4 Tips to Help You Prep for Bike to Work Day

From double-locks to extra-strength deodorant, our May Commute Challenge Winners offer pro tips to prepare you for Bike to Work Day on May 15 (and beyond). Congratulations to Katherine Li, M. Eugenia Smith, and Ayla Pamukcu.

Pro Tips 1 & 2: INVEST IN A DECENT BIKE & TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STANFORD’S 10 BIKE REPAIR STANDS

“I love riding my bike to work from East Palo Alto every day. When I don't bike, I take the bus. My advice: invest in a nice, non-junker bike to live a car-free lifestyle. It makes biking so much more enjoyable. The bike repair stands on campus are also convenient for inflating my tires when they’re low.”
— Katherine Li, Sustainability Technology & Business Analyst, Stanford Sustainability Accelerator

Pro Tip 3: SECURE YOUR BIKE WITH TWO LOCKS (U-SHAPED)

“I'm incredibly grateful to live in Redwood City, four miles away from my office on campus, and I particularly love the Campus Bike Shop, which has the best customer service for my e-bike. My best advice: buy two locks, one for the front and one for the rear, and secure your bike against racks to deter theft.”
— M. Eugenia Smith, Senior Administrative Division Director, SOM Surgery Department

Pro Tip 4: BUY DEODERANT AND A BRUSH TO STASH IN YOUR WORK BAG

“I bike daily to work and my kids’ school and daycare. It’s three miles each way from our home in mid-town Palo Alto. Having a bike setup that allows me not to carry anything on my back (e.g., basket or panniers) helps a lot, especially if I want to shed layers along the way. The biggest challenge is making myself presentable once I’ve arrived. Having face wash, deodorant, and a hairbrush stored at work is helpful.”
— Ayla Pamukcu, Assistant Professor of Earth and Planetary Science