After two weeks of voluntary quarantine due to a short trip to Tyrol, I'm finally allowed to go out again starting today. As nice as working from home is, I'm really looking forward to finally getting outside again. Many experts consider cycling an ideal mode of transport these days. Professor Christian Drosten from Berlin's Charité hospital, for example, cycles to most of his appointments. You get exercise, fresh air, and some sunshine, which boosts your immune system. At the same time, unlike on some crowded buses or train platforms, you automatically maintain the necessary social distance from other people. For all of you who want to cycle to work for the first time, I have a few tips here. Because, as they say, every beginning is difficult, but in the end, it's all the more worthwhile!

I often hear people say they'd love to cycle to work, maybe they've even tried it before, but their route just doesn't allow it. Yes, those fantastic railway cycle paths don't lead everywhere, no question. But anyone who puts a little thought into planning their route is quickly surprised to find that there are actually quite usable cycling connections between their home and the office.

Cycling to work – the first attempt almost always goes wrong

Those who cycle to work for the first time are usually less than thrilled. The journey often takes longer than by car, and many automatically choose a "familiar" route they've seen before from the car. This route, consequently, runs right next to the road. This rarely works out well, and frustration is common. Please don't give up at this point; instead, start with better route planning. Try out alternatives, and you'll quickly discover that there are usually several options.

Cycling to work – the shortest route is rarely the best or fastest route.

None of us like taking detours. But if you check your alternatives, you'll probably quickly find that some detours are actually faster for cyclists. Which traffic lights do you spend the longest time at? Where are there intersection-free stretches? Often, it's simply the parallel streets that allow us cyclists to make much better progress. With each ride, the route gets a little better. So, check out the paths to the left and right of your main route as well.

Cycling to work – intersection-free cycling fun

You should definitely include car-free routes in your planning. On old railway lines or along canals, you can make particularly good time without encountering any intersections. Even a slightly longer detour is often worthwhile, as these routes save you a lot of time and, above all, a lot of cycling fun. The RS 1 is, of course, the prime example of this in the Ruhr area. But the others are also worth considering. railway line bike paths They'll get you there quickly. If such routes are roughly on your way to work, just give them a try. I'm sure some of you will be surprised that you reach your destination just as fast despite taking a detour.

Cycling to work – the variety is what makes it special.

These days, I almost always take the same route in the mornings. Obviously, I want to get to work quickly. But on the way back, I almost always choose a different route. The return journey is especially good for trying out and exploring alternatives. On my route from Centro Oberhausen to Essen-Kettwig, I now have five reliable routes that all take about the same amount of time but offer a nice variety. If the weather is good, I sometimes take longer detours, turning my daily commute into a leisurely after-work ride.

Cycling to work – Digital tools for route planning on the PC

I often find new cycling route ideas on my computer that can help me on my way to work. I work a lot with Komoot, because you can really benefit from the user tips of other cyclists here. Our new cycling tour planner.ruhr It can even help you find the right route free of charge. Under "Most suitable route," you'll see the red and white signposted cycle paths. This way, you'll be routed along the more bike-friendly paths.

Cycling to work – safety always comes first

Cycling to work means a huge improvement in my quality of life. But the whole truth is that cycling can also lead to dangerous situations. While most people have quickly adapted to the recommended social distancing, the same safety distance between drivers and cyclists is unfortunately ignored far too often, and cyclists are frequently overlooked at intersections. Therefore, it's especially important that we cyclists always anticipate the needs of all other road users, recognize critical situations early, and react accordingly. A cycling safety training course, and more recently also for e-bike riders, is therefore money well spent for every cyclist. ADFC Like some private providers (such as our colleagues at Simply Out Tours), they also offer such courses.

My tips for your first bike ride to the office

To summarize briefly, here are my most important tips for your first bike ride to work:

• Choose a nice route – the shortest way isn't necessarily the fastest.
• Use a good, analog map or a digital cycling route planner for tour planning, such as... www.radtourenplaner.ruhrI also enjoy working with Komoot myself.
• The signposted cycling network in North Rhine-Westphalia (red and white signage) also helps with finding bicycle-friendly routes.
• The more often you drive, the sooner you'll figure out the fastest and best routes. So don't give up too quickly!
• Pay extra attention to other road users in city traffic and anticipate their needs! Especially during rush hour, many people are in a hurry. This can be dangerous for us cyclists.
• Take your clothes to the office with you the day before. That way you won't have to carry extra luggage. And: A saddlebag is much more comfortable than a backpack.
• Don't drive so fast on the way there; you're not at the gym. That way you won't arrive at the office so sweaty. The way back is long enough...
• Choose the most scenic route home, not the fastest. That way you're rewarding yourself for leaving the car parked.
• Don't be intimidated by hardcore cyclists who ride in all weather conditions. Start on sunny days. Over time, you'll realize that truly bad weather isn't that frequent.

To all the professionals here in the radrevier.ruhr region

My tips are aimed more at newcomers to commuting. If any seasoned cyclists are reading this, I'd be interested to hear about your experiences commuting by bike and what tips you can give to beginners. Share your thoughts in the comments below. The more people switch to cycling for commuting, the more likely it is that important infrastructure projects for cycle paths will be approved!

For me, those first bike rides to work were associated with a feeling of "sacrifice." Today, I feel that same sense of sacrifice in moments when, for whatever reason, I have to drive to work on the gray highway, and then on the way home, a cyclist nimbly overtakes me in the rush-hour traffic at the Centro shopping center. Then I immediately want to jump on the saddle myself and start cycling. Commuting by bike has become a tremendous part of my quality of life, whether it's gazing at the rising sun in the Ruhr Valley in the morning or enjoying the peace and quiet on my bike in the evening.