Six Tips for Riding Safely to Work on Your Bike

1 How to avoid falling off

Obviously you have to keep an eye out for errant drivers, other cyclists, pedestrians and dogs. But there are problems that are harder to spot. Drain covers and slick tarmac 'sealing lines' are lethally wet or oily: if you can't avoid riding on the >e sure you're going in a straight line with your bike fully upright. Black ice is worse still, since you can't see it. All you can do is remember where you hit a patch and avoid that place in future when it's frosty; it often re-occurs in the same location.

2 What to do if you're ill

Stay at home and get better. Most short to medium commutes aren't that hard, so if you're too ill to ride your bike you're probably too ill to be at work. If you absolutely have to get there, use a different form of transport. If you force your body to ride, it may reward you with fainting or dizzy spells at the journey's end.

3 How to avoid stress

Cyclists have more predictable journey times than drivers, so rushing is rarely a problem. The big stress factor on a bike is aggressive language or behavior from other road users or pedestrians. Getting into an argument may let you blow off steam, but rarely does any good. Better to rise above it.

4 How to deal with oil

Cycle clips and trouser bands are okay, but if you're wearing your best trousers you'll somehow still get oil on them. Gaiters or even leg warmers will keep dust bottoms cleaner. If you get oily hands then m full of sugar and washing-up liquid should our hands presentable.

5 How to carry your laptop

On your back, in a 100 percent waterproof courier bag. If you carry the laptop in a rack-mounted pannier, then the computer will be subject to a lot of vibration, which could shorten its life expectancy or even break it.

6 Why to avoid mountain bike mudguards

They don't work. Partial mudguards give partial protection. Down-tube guards are fine for deflecting clods of mud but do little to keep road spray off you. To keep yourself clean, use full mudguards - with a mud flap for the front mudguard if you want to keep your feet dry as well.

Mixed mode commuting: Flexible working

This can mean two things: you can ride to work some days and not others; or you can combine cycling with another form of transport on the same day. For example, bike and train.

Bike: One bike goes on trains better than any other because it packs so small: the Brompton. On certain train lines you don't even need a folder - you can put your full-size bike on the train without booking, and without fear that there won't be room (check with your train network). If you do the same train journey all the time, you can leave a cheap hack locked up at the station near where you work.

Accessories: Black Brompton front pannier bags are smart enough to serve as briefcases.

Clothing: As with roadsters, you should be able to wear your work clothes on a folder - as long as you have trouser clips.