Commuting by bike: Shanaze’s top tips and why we all need to be pedalling in same direction

The overwhelming popularity of cycling during lockdown has created a legacy the cycling industry, and, indeed, the entire country, can be proud of.

With millions of people out riding, many for the first time, we are well on track for what the government hailed as ‘the golden age of cycling’.

As many return to the workplace, we hope this new appetite for riding will convert to fewer cars on the road and more people commuting on two wheels. Initiatives such as the government’s Fix your Bike Voucher Scheme and local safe cycling plans should contribute to this increased number of workers cycling to the office.

We asked Insync Bikes brand ambassador Shanaze Reade, Olympic BMX rider and track cyclist, for her tips on how to choose the best commuter bike for you, as well as any advice for those looking to start commuting in the saddle for the first time.

The first step is to consider the journey you will be taking, the terrain you’ll be riding on and whether cycling to work will be your only use for a bike.

A road bike features a lightweight frame, drop handlebars to give a more aerodynamic riding position and thinner tyres. This all adds up to help you nimbly weave through traffic, if that’s going to be the extent of your cycling. If part of your journey will be on public transport, either through necessity or because you don’t feel comfortable cycling the whole distance, then a folding bike could be the one for you – saving space and giving you an easy way of combining two different parts of your journey.

Then there is the hybrid bike, Shanaze’s top tip for those riding to work for the first time. “I always say if someone is unsure what bike to get then get a hybrid bike, because you can use it on the road or off-road, it’s very versatile and you get more for your money that way,” she says.

E-bikes, if you’re prepared to spend a little more, are another solid option for commuters. “If your fitness level isn’t as it used to be, you’re a little older or you can’t manage a pedal cycle, then an e-bike would be beneficial,” says Shanaze. “They’re also a good idea if you don’t want to get sweaty before you start work, as not every workplace has adequate shower facilities.”

Hi-vis clothing, especially during the winter months, as well as a helmet and bike lights should be your next purchase, and possibly a saddle bag or rucksack you feel comfortable riding with so that you can pack what you need for work. You should carry out some safety checks of your bike before you ride and Shanaze offers her advice on this in this special video filmed for Insync.

For new riders, or those more used to going out at weekends, it may feel daunting to suddenly find yourself in rush hour traffic. Shanaze suggests spending time planning your route online, speaking to colleagues who ride a similar journey to gauge traffic levels and perhaps doing a practice run before you take on the real thing.

“A Bikeability course might be a good idea to brush up on your skills and gain more confidence,” says Shanaze. “It can also help to build up your cycling experience by going out on shorter rides first because going out for the first time in rush hour might not be the way to go about it if you haven’t been on a bike for a while. I always suggest to friends to go on canal paths or quieter roads with cycle paths where it’s flat to build up their confidence.”

Of course, at the end of your route is a full day at work and you need to consider the facilities your workplace offers. “As commuting by bike becomes more popular, businesses are going to have to really step up in providing bike racks, shower facilities and storage spaces for your clothes and cycling gear,” Shanaze adds. “This is a great opportunity for cycling to really come to the forefront and we need everyone pedalling in the same direction to make it a reality.”