According to information gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2000, 76 percent of the 128.3 million workers in the United States drive alone to work. Only 1.2 percent use "other means" (motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, etc.) of transportation besides walking.

In Nebraska, 80 percent of all workers — or approximately 698,680 people — drive to work alone, according to the 2000 Census. Their average commute time is 18 minutes. Only 7,837 people — less than one percent — said they use "other means" of transportation.

In Iowa, a smaller percentage (78.6) of people say they drive to work alone. However, the percentage of commuters using other means was nearly the same: less than one percent (13,163 out of 1.4 million workers). Average commute time was nearly identical to Nebraska: 18.5 minutes. The national average is 25.5 minutes.

The following information will help you get started on your way to a safe commute by bike that will save on gas while helping you gain fitness through exercise.

Commuting by bicycle takes some planning and, in many cases, a few extra accessories. We’ve broken the process down into five easy steps:

Selecting A Bicycle
If you are looking to purchase a bicycle, there are a wide variety of options available, from conventional road bikes to hybrids to mountain bikes.

A road bike provides the most efficient way to commute, provided you are riding on streets or sidewalks. However, its lighter wheels and skinny tires make it more susceptible to flat tires or damage when biking on rough pavement.

Hybrid bicycles, with slightly wider tires and a slightly heavier frame, are a cross between road and mountain bikes. They can handle pretty difficult terrain but are still good for distance riding and are usually comfortable, too.

Mountain bikes are great for anything off the pavement, but are not necessarily suitable for riding on city pavement and for commutes farther than 10 or 12 miles.

Team Kaos recommends speaking to one of the helpful experts at Bike Masters at 129th & Fort in Omaha, to determine what type of bicycle best fits your needs. Expect to spend at least $250 on a bicycle that will last for years to come.

What Else You Will Need
You should always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (part of the Centers for Disease Control), bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.

A helmet should be feature a sticker showing it has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Snell Foundation, or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). It should fit comfortably and snugly in a level position and not rock from side to side. A bike shop employee, like the experts at Bike Masters, can help you properly adjust your helmet — even if you did not purchase it at their shop.

Other important accessories include: lights for riding in the dark, (you need these if you ride between half an hour before sunset, or half an hour after sunrise); a bottle cage and water bottle (for hot days, or long commutes); a bicycle lock and a flat fix kit with extra inner tube. You might also consider buying a set of reflector strips to wear on your clothing.

Important Safety Tips
Before you start commuting to work, it is important to select a route that is safe. In many cases, that may mean it is not the most direct route. It’s a good idea to test ride your planned route over the weekend to get an idea of the time and distance. When choosing the safest route, look for streets with extra wide travel lanes and low traffic volumes.

Also remember that bicyclists are to act as responsibly as motorists. Ride on the right side of the road — in the same direction as if you were driving a car. Be sure to obey all stop signs and traffic lights. Use hand signals to let drivers know your intent to change lanes or make turns. And ride as far to the right of the driving lane as practicable, keeping an eye out for gutters and potholes.

You might also explore whether there is someone who lives near you who might want to ride to work, too. Knowing that someone is counting on you to ride can strengthen your resolve to commute by bike. It can also be safer to ride as a pair. You will be more visible on the road and have someone to help you in case of emergency. Remember, it is always best to ride single file on city streets.

Getting There
During the past decade, few metropolitan areas have developed their recreational trail systems as rapidly as the Omaha metropolitan area. Approximately 67 miles of paved recreational trails are in place in Omaha, with another 35 miles scheduled for completion within the next eight years.

Many of these trails run north to south, but provide a safe option to bypass busy thoroughfares and intersections. For a printable trail map of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area, click here. (Requires Acrobat Reader).

Once You Arrive
If you do not have showers at your workplace or school, one option is to work out a joint-use agreement with a nearby building or business that does. A second option is to wait 10 minutes after you arrive, then use a wash cloth and towel to refresh yourself in the washroom before changing into business attire.

You might also want to stock a locker with clothes for a few days or hang a garment bag on the back of the office door.

If you are riding to work in your regular clothing, consider using a rubber band or other adhesive tie to keep the edge of your right pant leg from becoming stuck, damaged or greased up by the chain.

Finally, if you have any questions about the information contained above, feel free to contact us. Team Kaos is one of the premier bicycling clubs and racing teams in the Midwest. We want to share our expertise with you to help grow the sport even more.