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Chicago Bike Routes

Bike Commuting to Work: My experience with a 12 mile commute in Chicagoland

bike traveling between work and home

Why did I start bike commuting?

In the spring of 2019, I was tired of commuting everywhere by car. I dreaded getting stuck in traffic during the ride to work and the stuffy feeling of riding in my nearly 20 year-old vehicle - there simply had to be a way to have a more enjoyable commute.

Since I enjoy cycling, I made the decision to explore bike commuting from my home in the north side of Chicago to my job in the suburbs.

It initially felt like an intimidating undertaking with questions that I needed to answer before I could begin such as:

After about 2 years where I have ridden my bike to work on over 150 days, I am happy to say that the decision to bike commute extensively has been one of the best decisions that I have made. Although I still drive to work in a car on many days, bike commuting has increased my quality of life and has encouraged me to look at other ways to meet my transportation needs without using a car.

What gear do I use for my bike commute?

My decision to wear workout clothes during my commute, given the 12 mile distance, led to using a backpack to carry many of my things. Below is a full list of gear that I use or carry during a typical commute during warm months in Chicago:

I find that the above list of items is manageable to carry (backpack with items weighs about 10-15 lbs)

backpack and contents

Backpack used for bike commuting and some typical items carried within such as lunch and tire kit items

Will I arrive at work all sweaty and be too tired?

Although I am fortunate to have showers available at work, I have not needed to use them much. I usually find it sufficient to shower at home before my commute and then wipe myself down with a couple of paper towels once I arrive at work.

I never owned a road bike before my decision to bike commute, and I realize now that road bikes are very efficient compared to my previous bicycles (mostly old mountain bikes). On a road bike, pedalling at a fairly relaxed pace still allows you to cruise along at a good speed (10-15 miles per hour).

The energy efficiency of a road bike has also meant that I have not felt too tired at all once I arrive at work. In fact, I often have a spring in my step after my ride. However, I do notice that there can be some leg and back soreness especially when just starting to bike commute (soreness tends not to be any issue after biking consistently and allowing my body to adapt to it).

Is riding on the street and sharing the road with cars too dangerous?

My opinion is that cycling on the roads can be very dangerous if drivers or cyclists are behaving carelessly, but I know there are some things that I can do to make my commute a relatively safe activity. The following are some points that have helped me feel safe and avoid accidents.

1. Always Cycle Defensively and Pay Attention: I always consider that there may be a car or other moving object crossing my path at the next intersection or turn and prepare to slow down in case I need to. I consider that a car coming near me may suddenly turn without signalling and that passengers in parked cars may suddenly open their doors in front of me. I try to bike in a predictable fashion without making sudden turns or movements. I do quick shoulder checks every once in a while and use my hearing as another potential way to detect cars coming up behind me. I don't cycle at high intensity (high speed) on streets becuase my awareness is not as high when I do this, and it can make it hard to stop quickly.

2. Plan Your Route: I plan my route so that I stay on roads that have bike lanes or are not very busy. If I have to use a very busy street for a bit, I am extra careful or choose to walk my bike on the sidewalk, if one is available.

3. Use Lights: When cycling in low light conditions, I use a pair of blinking lights on the front and back of my bike to make me more visible. I feel that blinking lights make me more visible to drivers than lights that do not blink.

Won't bike commuting take too much time?

My 12-mile commute from Chicago's north side to the suburbs usually takes about 25-30 minutes by car. By bike, it takes me about 60 minutes to get to work (door-to-door). Although, bike commuting to and from work means I have to spend an additional hour commuting each day, I think that this time is well spent becuase it is far more enjoyable than car commuting and counts as exercise. Since I also own a car, I know that I do not have to cycle to work everyday, if I feel that I want a break from bike commuting.