As we are somewhat relieved by the recent decline in gas prices, there are still great reasons to ditch the car and start using alternate means of transportation. One of the more popular ways people are conserving energy and getting the health benefits of physical activity is by riding a bicycle to run errands, for recreation pleasure, or to get to and from work each day. It’s a great way to start a stressful day by cycling to work or to school but do you know how to do it the right way?

Here are 5 tips for safely commuting on your bicycle:

Learn the Rules of the Road

Since you are sharing the road with many other commuters – those in cars, on bikes and on feet – you need to treat everyone with respect and pay attention to what you are doing. The rules for riding a bike are much like the rules of driving a car. You need to rid on the right side of the road, with the flow of traffic.

Obey The Rules of the Road

Once you learn the rules for cycling, you need to make sure you follow them or you will wind up in trouble with the police. You could even find yourself seriously injured. Make sure you obey all traffic signals, signs, and stay in the marked lanes at all time. Make sure you focus on your ride. Being distracted by music and other things can lead to serious injury to you or others.

Be Safe

On the road, you want to remain safe. Wear clothing that identifies you to traffic, especially if you are leaving or returning home at dusk or later. Use hand signals to let others know your intentions. Don’t speed or swerve through traffic in a hurry. You can cause confusion which can cause unnecessary accidents. Also, depending in the length of your commute, you may want to wear more comfortable clothing and change into your work clothing later so your movement is not restrained. Wear a helmet and be prepared for a change in the weather.

Plan Your Way

If bicycling to work is not something you have done in the past, it will be worth your while to plan out a course in advance. Consider the streets and areas that may not safely accommodate a bike. Think about the easiest routes that will get you to work in a reasonable amount of time. Avoid highly congested areas even if it makes your route a little longer. Make sure you know how to take alternate routes in the event of an emergency. Spend time on the weekend checking out other routes that will get you to work that may be more scenic or more pleasant in the morning.

Make Parking a Priority

Before you change over to biking to work, talk to your employer or the building security folks an find out if and where you can safely park your bicycle during work hours. You will need to know if you will have to supply your own chain and lock. Make sure if you do chain your bike in a public area that it is secured and attached to an immovable object, preferably one out of the rain. If others in your office also ride, ask your boss about creating a safe space on the property for bike storage.

5 Tips for Commuting by Bicycle was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

In addition to the effect of gas prices, another hot topic is going green and conserving energy. While it may seem a bit old-fashioned, one concept to conquer both issues is by opting to car pool. Carpooling, the act of sharing a car ride by more than one person, can help save on gas and usage of your own personal vehicle. The arrangements involved in setting up a carpool system oes varying greatly. Some people will prefer to pitch in money towards gas and expenses. Others will rotate weekly driving schedules, all in an effort to save money and help the environment at the same time. Carpooling to some is not an attractive idea because people may feel a loss of privacy, quiet time, or just general control of their lives. However, the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages, especially when it comes to finances.

It may be difficult to find a ride-sharing opportunity. There are some online resources, such as eRideShare which is a community site for finding carpooling opportunities in your area. The service is free and may be worth a look. In the event the various online resources do not pan out for you, get innovative. Start a network in your office or in your community. Start putting together local resources together surrounding the people in your office and branch out from there. Put together a simple press release and let the local newspapers and radio stations know about your plan. You can start an inexpensive website to help connect the community to your ride-sharing idea. If you don’t have the time or energy to put together a system yourself, approach the local government officials for assistance.

By encouraging and utilizing a car-pooling system yourself, you can make a nice dent in the environmental protection of the planet as well as the safety of the roads. The more people that opt to car pool, the less traffic congestion there is during the commute, which can make driving more enjoyable and stress free for everyone.

Carpools Are The Way to Stay on the Go was created by and is property of American Consumer News.