Commuting to work is a no-brainer: you get to combine travel with a workout, and it’s cheaper than pretty much any form of public transport – as well as being quicker. However, if you’re new to cycling, it can be daunting – the fear of cycling amongst traffic can put some people off, as can road obstacles, and the Great British weather.
Fear of these factors absolutely doesn’t need to stop you riding – you just need to know what to be on the lookout for, and how to deal with situations that may arise. Here are some of the hazards you need to be aware of, and most importantly, how to deal with them…
Potholes
Depending on your commuter bike of choice, it’s a good idea to avoid potholes, especially if you don’t have any front suspension, as most riders don’t.
Potholes can be a hazard for a number of reasons. If you have no suspension, and skinny tires, they can easily throw you off balance and cause you to wobble, and of course repeatedly riding through potholes can cause damage and excessive wear to your wheels and rims.
When potholes are full of rain water, they are even more of a hazard for cyclists because you can’t see what objects and dangers may be lurking beneath, so do be extra careful in wet weather.
Though less common, tram lines are another annoying hazard – there might not be many in your area, but if there are check out this advice from cyclocross pro Helen Wyman.