“On a Business Trip” — Episode 2: Bike to Work: How to Start Cycle Commuting Stress-Free

We’re heading in—better yet: let’s roll!

You want to bike to work but don’t know where to start? As so often, it depends. The key factors are distance, region, time budget, gear, and the setup at your workplace. Here’s your overview; details will follow in the next parts of this series.

How far can you ride?

In 2011, as a keen road cyclist, I started with 36 km each way, sometimes 40+ km—that’s 350–400 km per week. It’s doable, but not the benchmark. The goal here is to get as many people cycling to work as possible.

Even sub-5 km commutes are still often done by car or public transport—yet 5 km is very doable for beginners.

If you already ride for fun, 10–15 km is comfortably manageable under your own power.

Fit riders can handle longer distances several times per week.

It doesn’t have to be daily: start with set weekdays or mix bike & train (e.g., train in the morning, ride home).

Pro tip: An e-bike (pedelec) makes headwinds and longer distances easier—ideal if you prefer to arrive sweat-free.

What gear do you need?

To start, a well-maintained everyday bike is enough:

Tires properly inflated, drivetrain lubed, brakes dialed. Consider a tune-up—the better it rolls, the more fun it is.

Helmet: in city traffic, it’s a must for me.

Lights: be seen—bright front and rear lights (daytime running helps too).

Lock matched to your parking and theft risk.

Clothing: in summer, sporty casual often works. For longer routes, technical apparel helps.

Carry options:

Backpack is simple but can get sweaty.

Waterproof pannier saves your back—great for laptop, lunch, documents.

Gear motivates: for longer distances, a light, sporty commuter bike makes commuting noticeably easier.

Which route should you choose?

The shortest route is rarely the safest or most relaxing.

Test your commute on a weekend and try variants.

Route planners like Komoot, Ride with GPS, Strava, or Bikerouter help—heatmaps show where people actually ride.

A scenic detour can be your daily reward (ice-cream stop included).

My real-world example: the Rhine route

I’m lucky with my commute: from central Cologne I ride traffic-free along the Rhine (~8 km), a short industrial section, then bike path/quiet streets. The highlight is rejoining the Rhine—from there it’s mostly traffic-free right into my workplace underground parking.

When should you start?

Don’t begin during a stressful period full of appointments. Holiday season can be perfect—stable weather helps. Build buffer time into your outbound and return trips around work, family, and personal plans.

Realistic time planning

15 km/h is a good planning average for regular riders; ~20 km/h if you’re sporty.

Example: 5 km ≈ 20 minutes plus a 5-minute buffer.

Rush-hour timing

If you have flexitime, leave as early as you can. In big cities, traffic ramps up by 07:00—bike lanes too (in Cologne from around 07:30). Ten minutes earlier can make a big difference.

Quick checklist for your first bike-to-work day

Route tested on a weekend (primary & fallback)

Bike mechanically sound (brakes, lights, tires, drivetrain)

Helmet, lock, lightweight rain jacket if needed

Backpack or waterproof pannier packed

Time buffer planned (out and back)

Plan B: combine with public transport

FAQ: Cycle-commuting made simple

How often should I start?

Begin with 1–2 days per week and build up. Your body—and schedule—will find the rhythm.

What if it rains?

A light rain jacket, fenders, and a waterproof bag are often enough. Or go train out, ride back—stay flexible.

What if I arrive sweaty?

Ride easier, leave earlier, bring a spare shirt. For longer routes: base layers or an e-bike.

Bottom line: Nail the basics and just do it—you could start tomorrow. Bike to work, the easy way.