4 Tips for Finding a Bike-to-Work Route

The quickest way from Point A to Point B is a straight line. But if you're interested in bike commuting to work, take that straight-line talk and trash it.

The directness of your route is one of a number of factors you need to weigh, but probably not the most important.

That's not to say that a 5-mile drive should become a 20-mile bike commute for the sake of wide bike lanes. It's a balancing act, one that should make your route a safe, enjoyable and efficient trek to the office.

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"When I was living in Des Moines," says Carolyn Szczepanski, "it took me months of going out on the weekends and trying different routes to try to get to work. There was this major thoroughfare that was a very specific inhibitor to my getting to work safely and in a direct fashion."

Szczepanski is now the director of communications for the League of American Bicyclists, and a daily bike commuter in Washington D.C. The League is a major supporter of Bike to Work Month and educates workers around the world looking to transition from driving to biking into the office.

One of the biggest hurdles new commuters face is finding the best route. Here are some pointers the League offers:

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Find Friendly Roads

Make sure a majority of the roads that you take to the office are bicycle-friendly. That can mean a number of things:

• Streets with bike lanes, perhaps the most obvious indicator of bike-friendliness.
• The amount of traffic. Look for low-volume streets with few trucks and buses.
• Terrain: If a giant mountain is between you and the office, consider a route that goes around it, even if it adds a little to the distance.
• Hazards: Railroad tracks, storm drains, even poorly maintained roads can cause a daily problem for your commute. Try to avoid them.

Many big cities, like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle and others have detailed bike maps to show which roads are bike-friendly. It is a great resource to help you plan your route.

More: Safety Tips for Cycling on Freeways

Don't Forget Public Transit

The bus or the train can be your friend. Consider taking the bus for part of the ride if your route is too long or if you don't want to be all sweaty and stinky at the office. Bike racks are common on the front of the buses so you don't have to leave your bike somewhere.

"If you're concerned about getting to work and not having a shower there, maybe you can take your bike on a bus and get to work," Szczepanski said, "Then, at the end of the day you can ride home because you don't have that worry on the other end of the trip."

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Get Creative

It's possible your route could include some off-road trails or fire roads—but only if your bike can handle it.

What kind of ride you have could influence what kind of route you take. Road bikes will keep you on blacktop, but a hybrid or a mountain bike could open up your options.

More: Important Safety Tips for Bike Commuting

Practice It

Szczepanski, when she was living in Iowa, spent a few Saturdays trying out different routes to get to her office. Not only was she figuring out which route was the most efficient, but she also got a better idea of how long it took to get there. And, she developed comfort on those roads.

"It's getting used to the flow of traffic, getting used to how the intersections work, getting used to being on the road with motorists," she says. "Those are all really critical factors."

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