A partnership of the transportation agencies of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties
	10 Steps to Ride Your Bike to Work or School 1. Gear Up. Using a bike that’s been in the garage for a year or more? Have it checked out by your local bike shop pro. Most shops will perform a tune-up to make sure the bike is in working order for about $40. 2. Select a Route. Design a route by looking at a city map or get a customized route at bikemetro.com or a Ventura County bike map at www.goventura.org. When deciding on a route, look for extra wide travel lanes and low traffic volumes. Sometimes a longer ride is better than a shorter one if it has fewer hills or wider roads. 3. Cut a Long Ride Down to Size. Metro Rail and Metrolink allow bikes on board at certain times, and many buses have storage racks—so you may only need to ride as far as the nearby bus stop or rail station. Many Park & Ride lots also offer safe bike storage. 4. Consider a Bike Buddy. Is there anyone at work who lives nearby that might want to ride to work with you? Knowing that someone is counting on you to ride with them can strengthen your resolve and encourage you to bicycle. It can also be safer to ride as a pair, too, since you’re a more formidable force on the road and have someone to help you in case of emergency. 5. Do a Test Run. On a day you would regularly take your car, drive the route and look for things like wide lanes and traffic flow. Check out the street conditions: Is the pavement even? Are there lots of parked cars? You may even try a test ride on your bicycle prior to riding the route on a busy weekday. 6. Start Thinking Like a Cyclist. In many cases, this isn’t much different from thinking like a driver. The law in California gives bicycle riders the same rights and responsibilities as auto drivers. You must ride in a straight line if riding with other cyclists, blend in with traffic, indicate turns, stop at signs/lights and ride on the right side of the road. 7. Put Safety First. Buy a safety-approved helmet and wear it. Check your bike for reflectors (reflectors and lights are required in California for riding in darkness) and other safety features. Your local bike shop can help you find the right equipment. Wear brightly colored clothing, especially if you bicycle at dawn or dusk. 8. Check Your Fitness Level. You may want to consult your physician to make sure you’re fit enough to ride. 9. Dress for the Occasion. Besides wearing your helmet, it’s also a good idea to bike in comfortable cycling clothes; either pack a bag with your work clothes, or bring your attire the day before you cycle (so they won’t get wrinkled). 10. Bike to Work or School! It’s a low-cost, high-energy, zero-pollution way to get where you’re going.