusted to scrutinize high-profile misfortunes such as the destruction of the federal building in Oklahoma City.

So, for the effect of discussion, let us assume that Exponents work is an underestimation and consider another detailed study that measures the risks using a sparingly different metric—the count of fatalities per billions of kilometers traveled rather than per hour of activity. The Rutgers University scientists who actioned this review concluded that, per kilometer traveled, riding fatalities are 11 times as great as automobile occupant fatalities. Seems quite poor for cycling until you examine what the same work revealed about walking. Walking fatalities per kilometer traveled were 36 times as great as driving fatalities, suggesting that walking is more than three times as dangerous as biking.

That said, there's always more that cyclists could do to take accountability for our protection. A disturbing 24 percent of fatal bicycle accidents involve an drunken rider. Work shows that cyclists get into lots of smaller accidents that could be prevented. Various articles have shown that the failure to wear lights at night or a helmet significantly increases a biker's risk. Finally, riders starting out have to be really careful about drivers opening doors and making turns, and about pedaling on the pavements.

In the end: It isn't that biking doesn't have danger, but a little perspective is in required, more so when you start to factor in the many health advantages that biking generates.

2. Distance is too great. The cycle may well take too long or take too much effort if you live more than, say, 13 miles from the day job. But consider ways to grow your potential range. Many commuters, for example, use foldable bicycles so they can go some way on a commuter train.

3. Bikes are pricey. Untrue. You should be able to get a new or used bike perfect for simple commuting for below $500. Find a excellent, local bike store with a knowledgeable staff, explain the route and distance of ride you're considering, and they'll help you choose the proper frame and amount of gears you'll require.

If you're just starting out, you may want to hunt for a functional, commuter bicycle with mud guards to protect your clothes, a stand, and a comfy saddle. And, if you're really looking for a comfortable ride, take a look at the new class of “coasting” bicycles that are designed to remind people with worryfree recollections of biking as a kid. They feature pedal brakes—called coaster brakes—instead of hand brakes and an automatic shifter, and although they're not designed for quickness, they're a terrific way to get back into the seat, says Doyne.

4. It is impossible to transport the stuff I require. If this is what you think, you are carrying way more than the normal rider to work or you don't own the proper rucksacl or features on your bicycle. A sturdy basket or touring panniers will mean you can easily carry a computer, work clothes, food, paperwork, a stack of binders, and whatever other bits and bobs you usually carry.

5. There's nowhere to wash. Jeff Peel of the League of American Bicyclists states that lots people are concerned about this, but that there are numerous alternatives beyond simply showing up at the office smelly and sticky. First, check to make sure that your building doesn't have a full bathrooms somewhere. If it doesn't, check close gyms or fitness clubs. Some have shower-only memberships for bike or running commuters.

6. Riding will turn me sterile. This is a charge that has circulated since the mid 1990s, and there's a kernel of fact to it. There is evidence that serious bicycle riders can experience short-lived and maybe long-lasting erectile dysfunction if they cycle many hours on a racing saddle that doesn't fit well. But there are now plenty of saddles with ergonomically designed cutaway slots that take the pressure off the important arteries and nerves. As long as your seat fits properly and you don't ride as much as a professional rider training for the Tour de France, biking is much more apt to reduce your odds of erectile dysfunction than increase them, as cycling will help keep cardiovascular disease—a large cause of erectile dysfunction—away.

About the Author:
The author commutes to the office with his 3 year old child on a Safe-T-Seat, the infant bike carrier and enjoys every minute of it!

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