Biking is a great way to save money on your commute, reduce your carbon footprint, and incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Research has found that biking or walking to work improves mental and physical health.

Biking

• Request a free bike plan from your home to transit: bike-information@stanford.edu or plan your commute with the help of the Mid-Peninsula Bicycle Map or create your own bike route using these past recorded bike safety webinars for tips. 
• Learn the rules of the road and obey all traffic laws
• Register your bike with Stanford Public Safety and the free Project 529. 
• Don’t hit the road without a helmet. They greatly reduce the risk of head injury or death. Transportation has teamed up with The Campus Bike Shop to offer bike helmets for $35. 
• Learn how to maintain your bike. Take a free bike maintenance class. 
• Have a repair problem on campus? Take advantage of the bike repair stations located on the campus. Locations here.
• Keep a change of shoes at your desk, and possibly a change of clothing for meetings.
• Use Stanford’s free Emergency Ride Home program if you have an emergency, including a personal or family illness when you’ve used alternative transportation to commute. 
• Rent a covered bicycle parking space. 
• Use a U-lock at one of the many bike racks around campus. Read tips on how to secure your bike. 

Biking and Walking Tips for Rainy Weather

You might wonder how to fit biking and walking into the rainy months or during inclement weather.  The right gear can help make a difference.  Extra caution is necessary while riding in the rain. Here are some tips to stay warm and dry and be safer on the road. If you have other suggestions or questions, send an email to commuteclub@stanford.edu.

Additional tips for biking in the rain

• Add bike fenders—front and rear. Removable fenders allow you to put them on when rain is expected and remove them during sunny weather.
• Use a front headlight and rear lights on your bicycle (required by law) for visibility.

• Use a seat cover for the bike saddle if you park your bike outside (a plastic grocery bag works great).
• Make sure your bike is properly maintained—brakes are required by law to be operable. Your stopping capability is diminished in the rain. Allow a greater distance for stopping.
• Pump up your tires to the recommended inflation (noted on the sidewall of the tire) to ensure improved contact on slippery surfaces and to avoid flats.
• Slow down when riding in the rain. Wet and slippery road conditions and reduced visibility for you and for motorists mean that extra time and care are needed to avoid sudden turns and stops.
• Take extra care when riding across metal objects in the street (manhole covers, construction plates, train rails, etc.), and on painted road surfaces. These surfaces are very slick, so use extra caution.
• While riding, avoid potholes, puddles, or piles of leaves that may be covering an unseen hazard. When changing lanes to avoid debris in the road, make sure you do a quick shoulder check to look for oncoming cars or pedestrians, and use hand signals to indicate you are changing lanes.

What to wear when walking or biking in the rain

• Try rain pants and a raincoat while biking or walking. There are rain pants specifically for bicyclists that taper more, but normal rain pants with a leg band work fine.
• Wear a helmet for every bike ride.
• Wearing a helmet with a cover while riding a bike can keep your head dry and cover air vents. Refrain from riding a bike with your jacket hood over your helmet, since the hood compromises your side view and creates a dangerous situation for you and others.
• Use a sturdy umbrella for your walk, but don't hold an umbrella while riding a bike. You need both hands to steer, and wind can throw you off balance when riding with an umbrella.
• Use light gloves for both walking and riding to prevent cold, wet hands.
• Wear bright colors and reflective strips when riding or walking to increase your visibility to motorists.
• Wear boots when walking to prevent your footwear from being ruined by mud and water and to keep your feet dry.
• Keep a spare set of clothes at your office in case you do get wet and use a water-resistant jacket that can be folded and kept in your bag in case of unexpected showers.

Walking

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/ozgurdonmaz

• Know safe walking laws.
  • Pedestrians have the right-of-way when they have the green light to walk.
  • If vehicles have a green light, the pedestrian must yield to the vehicle.
  • If there is no light, pedestrians should exercise caution and wait for traffic to clear before they cross.
• Map your walking route. Google Maps now allows you to plan a walking route with their mapping system. Visit http://maps.google.com, and enter your starting and ending addresses. Driving directions will be listed first, but click the option for “Walking,” and you’ll be provided with walking options.
• Calculate your calories burned: Refer to this calculator of Calories Burned per Minute Walking
• Once at work
  • Need to find the nearest shower? Send an email to bike-information@stanford.edu for shower and locker locations near you
  • Keep a change of shoes at your desk and possibly a change of clothing for meetings.