Streetfight

Just posting to remind myself about this book, and to regularly look out for it in the book store. Maybe I should also put it in my Chirstmas / birthday wish list.

It's all about Janette Sadik-Khan and her work in New York City.

Also, the videos of her talks:

Also, other videos from the 2014 Velo-City conference via YouTube.

The Pinoy Bikepacker: A Cycle Touring Primer by Lagalag

Last night, I attended Lagalag's "The Pinoy Bikepacker: A Cycle Touring Primer" at their store in SM City North EDSA. I've always been interested in touring and it would be nice to hear from people who have been doing it.

The event started a little after 7:00pm and the discussion was led by Pen and G-third, who I believe are members of UP Mountaineers.

G-third and Pen

There were quite a lot of us packed inside the store. There were about 10 of us there who had no experience in the kind of multi-day bikepacking that they do. There were also other members of Lagalag in attendance. Generally, the talk had a very friendly vibe because of the presence of the "veterans". It's nice to see other people being interested in trying to do a bikepacking tour. As mentioned by G-third, people do bikepacking for different reasons. Some people just want to see new things and be in new places. Some people want to explore the in-betweens of their destinations. For me, it's all about experiencing getting from point A to point B using one of my favorite things in the world - a bicycle. I haven't really been doing a lot of traveling. But I love having more reasons to ride my bicycle. And seeing the pictures of their bikepacking trips (see them in their Facebook page) makes me think that seeing the beautiful scenery and the interesting people are just more reasons to do so.

Crowd shot

G-third was the one who discussed about the finer points of bikepacking. In his introduction, he told us how Google differentiated bikepacking from biketouring. Basically, to some, bikepacking involves shorter distances and lighter loads compared to biketouring. But for the purpose of our discussion, these two terms are interchangeable, thus the title of the talk. He also emphasized the idea of "Filipino bikepacking/biketouring". I've been researching on the web for a while and as G-third pointed out, foreigners do biketouring differently than we do. Mainly, Westerners have more financial freedom to do long tours so they can actually leave their day jobs and even sell of their possessions to fund their expeditions. This phenomenon is documented in several of the blogs and sites that I follow. Filipino bikepacking, is shorter and more on a shoestring budget because most of those who do it, can't leave their day jobs and have families to take care of. So in a sense, our brand of bikepacking is more "practical", I suppose.

G-third is bikepacker himself with a lot of experience

G-third then talked about the key things in preparing for a bike tour. Here are some of the things I learned:

1. Don't worry about age or lack of athleticism. There are many bikepackers who started in their latter years and those who came from virtually zero physical fitness. The key is to cut the length of the trip into shorter distances per day. But of course, having a couple of long rides are still a good way to prepare for any bikepacking trip.
2. Don't worry about having the right gear. Sometimes we can get too fixated on buying the right stuff, that we overspend for luxuries, distracting us from the more substantial planning. It's bikepacking, Filipino-style so all that is needed are the practical things. Keep it light and keep it simple. Conversely, we were comforted that we shouldn't worry about our gear, particularly the bicycle, breaking down. The occasional flats or even broken spokes happen, so knowing how to do basic fixes are important. But as G-third mention, worry about your body more than your bike. This means eating, hydrating, and resting properly before and during the trip.
3. Planning is everything. A bikepacking trip starts with a desire to see things.They talked about their Souteast Asia tour and it started with one of them just wanting to try the new border pass. Then, proceed to ask how much time and money can you spare for the trip. Knowing the destination, the budget, and the duration shapes the itinerary of the trip. The itinerary will only be complete if the route is plotted in the map. One of the most important tip that G-third mentioned is to check blogs, because more often than not, other people have tried the route that was envisioned. Researching online leads to knowing the right gear for the climate and finding out the best places to stay.
4. Find out the airports' and the airlines' policy on checking-in bicycles. We had a lengthy discussion about how to make sure that the bikes are checked in properly. Airlines and airports have different policies on this, so it's important to check online and to call ahead of time. When confirming the policy via the telephone, make sure there's a way for you to show the check-in counter personnel that you were instructed with a certain policy. This involves asking for an e-mail confirmation of the policy that you can print out and show. There was a also a discussion on the merits of checking-in a naked bike, putting it in a box or a bag, and wrapping them in plastic. Whenever able, try to push for a naked bike check-in.

The talk ended with a walkthrough of their Vietnam-Laos-Thailand. It was a very interesting trip. Going abroad for a biketour isn't in my mind yet, all I want to do is bikepack around the country, particularly in the Cordilleras. But seeing the photos and hearing their stories made me want to try it. G-third even mentioned that it's actually cheaper to go bikepacking in Vietnam than in the Philippines because the food and lodging are cheaper there. He said that they spent around 35,000 pesos for their 15-day tour. Then Pen said that exclusive of airfare, they spent around 7,000 for their 2-week tour.

Now all I want to do is plan a bikepacking trip to the Cordilleras

(photo c/o Lagalag's Facebook page)

All in all, the talk was quite informative. It's good to get some pointers from people who've actually done it. It's also nice to see how normal these other people are. They're not athletes or exploring extraordinaires. They're everyday people, with everyday responsibilities. If they can do it, so can I.

Postscript: I think it's awesome that even though we're in a store, G-third, Pen, Bunny, and everyone else aren't trying to sell us any of the equipment they have on sale. I appreciate that because it means they're really into it for the love of bikepacking, and not just to sell us stuff. I guess if I'm really into biketouring, I'm now in good company.

The Larga gear are actually cool and practical

Bikepacking to Puerto Galera

​Last weekend, I went to Puerto Galera with my college friends. Feeling a little extra adventurous, I invited my friend Jet to bikepack with me from Quezon City to Batangas Port. I was confident that the trip won't be too hard because I already rode to Calamba  last year for another outing with friends.

Jet found a biker's route map posted online that we'd follow. Honestly, I didn't check the route at all and just let Jet navigate. That's a mistake in bikepacking. Everyone should know the route.

View the MapMyRide route here

The second mistake I committed was not getting enough sleep. I was out drinking and playing Netrunner the night before so I only had roughly 2 hours of sleep. I woke up at 5:00am the next day to pack my bag and to make sure that my bike's tires have the right pressure. At aroung 5:45am, Jet arrived.

I opted to keep the basket so I can secure my backpack to my bicycle

The first agenda of the day is to get to Alabang, Muntinlupa. We crossed EDSA via Ortigas Avenue and proceeded to C5 via Shaw Boulevard. We then entered the SLEX west service road via Fort Bonifacio. Going through the service road on a weekday meant going alongside jeeps that keep on loading/unloading every 20 meters.

Eventually, at around 7:30am, we arrived at Alabang. I grabbed a quick breakfast in Jollibee and agreed that our next stop will be at Calamba.

Aside from having to wait for Jet in Muntinlupa (he took a "buko juice break"), the ride up until San Pedro, through the national highway, was uneventful. Then in Binan, we had to go through some sort of carmageddon. Both of the north-bound lanes were blocked off for about 50 meters due to road construction. The section was covered up so drivers can't see the oncoming traffic. Those going soutboud occupied one lane on the other side. The traffic wasn't moving so Jet decided to walk his bike through the sidewalk. I followed suit. We did the right move because traffic was indeed hopelessly gridlocked. On the other side, the northbound vehicles occupied all of the lanes. There was no traffic enforcer in sight. Oh well, it looked like there were a lot of people who'd have to take a leave from work.

At around 9:00am, we arrived at Calamba, Laguna. The sun is already up so it was getting really hot. We rehydrated and figured out how to go to the Laguna-Batangas boundary. We also checked on our friends who were traveling by car.

The ride to Batangas is actually an uphill one

We arrived at the boundary at around 10:00am. At this point, we've been covered around 70 kilometers already. Batangas is a big province and we have about 50 kilometers of riding to cover.

Our bikes' Laguna-Batangas boundary shot

After a quick 7-Eleven hydration break, we pushed through. We went through Tanauan and had a quick lunch in an eatery in Malvar. I ordered a plate of pancit canton and Jet opted for gotto with rice. I wanted to drink some softdrinks but for some reason, the town didn't get any delivery that week. The route was a gradual uphill until we arrived at Lipa City at 11:30am.

We then pushed onwards through Lipa City and San Jose. We eventually veered away from the national highway and took some sort of a back road in San Jose. 

At around 12noon, we got a call from out friends who just arrived at the Batangas Port. We needed to be in the port ASAP because our boat for Galera will leave at 1:00pm. Jet and I were confident that with a little over 30km to go, we can make it in time. So we started pedaling faster. Fortunately, the route from San Jose to Batangas City was more or less a downhill one.

After 10km, we were already approaching Batangas City. We were pedaling at a pace wherein, at best, we were covering a kilometer every 2 minutes. The time was around 12:35pm. By my estimate, if we maintain the pace, we'd get to the port by 12:55pm. At that point, I wasn't sure what the procedures for boarding were so I wasn't too confident that we'd make the 1:00pm boat ride. Nonetheless, we continued racing against the clock.

At around 12:50pm, we arrived at the port area. I had no idea the Batangas Port was so immense. We eventually found the right gate by 12:55pm but by that time, we were told that we won't be allowed to board the 1:00pm boat. So, we had to wait for the 2:45pm one.

While waiting for our ride, we freshened up (tip: always bring wet wipes when bikepacking) and ate a nice lunch. We had to buy 2 extra tickets for our bicycles. I'm not sure if that's the official policy at the port but we were in no mood to argue. We're just glad our bikes were allowed to board.

Our bikes at the pier

Waiting to be allowed to board

Our bikes were the last ones to be loaded into the boat. They were placed at the front. Unfortunately, we forgot to put a cover on our leather saddles. They got wet with sea water. Good thing there was no damage after the 1 hour ride. Another thing we didn't account for was the chain rust accumulation due to the salt water. Next time I'm bringing my bike to a boat, I'll make sure I pack some lube.

We arrived at Sabang Beach at around 4:00pm. We had to walk our bikes to our resort. A lot of sand stuck to our bikes and the brake pads so we knew we had to clean our bikes soon. Eventually, "after ten year", we saw our friends and we can finally say that we have arrived.

Jet and I decided that on our return trip, we'll just board our bikes on the van via Jet's bike harness. So there's no long biking for us on the way home. I was open to doing it but I'd rather not do it alone that day. Maybe next time.

Shirley along Sabang Beach

All in all, I think it was a good ride for us. If I'd do the ride again, I'd star earlier. 6:00am was a little too late. We had to do the climbs under the heat of the midday sun. Shirley, as usual, was more than capable to do this bikepacking trip. I couldn't be more happier with her. We actually met a couple of guys in Sabang that own Surley LHTs. One pf them actually did a bike tour from Europe to Hong Kong in a span of 3 years. 

For me, bikepacking is fun because I get to experience going through the towns along the highway. Cars go through expressways so most people don't get to see much of the sights. I know to some bikepacking is impractical because our 5-hour ride (7 hours total, inclusive of stops) would only take about 2 hours by car. But for me, the riding is all worth it. It's all about the experience of being able to ride a long distance, of being able to go to places in my own terms. A little sweat and some dirt never bothered me anyway.

Jalajala Long Ride

It's been months since my last long ride, so when my friend Oz asked around for people to join him in a ride to Jalajala, Rizal I immediately said yes. Last Thursday, April 17, I set out on a PATW (padyak-all-the-way, as my friend Paolo Duay would say) to our meet-up point at the Bulawan Floating Restaurant in Pililla, Rizal.

It took me 50km of riding to reach the meetup point. It was actually my first time to go beyond the Manila East - Sampaloc Road junction. Usually, I'd turn left to do the Reverse Sierra Loop. Unfortunately, I had to wait almost an hour for my companions to arrive because they rode their cars to Bulawan. The traffic was heavy in several points after Teresa. I guess people wanted to go either to the popular vacation spots in Rizal or to Quezon Province.

Shirley waiting in the gate of Bulawan Floating Restaurant

Eventually, Oz, Slim, Mo, and Miguel arrived and we proceeded to go on an easy ride to the tip of Jalajala. Oz was riding his new cyclocross bike and Slim, Mo, and Miguel rode their mountain bikes.

En route to Jalajala (Photo c/o Miguel's Instagram)

At the tip of Jalajala, overlooking the Laguna Lake (c/o Miguel's Instagram)

The ride to the tip of Jalajala was around 20km from our meetup point in Bulawan. The route was mostly flat and at several points, we were riding with other bikers as well. It was mid-day and the summer sun was shining brightly. Good thing it was quite windy, unfortunately the breeze will not stop me from getting a serious tan later on.

After riding back to our meetup point (another 20km ride), we looked for a place to eat lunch. The floating restaurant was filled with people so we found another restaurant (Stephanie's). After a brief break, I bid adieu to my companions as I resume my PATW back to Manila.

My friend Jet met up with me before going up Teresa. His company was short-lived because we eventually lost each other after reaching the town proper. But his company up the slopes of Teresa was well-appreciated.

Summer's heat was too much to bear and I needed a lot of hydration along the way. Good thing I had a healthy dose of free water refills c/o the Lakbay Alalay stations and some refreshing buko juice.

Eventually, after almost 6 hours of riding, I got back home. It was a 142km ride all in all, 18km shy of a century. Maybe next time, I'll push more mileage. For now, I'm just glad to be back on the saddle.

Awesome shot c/o Oz

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I know it's not really safe to listen to music while biking but it would be remiss to not mention how much I enjoyed listening to my indie OPM playlist during the long ride. The upbeat songs made the heat of the sun and the occasional steep climbs so much more bearable. I think it's safe to listen to music as long as the cyclist is aware of his surroundings (e.g. do the regular shoulder checks).

Below are some songs from my playlist.

Date Someone Who Rides a Bicycle

Well, it's Valentine's Day. On this day, people like talking about going out on dates. I'm usually teased by friends when we talk about riding a bicycle to a date (Kasya ba 'yung ka-date mo doon sa basket mo? Naku, kailangan mong humanap ng gustong umangkas sa bisikleta mo!). They think it's impractical and bordering on ridiculous. So I put together this list on why it's actually great to date someone who rides a bicycle.

This list applies to both men and women. But since I'm a guy, I'd use the masculine pronoun.

1. You're sort of sure that he has a strong sense of independence
The number one reason why I like to bike is because it gives me this sense of freedom. Once I get on the saddle, the possibilities of where I can go are just countless.  It’s liberating to not think about gas prices or if I’ll be able to grab a taxi or whether the trains are full or not. It’s refreshing to be with someone who has this strong sense of independence.

2. It's easier to do spontaneous dates

Related to the first point a biker can go to a date wherever and whenever it is, however late it can be. I always say that from my place, I can go to any point in Metro Manila (with exception of the more southern cities like Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, and Paranaque) within 30 minutes, regardless of traffic conditions. I know people think that it’s dangerous to go biking after 10:00PM, but I don’t mind it. I actually like riding late at night because there is less cars on the road.

3. You don't have to worry how he'll be able to go home

This is also related to the first point above. Sometimes, you’d be worried how your date will go home – do I need to bring him home? Where’s the nearest taxi stand? If your date is a biker, he can easily take care of himself.

4. And it's nice to get that "I'm home" text message when he finally does

5. He likes the simple things

It's easy to give gifts to someone who likes to ride a bicycle. Well, I guess this goes for anyone who is passionate about something. For bikers, it can range from bicycle stuff to toiletries. I’d appreciate something as simple as a cheap LED light or even a pack of wet wipes. When rainy season comes, a biker would appreciate a simple rain poncho from the hardware store. Oh, and towels become a very practical gift idea.

6. He is fit, in some way or another

And sometimes, we're also better looking.

7. He has a natural appetite for adventure

Bikers are also usually weekend warriors. On a well-rested morning, I'd love to go on a long bike ride to the mountains of Rizal. It's tiring but it's really fun. I'm sure this spirit of adventure can easily be translated to equally adventurous dates.

8. Not afraid to get down and dirty

A good biker knows how to maintain his bicycle. This includes knowing how to clean the bike chain. This chore can be quite messy. Guys who's okay with getting their hands dirty are more or less willing to do manual labor like household chores. And I think girls should date guys who are good with their hands.

9. Your only rival to his heart is his bicycle

I love my bike. I saved up so I can put it together. I don't like leaving it in places where it might get stolen. I'm with my bicycle every single day. I ride it everyday so I make sure I properly take care of it. I try to bring it to the shop every month for a thorough cleanup and maintenance check. No matter how many punctures or chain mishaps it has gone through, it'll never fail to get me to where I need to be, when it matters. I even talk to my bike sometimes. And oh how I wish it could talk back to me.

10. But at least you know what's the quickest way to his heart

Well, bikers are just like any other person. We have our strengths and we have our weaknesses. We just love to bike and we love our bicycles. Dating us need not be a hassle. It can actually be a fun and refreshing experience. 

I know we can be sweaty and a little short-winded when we arrive at dates, but please bear with us. We just tried to pedal faster because we were very excited to meet up with you.

Eight Ways to Keep Safe When Biking

This is an article from Interaksyon.com. I'm re-posting this here for reasons that will be obvious when you read the article.

PARA SA MGA SIKLISTA | 8 ways to keep safe when biking
By: Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com

January 27, 2014 11:48 AM

“A lot of the time, road accidents happen when the cyclist or motorist is unpredictable, say he or she suddenly makes a turn,” said J. Paul Marasigan, an aficionado who used to bike to and from work every day.

Visibility is also important to keep safe on the streets, he said. At night, cyclists must have prominent blinkers and/or reflectors on their bike, body, helmet, or anywhere else that can be seen.

Before making a turn, overtaking, or changing lanes, cyclists must also look at their surroundings to make sure they are clear to go, especially when crossing.

It is also important to use hand signals to make one’s moves predictable. But a problem is that some motorists do not understand these gestures because they are not educated about this, said Marasigan.

Omi Castañar, another cyclist who uses the bike as his primary mode of transportation, has more advice for his peers.

1. Wear light-colored clothes.

2. Make sure there are both front and rear lights on the bike.

3. Stick to familiar routes. Avoid national roads and highways if possible.

4. Do not listen to music. It is important to hear vehicles coming from the rear, especially motorcycles

5. Avoid weaving. Ride in a straight line.

6. Do not assume that drivers can see you.

7. Do not beat traffic lights.

8. Always be ready with the brakes because some vehicles do not follow road rules.

But bicycle safety is not just the biker’s responsibility. Marasigan said that motorists must also be aware that there may be a bike in their vicinity. A common problem, he said, was how car doors would suddenly open just as a bike approached.


He advised that cyclists go a door’s length apart from vehicles they pass to avoid this.

FAQs: Riding a Bicycle to Work

Here are some of the frequently asked questions when people find out that I ride a bike to the office.

1. How long have you been riding a bike to work?

I started biking to the office in 2012. Back then, because of my erratic work schedule (i.e. I don't know when and where my work day ends) I'd ride once or twice a week. This wasn't as regular as I'd want to. But in August 2013, the nature of my work changed and I was able to ride my bicycle to work everyday. Since the first work day of August 2013, I have never failed to ride a bicycle to the office.

2. What bicycle do you use?
I used to ride a Brompton-clone folding bike to the office. I preferred it over my road bike because I can attach a a bag in front of it. Mid-2013, I sold my folding bike to finish the assembly of my touring bicycle. Since then, I've been using my Surly Long Haul Trucker to go to the office, and basically everywhere else. I prefer this bike because of several factors: (1) the racks allow me to place my bag on a basket / crate at the rear of the of bike, (2) the thicker tires and the steel frame absorbs more vibration than my racer's thin 700cc tires and carbon fiber frame, and (3) the geometry is more relaxed than my racer, making long rides easier on the back and the nape.

This doesn't mean people need to buy a commuter-specific bicycle to ride one to work. When asked for bicycle recommendations, I always tell my friends to get one that they'd like to ride. Any bicycle can be used for bike commuting. Of course I'd recommend to get one that has either a rack or a basket but they're more for convenience than an absolute requirement. It's perfectly alright to get an affordable Japanese surplus bicycle as a commuter.

3. How long is your ride to the office?
The distance from my place and the office is about 7.2 kilometers. It takes me between 18-22 minutes to get to the office in the morning. If I commute (i.e. riding the LRT2 and the subsequent jeepney) the travel time is about 35 minutes. The ride home, because of the traffic conditions, takes longer - I get home after about 25 minutes of cycling.

4. What do you wear when riding? Don't you get very sweaty and dirty?
Before, when I'd still bring my folding bicycle, I'd wear my office slacks and office shoes together with a dry-fit shirt to the office. I was going for a "wear-for-the-destination-not-the-ride" look. I always pedaled at a leisurely pace so I won't get sweaty. But when I switched to full-time biking, I opted to wear running singlets (in addition to the dry-fit shirts), nylon shorts, and sandals. Because I ride everyday to work, I can't avoid the occasional morning rush (usually because of overextended sleep). Making it in time for work entailed pedaling faster than normal, so perspiration is unavoidable.

When I arrive at the office, I just changed into my office clothes. I bring my clothes with me and I usually leave my shoes under my desk. Before dressing up, I'd wash my face and use anti-bacterial wet wipes my arms, legs, and torso with. Usually, this ritual is enough for me to feel fresh for the day.

Bringing clothes to work has its trade-offs - my bag is bulkier than usual and my clothes don't look as neatly pressed as I want them too. But these are small inconveniences that I'd gladly accept so I can ride my bicycle to work.

Ideally, I wish I could shower at the office every time I arrive. In addition, I wish I could bring all my clothes at the same time and just store them in a cabinet complete with hangers. If these options are available to prospective bike commuters, then it would be even better.

5. What's your route?
I brave the busy streets of Aurora Boulevard during my commute. I know of some biker friends who opt to go through side streets on their commute and I recommend that cyclists do that. I just haven't discovered a convenient route that would allow me to avoid Aurora Boulevard. Going through side streets is beneficial because the streets are usually less busy and congested, and seeing the neighborhood is always a good bonus.

The key really is to plan ahead. I recommend scoping the route ahead of time, if possible. Look for potholes or road repairs that might need to be avoided. Scoping either first-hand or via Google Maps might also lead to discovering safer and more pleasant routes, so it really pays to do some research.

After doing research, I suggest going through the route on a weekend, when the traffic is lighter. Riding the planned route on a bicycle for the first time on a weekday morning is not advisable, especially for newbie bike commuters. It's always better to be familiar with the route first before worrying about heavy traffic and the morning rush. Also, try the route at night just to be familiar with the lighting conditions of the road.

6. Isn't going through national roads dangerous?
The key to being safe on the road is to be visible and predictable. Cyclists should ensure that other motorists see them, both in daytime and (most especially) during night time. This includes being careful when crossing intersections and avoiding swerving in and out of lanes.

Avoid the right side of cars in corners (left); Always use hand signals (right)

Normally, it's best for cyclists to stay on near the curb. But there are times when it's safer to claim the whole lane, particularly near corners so that drivers do not try to overtake. Unfortunately, some motorists do not take too kindly to cyclists who claim the whole lane, I am often blasted with loud horns for this. I tend to ignore them and just opt to pedal faster.

It goes without saying that riding at night time requires proper bicycle lighting - both for the front and the rear of the bicycle. Whenever possible, I also avoid wearing a black shirt when cycling at night. I recommend getting those wearable reflective strips that can be bought in the hardware stores or those Japanese surplus shops.

Predictability is also important. When cycling in public roads, try to use hand signals. This is as simple as stretching your arm towards the direction you want to go to. This applies to changing lanes and to cornering. Being predictable also means avoiding swerving and weaving through traffic. As much as possible, I try to stick to one lane (see above). I only weave through traffic to avoid obstacles like potholes, road cracks, and parked vehicles. And when I weave, I make sure that I use hand signals.

When riding in national roads like C5, I also try to maintain a good pace - around 25 - 25 kph. Riding with the traffic (in terms of speed) also helps in making things more convenient for the motorists. This doesn't mean that slower bikers should keep out of these busy streets. But I guess it's just safer to be faster in these roads, especially when going up flyovers.

Riding in traffic can be daunting at first. But being visible and predictable at all times greatly reduces the risks for both the cyclist and the motorist.

7. Do you still ride the bicycle when it rains?
I do not let rain (or even storms) stop me from doing my bike commute. Cycling in the rain can actually be very fun, especially considering that in Manila when it rains, it (traffic) jams. My bike has fenders that keep tire moisture from splashing. I also have a poncho-style rain coat that has just enough ventilation to keep me dry from both rain and perspiration. I also bring an XL trash bag to cover my bag and some rubber bands to make sure that the bag is enclosed.

8. What other things do you bring on your commute?
Aside from my helmet, change of clothes, my bike lights, and my rain stuff, I also bring the following:

1. Extra tire interior + patch kit
2. Body spray + wet wipes
3. Bike lock
4. Totobobo mask

My Totobobo mask from Singapore

9. Where do you park your bicycle?

Securing the bicycle in a place where it won't be a bother to co-workers is important. I keep my bicycle in the staircase of our fire exit. I keep it locked to the window grills. 

10. What other things should bicycle commuters remember?

Riding a bicycle to work may seem like a big commitment, well it kind of is. It needs a bit of planning and preparation. But it's not as difficult as people might think. I opted to bike to work because I wanted a less stressful way to go the office. I want the freedom that comes riding a bicycle - I no longer need to worry about whether the train lines are still open or not and I don't need to be afraid of Friday night traffics.

First-time bike commuters should take it easy and not rush into fully committing to a bike-to-work lifestyle. I suggest doing it once a week first and do it on days when ample preparation can be done the night before. Once familiarity with route conditions, proficiency in basic cycling skills, and ability to do basic bicycle maintenance are gained, then being a full-time bike commuter will be a simpler and more enjoyable experience.

This is a post in progress so if there suggestions, questions, and reactions, feel free to comment or contact me so I can add more information here.