Cycling Tips for Beginners

The weather is warmer and the thought of squeezing onto a packed bus or train to commute to work or see friends might not be so appealing. Not only can cycling get you from A to B but it comes with a wealth of physical benefits! So what's stopping you?

• Buy a second hand bike:
  Online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are fantastic for finding a pre-loved bargain. You may also be able to get them down on the price too. If you're not sure of what type of bike would be suitable for you, read this guide by Tredz to help point you in the right direction.

• Or if you're in the UK, you could take advantage of the cycle to work scheme: 
  Pay for a new bike in monthly instalments by using the Bike2Work or CycleScheme through your employer. 

• Buy a helmet:
  While helmets are not required by law in many countries, they can give you an extra layer of confidence as well as protect you if you do end up in an accident. Read out Beginners Guide to Bicycle Helmets for more help deciding which one is right for you.

• Cycle with a friend:
  If you’re very new to cycling or getting back after a long time away, cycling casually with a friend on a weekend is a great way to get back into the swing of things.

• Start small:
  If you’re nervous about a commute to work, try start using your bike to pop to the supermarket or to the local pub. Using recognizable local streets first will help you familiarise yourself with riding your bike and boost your confidence.

• Use cycle lanes and cycleways:
  Cycle lanes are fantastic but cycleways are a godsend for beginner cyclists. In London there are quietways which rarely meet up with busy roads and can get you across the city quickly. 
  
  Use Cycle Route Planner by Cycl.Travel, National Cycle Network map, TfL Cycleway Map. You can plot maps on apps such as Strava so you can use your phone for navigation guidance. 

• Claim your space on the road:
  It’s easy to feel intimidated by drivers, other road users and even other cyclists but it’s important that you take up space on the road rather than cycle close to the pavement and risk hitting a pothole or drain that could put you in danger. Make sure you indicate clearly using arm signals (and emphasize your direction intentions with WingLights indicators) 
  You can book free cycle classes through Gov.uk if you want to refresh yourself on some of the rules of the road. 

• Invest in a lock or two:
  Bike theft is unfortunately common, especially in cities, so if you’re locking your bike up during the day and don’t have access to secure bicycle storage at work or home, make sure you use two locks for extra security. Read our blog on the Beginner’s Guide to Bicycle Locks. And while you’re at it, you might want to check out the other accessories we recommend for commuting cyclists.