Riding your bike to work or school every day is not especially difficult or complicated, but some preparation is really helpful, so I’ll share some of what I’ve learned.

The first things you will need are willingness to do it, and the belief that you can. In my experience talking to people about bicycle commuting, this seems by far the most difficult step. There are very few people who are physically unable to make the distance from their house to their workplace by bicycle, but there are many for whom it is not practical. That brings us to the second thing you’ll need: a manageable commute. I am convinced that a reasonably fit person can easily manage a distance of 4 or 5 miles one way nearly every day.

There is an easy way to find out whether you can manage your commute. Try it. Pick a pleasant day when you don’t have to be at work, get on your bike and start riding at a comfortable pace. If you can get to work and back without wearing yourself out, there is no reason that you couldn’t commute by bike all year, if you have the right equipment.

Start with a sturdy, comfortable bike. You will want fenders, lights, and a rack, basket, or bike bag. Then it will just be a matter of dressing for the weather.

Each morning I look out the window, and check my thermometer. If it is raining or icy, I drive my car or get a ride with a co-worker. It is surprising how seldom I need to do that. If it is raining when it is time to come home, my wife will usually pick me up. Or sometimes I will opt to ride in the rain if it isn’t coming down too hard.

When I’m riding, I dress as I would for a brisk walk. In the winter this means wearing a hat, coat, gloves, and some kind of covering for my face. In the summer, even in July, I can keep from arriving at work covered in sweat by simply riding slower. Not that I ride very fast to begin with, but I can adjust my comfort level by varying the amount of work I’m doing. Riding harder in the winter will keep you warmer, too. It is also good to remember that getting sweaty or wet or muddy is not as much of a problem on your ride home as it is on the way in to work.