Name: Ken
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Started bike commuting: 2009 (most recently) – also commuted in college (back in 1991 – on the same bike I’m using now)
Commute distance (one way): 3.6 miles direct; 5.4 miles scenic

Describe your commute: I live in Lincoln Park in Chicago, a neighborhood a bit north of the Loop (downtown). The direct route is on city streets with marked bike lanes most of the way, then a few blocks of white knuckle riding until I reach my office (after I cross the Chicago River in to the Loop). The scenic route is mostly along the beautiful Chicago lakefront bike path, with parts through Grant Park and Lincoln Park. Although Chicago is a great cycling city, and has really increased the amount of marked bike lanes, there is still no good way to go (that I’ve found) in the Loop. I’m a fair weather commuter – there are El stops two blocks form my home, and across the street from my office, so when I don’t want to ride, I can easily take the train.

Describe your bike and accessories: An indestructible, Wisconsin-made steel-framed Trek 950 mountain bike (from 1991, I think) that I bought new to use a commuter while in college in Chicago. It has remained my “city bike” all these years, (more recently carrying and now pulling my daughter on her trailer-bike), and became my commuter in 2009. Still has all the original components (except for the chain, and now has city tires). I wear a suit and tie at work, and so I use a garment bag made for a rear bike rack (sold by both Performance and Bike Nashbar – can be had on sale for around $50 at times) that has made it possible for me to do this, as I don”t have the space to store my suits at work.

What bit of advice would you like to share with new bike commuters?: Do it for fun and enjoy it – not out of obligation. It was more daunting thinking about commuting than actually doing it – just give it a try one day, and like most activities, you’ll develop what works for you. If you use a garment bag like I do, put the clothes inside dry cleaner plastic inside the garment bag – keeps the clothes neater and less wrinkled (I read this good advice somewhere, and it’s true). Also – you don’t have to ride as fast as you can (unless you want to!) – you can go slow and enjoy it.