All you need is a bike!

How to get to campus:

While bikes are banned from expressways, cyclists generally have many more route options than car drivers. Check out this map from the City of Windsor to see if there is a short cut you can take on a multi-use trail.

Is your commute long or through heavy traffic? A multi-mode approach is a great way to start commuter cycling. Drive or take the bus part of the way and cycle the rest. Or you might consider riding your bike one way and taking the bus for the other. Many Transit Windsor buses have bike racks.

What do I wear?

You can dress like Lance Armstrong if that makes for a better ride for you, but you don’t have to.

If you want to see people cycling to work on a daily basis in regular clothes check out this website:

Many bike riders recommend specific clothing and tools for commuting by bike. Before making any expensive purchases and packing panniers full of clothes and tools, you should examine your commute and lifestyle. You may find that all the extras are worth it, you may not. 

Here are some items you should consider:

Lights

According to Ontario law a bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise and white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on rear forks.

Bell
According to Ontario law a bike must have a bell or horn in good working order.

A helmet
If you are over 18 you are not required to wear one. If you would feel safer with it, than by all means wear one.

A lock
Lock your frame to a bike rack. Campus Police offer tips on securing your bike on campus, as well as a registry.

Laws can change so please don't take our word for it, check out what the Ontario government has to say about what is required when riding a bike: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling-guide/section5.0.shtml

These items, while not essential, may make for a better ride for you:

A change of clothes

It does get hot in Windsor in the summer, but if your commute is short you could wear regular clothes and just pedal a little slower to avoid working up a sweat. Otherwise, pack a change of clothes and bring it in your panniers or in your car on a non-cycling day.

There are showering and changeroom facilities located in the following buildings:

• St Denis Centre
• Education Gym

Tool kit
If you get a flat tire or a breakdown, you could hop on a bus (many have bike racks). You could also call a friend or a taxi. Otherwise, an emergency repair kit should include: hex wrenches, tire levers, a patch kit and a pump. Key to preventing flats is pumping your tires at their maximum air pressure before you leave home.

A basket or panniers
A backpack or messenger bag may suffice. A basket on the front handlebars or panniers on the back of your bike make carrying a purse, laptop, or change of clothes a lot more comfortable.

Rain gear
A rain jacket is nice if you get caught in the rain. If you don’t have one and you don’t want to ride through the rain during the commute home, hitch a ride with a colleague, take the bus or a taxi.

More links:

See what people who already cycle to the University of Windsor recommend for commuting by bike.

Government of Ontario guide to safe cycling
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling-guide/section5.0.shtml

A Guide to a Simple Bike Commute
http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/16/a-guide-to-a-simple-bike-commute

The Slacker’s Guide to Bike Commuting
http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/

Getting into Bicycling
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/getting+into+biking.html

Tour de Troit

The Tour de Troit is a bike ride that explores some of the city’s historic areas, takes in many of its most breathtaking sights, and provides bicyclists a unique opportunity to legally “take over” the streets of the Motor City.

http://www.tour-de-troit.org/