These people are already cycling to UWindsor

Bob Hodge (staff)
Total commute: 25km

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike?

Wear a helmet and bright clothes, then there's no excuses for the car drivers to say they didn't see you. Always assume drivers and pedestrians will do "the stupid thing" and prepare for it, especially at intersections.   
Look for alternatives to riding on the road, Windsor has trails and bike paths which might add a few km's to your journey but it's so much nicer to not have to ride on the road. Put a bell on your bike, it usually gets a better response from pedestrians than a shout. Know how to change a puncture and carry the spares to do it.  There's nothing worse than having to push a bike with a flat tire.

What is the best thing about commuting by bike?

90% of my ride is off-road, it's peaceful and stress-free.

Christopher Waters (faculty)

How often do cycle to work?
Daily - year round.

Why do you ride a bike to work?

Exercise, environmentally friendly, more relaxing

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike?

Don't ride too close to the curb and watch out for 'door prizes'. Also, lots of lubricant is needed if you are winter riding.

What is the best thing about commuting by bike?

My stretch along the Detroit River and Windsor's slowly emerging bicycle culture (I sit on the Windsor Bicycling Committee and we are heartened to see a great deal of interest in cycling).

What is the worst thing?

Disrespectful drivers (and scofflaw cyclists too!)

Nicole Noel (staff)
Total commute: 14km

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike?

You don't need the lycra shorts and funny shoes to ride a bike. I didn’t start riding my bike regularly until I stopped thinking of cycling as a sport and started to see it as a legitimate form of transportation. It sounds painfully obvious now, but before, I thought cycling required dressing like I was in the Tour de France. 

What is the best thing about commuting by bike?

It only takes me about 15 minutes longer to get to the University by bike than by car. Just by adding 30 minutes to my daily commute I get exercise without having to go to a gym. A bike does not pollute like a car does and I save money.

Jennifer Soutter (librarian)

total commute: 2.3km

How often do you cycle to campus? every work day until snow flies

Why do you ride a bike to campus? faster than walking, don't need a car, kinder to the environment

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike? plan your route to minimize travel on major roads; get city bike map

What is the best thing about commuting by bike? the "fresh" air, seeing the other bicyclists and arriving at work with a big grin on my face

What is the worst thing? drivers on the narrower roads

Dr. Catherine Hundleby (faculty)

Total commute: <1km

How often do you cycle to work?
I only cycle to work a couple of times a month since I live just a few blocks from campus

Why do you ride a bike to work?
For quick trips to pick up and drop off stuff.

How long is your commute (in km)?  Just three blocks

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike?  Use the rules of the road.

What is the best thing about commuting by bike?  Freedom

What is the worst thing? sweat

Dr. Gerald Cradock (faculty)

Total commute: 15km

How often do you cycle to work?
Almost always. Exceptions are when I have to carry formal clothing, something really heavy or awkward, presence of black ice, deep snow, or temperatures below -12C. I pride myself on riding every month of the year.

Why do you ride a bike to work?
If I didn't, I'd be 300 lbs. or have to stop drinking beer which isn't very likely. Mostly, though, I just really like it. Even bad weather isn't a problem if you're dressed for it.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike?
If you can, take a commuter riding course. Riding in traffic isn't difficult if you know what you're doing and are confident - but for the novice it can be dangerous. The big thing to remember is bikes are vehicles and therefore they have the same rights and responsibilities as car drivers. Stop at stop lights, stay off the sidewalk, and never ride against traffic. And always wear a helmet. You can go through a lot of helmets but you've only got one head.

Invest in some clothing. Bike gear looks geeky but it really works and tends to last forever. Bike shoes will alleviate any foot pain (because they are rigid) and fingerless padded gloves stop the numbness from bike vibration.

Finally, as my former mother-in-law used to say, a clean machine is a happy machine. Keep your gears and chain clean and invest in at least one tune-up a year.

What is the best thing about commuting by bike?
It keeps my endorphins flowing and in the winter there are no windows to steam up.

What is the worst thing?
Wind. When I get lazy I remind myself of a picture I once saw in a small bicycling newsmagazine. It showed a fellow who lived in Whitehorse and rode all year. His tires had 2" spikes, and you could only see his eyes he was so muffled up. I figure a spot of wind or rain is nothing compared to that.

Dr. Lori Buchanan (faculty)

Total commute: 40-64km

How often do cycle to work?
Most dry days from April to November.

Why do you ride a bike to work?
It is good exercise and more fun than driving.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike? Wear a helmet, find a nice route and remember that it gets easier everyday.

What is the best thing about commuting by bike? It is a relaxing way to start and end the day.

What is the worst thing? Windsor bike routes aren't very good.

Mark Gryn (staff)

Total commute: 20km

How often do you cycle to work?
- 0-4 times a week, depending on what other things I have going on

Why do you ride a bike to work?
- to exercise, save money and save the earth

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike?
- move closer

What is the best thing about commuting by bike?
- a great time to exercise without taking away too much time from my family

What is the worst thing?
- Riverside Drive

Steve Karamatos (staff)

Total commute: 14km

Why do you ride a bike to campus? For health, exercise and to save some money on gas.

How often do cycle to work?
Once or twice a week during the warmer months.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike?

Get a comfort urban bike, if you can.  Riding with a mountain bike or racing bike will put extra pressure on your arms and if you need to use a keyboard all day, you will find that a bike that puts more weight on your butt and less on your arms and hands is better.  Another cheaper alternative is to get crips that have "fins" on them that force your wrists to say in a neutral position.

What is the best thing about commuting by bike?

The ride through the South Cameron wood lot.  It's too bad that the city doesn't care about cyclists enough to maintain more paths through few quiet areas still left in the city.

What is the worst thing?

Having to ride along Huron Line for a while to get under the expressway.

Graham Staffen (librarian)

Total commute: 9km

How often do you cycle to campus? Every work day - April 15 (more or less) through November 15 (more or less)

Why do you ride a bike to campus? Variety of reasons (love of two wheels, exercise, cost, environmental considerations, parking, etc.)

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of commuting by bike? Do it!!

What is the best thing about commuting by bike? Fresh morning air on your face!!

What is the worst thing? Lack of a bike path on my route.

Email us about your commute.