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Commuting by Bike: A Complete Guide to Ditching Your Car

Thinking of cycling to work but unsure where to start?

Ditching the car and hopping on a bike for your daily commute can feel like a challenge, especially on rainy mornings. However, the benefits, better fitness, cost savings, and reduced stress make it worth the effort. You’ve already researched the health perks and checked for bike storage at work. So, what’s next?

In this commuter bike guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials, from choosing the best bike to picking out key gear and accessories. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider, these tips will make your ride smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.

Lets start with the bike, realistically any bike will do but some will be more up to the task than others. We'll break this down in to a few categories.

Road bikes

If you have a long ride and you can get the speed up there's not much better than a road bike. With higher gearing, drop bars and a lighter bike you'll get there faster but at the cost of versatility, comfort and luggage capacity. 
Genesis Flyer

      Gravel bikes 

      With a more relaxed feel and larger tyres, these can be a great option when you need to go on mixed paths and roads at all times of year. Typically geared a little lower to make the climbs and slower stuff easier.
      • Genesis Flyer – A single-speed, low-maintenance gravel bike ideal for urban and mixed-terrain commutes.
      • Genesis CDA 20 – A comfortable and durable gravel bike with wide tyres for stability on uneven paths.
      • Genesis Croix De Fer 20 – A versatile workhorse with a relaxed fit, perfect for year-round commuting on all surfaces.
      • The Gravel Bike Collection – Explore gravel bikes designed to handle whatever your commute throws at you.
      Marin Presidio 3

      Hybrid bike

      Hybrids are a much more relaxed fit, generally with a more upright riding position, usually with flat bars and low gearing, these can be great for riding around town

      • Merida Speeder 500 – A lightweight hybrid bike with a sporty feel and upright position for quick, urban rides.
      • Marin Presidio 2 – A reliable and low-maintenance commuter bike equipped with hydraulic brakes for city streets.
      • Genesis Broadway – A relaxed hybrid bike with comfort-focused geometry and durable components for everyday riding.
      • The Hybrid Bike Collection – See our full range of hybrid bikes for stress-free commuting.

        Touring

        Touring bikes are made for longevity and durability. With a multitude of carrying options you can mount most of your contents of your house to the bike. Perfect if you need to carry a lot of stuff.

        • Kona Sutra SE 2024 – A rugged touring bike designed to carry heavy loads, featuring a steel frame for comfort on long rides.
        • Genesis Tour de Fer 10 – A strong and reliable touring bike with plenty of cargo space, built to handle extensive trips over varied terrain.

          E-Bikes

          E-bikes are available in all of the categories we've just mentioned but with the added advantage of an electric motor. These are a great option if you've not quite got the power to get up some of those climbs and will keep you fresh for your day and much less sweaty.

          Pedals

            Clipless or flats, both have their place. If you want both that's also an option. These innovative pedals have a flat side and a clip side so you can use them both ways. The pedal collection.

            If you often ride in your work shoes and don't want to get them shredded by pedal pins, these are a little out there but with a Vibram rubber pad you'll get all the grip and none of the torn trousers: Look Geo City Flat Pedals

              Luggage, Panniers, Bags and carriers.

              There's a few essentials you'll need for your day such as food, spare clothes, a laptop, chargers and washing washing gear.

              How much you need to carry will dictate what you need to mount on the bike.

              Panniers can be fitted to any bike with the mounting points, you can then fit specially made bags to safely carry your luggage. The pannier rack collection.

              We'd recommend these:

              Ideally paired with some bags like these:

                Bar Bags and Frame Bags

                These are great options if you don't need to take a lot, they can stay on the bike or be easily removed to take with you. The bags collection.

                We recommend these:

                Backpacks

                If you don't like the idea of carrying everything on the bike or you want to be quick and sleek you can use a dedicated commuter bag, designed to help you be seen and to keep your gear dry and secure.

                We recommend these:

                Ideally paired with:

                Mudguards

                An essential item if you're riding all year round, it'll stop you getting spray and muck up your back and keep much of that grimy road water off your face. The Mudguard Collection

                Locks and Security

                If you live in a city or don't have a decent indoor space to store your bike, having a good lock is essential. It might not always keep the most determined thief from your mode of transport but it will make it harder and if you get the right thing will appease your insurance provider. We can break them down into three categories. Just keep in mind that the heavier duty and more secure locks will be much heavier and more cumbersome than the lighter ones. The locks collection.

                Heavy Duty locks

                Medium

                Lightweight

                  Clothing

                  Having the right clothing will change your commute from a sufferfest to a happy sunshine bike ride and can be the difference between sticking with it and going back to burning fossil fuels.

                  We always go for lighter easy to wear layering. Trying to avoid big coats and larger single layers that you can't take off or change.

                  Outer layer: in the summer we'd go for a bright or hivis gillet or tshirt. In the autumn and spring a softshell or windproof and in the depths of Winter a 2.5 or 3 layer waterproof. Most good jackets will have vents or zips to keep you cool and will pack down nice and small so you can store it.

                  Mid layer: Not a problem when it's warm, in the winter you'll probably want an insulated layer. We like a Gillet or a softshell that can double as our outer layer if we get too hot.

                  Base layer: A tech t-shirt or jersey, needs to keep sweat from the body, keeping you comfy and most importantly looking good.

                  Legs: in the summer we'd normally go for a pair of shorts, in the winter you can't beat a set of waterproof trousers. Pair them with a set of bib or undershorts with a good chamois to keep you comfy. These are available as tights or shorts depending on how cold you get.

                  Gloves: something bright to make sure motorists can see your creative hand signals. We'd get a summer and winter option.

                  Shoes and socks

                  An over looked but important part of the gear. You may just ride in your work shoes but if you can carry them, definitely get a dedicated set of riding shoes. This will help you stay dry all day and keep smelly shoes out of the office. 

                  Visit our clothing collections

                  Lights and Visibility

                  You might think you look like a Christmas tree but if you reach your destination without getting hit by a car then it's worth it.

                  There are a myriad of options but we like a good rear light, a helmet mounted front and a bar mounted front. You can pair that with a helmet mounted rear light so they can tell you're a human and squeeze out some empathy! The lights collectoin.

                  Puncture Resistant Tyres

                  Most bikes come with good tyres but standing on the side of the road, late for work and getting stared at by passers by can quickly change the fun to angst. These aren't the most supple tyres but will keep all but the biggest objects from letting your air out. The tyre collection.

                  Bike Mounted Cameras

                  For some people having a camera on your person can help dissuade angry drivers from pulling any silly manoeuvres. We've got a few options from Gopro and you can find them here.
                  TOOO Cycling DVR80 - Rear Camera Light Combo

                  Cycle to Work Scheme

                  If you have it then use it, we take most of the major Cycle to Work schemes. You can find more information here.

                  We have a dedicated bike sales team here at Biketart, if you have any questions or need any help let us know.