I've been bike commuting for 20 years, here are 13 mistakes everyone makes to begin with

This article has been produced as part of our 'New to Riding' week, running from March 10 to March 17, with a special focus on tips, tricks and inspiration for new riders.

I began commuting by bike over two decades ago, but my relationship with riding to work continues to grow however. So much so, in fact, that I find myself setting the criteria of where I work and live dependent on whether it’s rideable. Be warned, cycle commuting can really change your life. Honestly.

Like many now-committed commuters, I wasn’t a 'cyclist' when I began – I started cycling to work on an old mountain bike out of financial necessity, as the cost of travel was getting a bit steep. Thankfully following the acquisition of a Brompton folding bike, commuting became a necessity, but not for financial reasons.

Over the years, I have continually adapted my commute, my choice of route, and of course my bike, all in the name of keeping the journey a joy. And now, for those about to embark on this new relationship, I'd like to share a few of the mistakes I made at the outset and offer some advice that will, hopefully, help you to enjoy a smoother experience during your travels.

Getting a cheap bike lock

Big rookie mistake this. I quickly upgraded to a better bike and also a better bike lock soon after. And why? Because my first bike was stolen. As a guide, invest in a lock that’s worth at least 10% of the value of your bike. If you’re getting your bike through a scheme like Cycle to Work, don’t forget you can add accessories to the bundle like locks, lights, helmet and so forth. While we're on the subject of security, also take out an insurance policy that covers your bike away from home.

Buying the wrong bike light

When it comes to lights, brighter does not automatically mean better. It's better to buy the lights you really need for your commute route. I made the mistake of buying the brightest light with the most lumens when I moved to the countryside, but it was awful for illuminating rural lanes. In an urban environment a bright light with minimal spread might be all you need, but as soon as your commute starts to include unlit roads your light beam needs to be wider, to light up more than just a narrow spot in front of you. Test the breadth of the beam before you buy a light; there’s more advice on buying the best bike light for you in our dedicated guide.

A few more tips: position your lights dipped towards the road to avoid dazzling other road users (if you blind them, they might just drive straight into you). Also, keep charging cables at home and at work – and leave them in your commuting bag when not in use, even in the summer months.

Going without mudguards/fenders

Some urban riders think they're too cool for mudguards, but you soon overcome any such misplaced vanity once you begin commuting five days a week throughout the year - it's far more embarrassing to turn up to work with a huge mud stripe up your bum and back. Trust me. I tried all sorts of waterproof jackets and waterproof trousers, but they all failed where the best mudguards triumphed. An additional benefit to fitting full mudguards is they keep you and the bike clean(er) – meaning that components last longer with less bike cleaning.

Shouldering all the weight

Don't stop at mudguards, invest in a quality pannier rack for your bike. I used satchels, messenger bags and rucksacks, and they just meant a sweaty back even in the depths of winter. When I started having to carry a laptop the damp back became a sore one too. And being top heavy on a bike is a very bad idea for balance. With a rack and panniers, these problems are instantly removed. Excellent brands like Ortlieb and Tailfin produce racks that fit any bike, so you can transform your road bike into effective commuter.

Not knowing how to fix a puncture…

Oh the shame of walking your bike home instead of fixing the problem and pedalling. I experienced that deflated feeling early on. It was lucky, I guess, that it happened on the way home, rather than the way to work, but it still meant a long unnecessary walk back to my door, which would have been a short ride if I’d only known how to keep my tyres inflated at the right pressure, how to fix a puncture, and how to check the tyre for debris before refitting.

Leaving the tools you need at home

Of course, it’s no good knowing how to fix your bike if everything you need is at home. I leave a tote bag with a multi-tool, pump, spare inner tube and puncture repair kit in the bag I use for commuting. In the winter months, a lightweight head torch is added to help during those night time fixes. Carrying a spare inner is also a very good idea, to speed up the pit stop, allowing you to fix the punctured inner tube in the comfort of your home or garage.

Not having spare smalls at work

I always kept a suit, shirts for the week and shoes in the desk drawer at work, wearing my normal everyday clothes for shorter commutes. This meant the time I rode in without waterproofs and the heavens opened, I sat in damp underwear for the day - a mistake I never made again. Now, I leave spare socks and pants at the bottom of my drawer. Of course, if you’re riding in sports kit and wearing cycling shorts (with which you should never wear pants) then you definitely don’t want to make the mistake of leaving underwear at home.

Spending unnecessary money on cycling-specific items

When you start commuting – especially if you’re completely new to cycling – it’s easy to think everything you wear on the bike needs to be designed exclusively for riding. Cycling specific kit is great, and designed to work best on the bike, but it isn’t always necessary. If you’re riding a hybrid and have a decent breathable waterproof already, you probably don’t need a race cape designed for riding hunched over the drops of a road bike. As soon as something is labelled as cycling specific, expect the price to go up (especially with tools), so it’s worth exploring less specific alternatives. I enjoy hiking, and I’ve found my breathable waterproof jacket and trousers work perfectly well on the bike. Similarly when it comes to the Allan keys you need to work on your bike, your local hardware store will have a set at wallet-friendly prices (and before you buy any, check your tool box - if you’ve ever bought flatpack furniture you'll likely have some already).

Not servicing your bikes

One thing not to scrimp on is an annual visit to your local bike shop for an annual service. You wouldn’t (hopefully) forgo giving your car an MOT and service each year, so don’t with your bike. Prevention is always better than cure, and regular care will identify problems before they can happen, saving money and mid-ride breakdowns, as well as ensuring your bike rides as it should. Don’t forget to keep your tyres at the right pressure (see the sidewall for that) and your chain lubed.

Not knowing how to cycle on the road

Most cyclists also drive, so they know the rules of the road. However, your perspective changes dramatically when you start riding bikes on those same roads. While the principles are pretty much the same whatever vehicle you’re using, the way you ride – where you position the bike, avoiding the car dooring zone, approaching junctions, those three (or more!) point checks before manoeuvring – will be different compared to the experience behind the wheel. Take a look at our page on cycling safely on the road for more tips, and look up local training if you’re unsure.

Replicating your driving journey

Similarly if you’re making the transition from driving to cycling to work, you might be tempted to follow the route you normally drive. Outside of strong cycling nations like the Netherlands or Denmark, that’s likely to have you battling with motor traffic, often with little in the way of cycle infrastructure to make you feel safer. Your bike will open up new ways to you, that are either closed to driving or just not as convenient – and likely to be quieter and more enjoyable too. Tools like Cycling UK’s Journey Planner, Komoot, RidewithGPS or Strava navigation can help you plot the quietest and flattest routes for cycling, which you’ll soon begin to know like the back of your hand.

Not supporting the cause

You know that safe segregated cycle lane which allows you to concentrate on riding and not worry about anything else? It didn’t spring out of the good intentions of your local decision makers. It’s down to your local and national cycling organisations working tirelessly over the years to make the world a better place for bike riders. If you want better cycling infrastructure in the future and for cycling’s voice to be be heard at all levels of government, then support these organisations by joining or donating.

Thinking I have to do it every day

You know it’s OK not to commute by bike every day, right? Maybe it’s icy, you’re under the weather, you’ve got to pick up the kids or perhaps you just don’t feel like it. Commuting by bike is just one of your options for going to work – it’s probably the best one and will continue being the best one so long as you enjoy it, so don’t force it.