“It’s better than coffee,” said Holly Strain, a registered nurse and transplant coordinator at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, about riding your bike to work.

Strain has biked the six and a half miles to UCH in Aurora several times a week, and she also frequently walks to work. It’s her way of getting the exercise she needs.

There are many benefits to riding your bike to work, from keeping your body and your pocketbook healthy to saving the environment and promoting safe-cycling community infrastructure. It also can be fun, simplify life and provide a sense of freedom.

The average bike commuter loses 13 pounds their first year, according to the League of American Bicyclists. And for women, a 30-minute daily commute can cut heart failure risks in half and lower the rate for breast cancer.

But despite the benefits, only 17% of Colorado residents use a bicycle for transportation, including riding it to and from work, for errands, to school or social and leisure activities, according to the 2016 Economic and Health Benefits of Bicycling and Walking report.

Colorado Bike to Work Day

In Colorado, June is Bike Month, and June 23, 2021, is Bike to Work Day.

During this time, Colorado joins a nationwide effort to encourage cyclists to enjoy the freedom and fun of safely biking to work, school, errands and recreation. Although events take place throughout the month, on Bike to Work Day, local groups, organizations and business set up stations along safe bike routes–giving away coffee, breakfast and swag–to those heading out on the bicycles.

UCHealth is no different. You can find UCHealth activities and others on the state’s website.

Vehicular cycling: Safety in numbers

Cyclists fare best when they act as though they are drivers of vehicles and, thus, are treated as such.

“Lots of people are afraid to commute because they’re afraid to ride in the road,” Strain said. “Look up a route that takes quiet streets or streets with bike lanes, even if it’s not the most direct route and take the plunge. Bike to Work Day (June 23) is coming up, so that’s a good opportunity to ride on a day when there will be a lot of extra riders out and support stations along the way.”

Legally, bicyclists must follow the same rules as motor vehicle drivers. When that does not happen, accidents do. Almost 40% of bike crashes involve a bicyclist who is riding against traffic and conflicting with cross-street vehicles.

For safety, bicyclists should:

• Use designated bike lanes, but when bike lanes are not available, or safe road conditions do not allow, take over the traffic lane and, use visible and audible directional signals.
• Wear bright clothing, use bike lights and do not weave through parked vehicles. Instead, maintain your lane position. Be predictable for others on the roadway. Be assertive and confident but also alert and cautious, as if driving behind the wheel of a vehicle.

“There is safety in numbers,” said Dr. Terri Marty, acute care and trauma surgeon with UCHealth in northern Colorado. “Data shows there is an inverse relationship between the number of riders and accidents. Denmark and Netherlands bike the most miles per person per year and have the lowest fatality and accident rates. That’s because there is a respect for each other [between cyclists and drivers].”

It’s a no-brainer

Marty, who has been compiling bike-injury data for UCHealth’s Trauma Research and Education department, can’t stress enough the importance of safety.

“Cars need to respect bikes more, and bikes need to respect cars more,” Marty said.

In addition to following the rules of the road, a helmet is another must for riders.

Brain injury is the No. 1 cause of death and long-term disabilities for cyclists, Marty said. And when a brain injury is the result of a crash, the person is 20 times more likely to die. Studies show that a helmet can reduce that risk of injury up to 88% — yet less than a third of riders wear one.

Many programs throughout Colorado provide helmets either for free or for a minimal donation, including Safe Kids at 970.495.7504 in northern Colorado.

No excuses

There are many options in bikes — from a road or mountain bike to the cruisers that New Belgium’s Fat Tire made so popular.

No matter which bike a rider chooses, it should be comfortable, functional and visible.

“Get yourself a good solid U-lock so you don’t worry about your bike during the day and a helmet that’s comfortable enough — and let’s be honest, cute enough — that you’ll actually wear it,” Strain said.

A properly fitted bike is important for safety and health. A poor fit can cause injuries, as well as create dangerous issues caused by improper operation of the bicycle.

Changes can be made to brakes, handlebars and the seat, and many bike shops will help adjust these things to fit your physical frame.

Before hopping on the bike, a bicyclist should do the ABC Quick Check:

• Air: Are the tires properly inflated? Is there a portable bike pump and/or patch kit on board?
• Brakes: Do they work?
• Cranks, Chain, Cassette: Depending on the type of bike, make sure the “guts” are working properly and are well maintained.

On short rides, carry a helmet and bike lock. On longer rides, grab the patch and tool kit.