Welcome to Cyclescheme's 'How-to' section - here we delve into all manner of topics that aim to keep you safe and supported whilst in the saddle. You'll find tips on road-craft, tricks to keep your bike clean and loads of general advice on how to stay safe and comfortable whilst out and about on your bike.
How to cycle in wintry conditions
Cycling to work is possible when there’s snow and ice but it’s not always prudent. Here’s what to consider – and how...
How to keep your feet warm and dry this winter
Your feet get colder when cycling than when walking. Here’s how to keep them snug whatever the weather does on your...
How to commuterise your mountain bike
Mountain bikes are designed for off-road trails but can also work well for urban journeys – if you make some...
How to stay visible to drivers in Winter
You can’t avoid darkness, grey days, fog and low sun if you commute all through winter – but you can make yourself...
How to commute by train with a bike
If your commute is too far to cycle, why not take the train most of the way and ride the rest? Here’s how to do it.
How to overcome hay fever when cycling
Cycling through the countryside on a summer’s day is glorious – unless you’ve got a runny nose and itchy eyes....
How to cycle safely near lorries
Lorries and other large vehicles are disproportionately dangerous for cyclists. Here’s what you need to know to stay...
How to commuterise your road bike
If you want to ride faster or further on your commute to work, a road bike is just the job – as long as you invest...
How to deal with potholed roads
Potholes are a danger to cyclists, causing not just bike damage but serious injuries. Here’s how to stay safe on...
How to remove and fit tight tyres
Getting tyres on and off rims can be hard work even if you have a strong grip. Here are some tips and tools to make...
How to store your bike indoors
No garage? No problem. You can store a bike in the smallest studio flat – and lots in larger properties. Here’s how
How to prevent rain from ruining your ride
It’s hard to avoid the rain if you’re a UK cycle commuter but don’t let that dampen your enthusiasm. Just make sure...
How to manage the heat when wearing a helmet
Despite being ventilated, any cycle helmet will make your head hotter. Here’s what can you do to avoid getting red...
How to tackle climbs are how are they categorised?
Could you ride up a Category 1 climb? How about a 33% hill? To understand the designations and get tips for tackling...
How and why to switch from flat pedals to clipless
Most sports cyclists use clipless pedals and shoes. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of following...
How does carrying luggage affect my cycling?
Most bikes will carry more than just a rider. The best method depends on the load, the journey, the bike, and your...
How to clean your cycling accessories
Keeping your cycling equipment clean isn’t primarily about appearances: it’s preventative maintenance for you and...
How to avoid numb hands when riding: Trek Guest Blog
Here are five top tips from Trek for reducing and preventing numbness while you ride.
How to cycle and lose weight
Packing a few extra pounds recently? Cycle commuting is an ideal way to lose that weight and keep it off.
What to wear when cycling to work
Cycling to work doesn't have to mean starting the day sweaty and dishevelled. Find out how easy it is to turn up...
How you can help recover a stolen bike
A valuable new service has been launched for members of BikeRegister, the national cycle database.
How to keep your electric bike clean: Canyon Guest Post
Riding an e-bike is great fun, but the idea of needing to clean it needed put a downer on your ride.
How to take care of your bike chain
Fail to take care of your bike chains and you'll work harder, ruin gear shifting, and damage the drivetrain....
How to save money on a new bike with Cyclescheme
Since you’re saving money and spreading the cost, even expensive bikes are affordable through Cyclescheme. But...
How to adjust your gears
Indexed gearing is great. Each click of the shift lever moves the chain smoothly from one sprocket to the next. When...
How to negotiate roundabouts
Impatient drivers, erratic signalling, and poor road layout can make roundabouts anything but magic. Here's how to...
How to cycle up hills (and back down again)
There are two ways to climb hills easily by bike. One is to be a racing whippet. The other is to make sure your bike...
How to cycle on dual carriageways
Dual carriageways are the roads of last resort for cyclists. But when you can’t avoid them, you need to know how to...
How to true a wheel
Wheel buckled? With a spoke key and some patience, you can fix this without a trip to the bike shop.
How to start cycling – everything you need to know
Thinking about getting into cycling but not sure how or what you’ll need? Start cycling the easy way with our super...
How to pick your Cyclescheme retailer
Requesting your Cyclescheme Certificate is super simple. Simply get your Certificate and choose where you want to...
How to get your cycling fix when working from home
Working from home during the pandemic means missing the morning and evening bike commute. Lethargy sets in. Time to...
How to get an e-bike on Cyclescheme
If you need some extra energy for your ride to work, an e-bike is the answer. Compared to a normal bike, however,...
How to change gear efficiently
Crunching changes, failed shifts, and stalling are just as bad on a bike as in a car. Here’s how to get it right...
How to cycle in low sunlight
Winter sunlight can dazzle drivers and cyclists alike. Here's what you can do to see and be seen.
How to know when you need to replace your tyres
A worn or damaged tyre could cause a blowout and sudden loss of control. Here’s how to spot when a tyre needs replacing.
How to use tyre valves
Whether pumping tyres or buying innertubes, you need to know what valves your bike has and how they work.
How to secure your bike at home
We rarely consider the safety of our bikes at home, that’s why Bikmo are here to help us out with their top tips.
How to choose the right bike for you
You’ve decided what type of bike you want. Here are some things to consider to ensure it’s capable and comfortable...
How often should I pump up my tyres?
Tyres that are too soft spoil the way a bike rides and make punctures likely. Pumping them up now and again is an...
How to follow Covid-19 advice on your bike
Cycling is a good way to make essential journeys or take exercise, so long as you follow Government guidelines.
How to adjust your bike, not your clothing
You don’t need to look like a racer for the journey to work. Normal clothing is fine – as long as your bike is...
How to ride on poor road surfaces with potholes
Potholes and other road defects can damage your bike or make you fall off it. Here's how to cope with badly surfaced...
How to cycle in the wind
Wind, not rain, is the cyclists meteorological enemy number one. Here's how to deal with it on your bike.
How to ride in winter
February and early March sometimes see the worst of the winter weather, but you can usually keep cycling so long as...
How to adjust your brakes
Effective brakes are essential for safe cycling. Checking and fine-tuning them requires few tools and takes only a...
How to beat the winter blues by cycling to work
Cycling to work regularly can help alleviate the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), otherwise known as...
How to dry out your damp cycling kit
Pulling on cold, soggy lycra and wet shoes for the ride home is grim. Here’s what you can do to avoid the situation.
How to keep cycling in the winter
It’s colder, darker, and wetter, but cycling to work can still be the highlight of your day if you have the right...
How to make your bike as good as new
Worn components will turn a thoroughbred commuter into a clunker. Here are the most likely parts you’ll need to keep...
How to enjoy a healthy body and mind from cycling
Cycle commuting improves your physical and mental health, as well as boosting productivity at work – so long as you...
How to lube your chain
How do we keep your chain running efficiently and enhance its lifetime. The answer is simple - keep it clean and...
How to join Cyclescheme's Love to Ride Community
Spread the cycling message by logging your journeys and encouraging colleagues and friends to ride. There are prizes...
How to manage chilly mornings and balmy afternoons
It’s going to be a beautiful day… except for first thing when you’re cycling to work. So what should you wear?
How to cycle on main roads
Cycling is more pleasant on quiet routes but main roads might be the only option for part of your journey.
How to teach a child to ride a bike
Do you want to teach your child how to ride a bike, but aren't sure where to start? We'll explain the best bike,...
How to: Handle canine encounters when cycling
Man’s best friend may dart in front of you, give chase, knock you off, or nip you. Here’s what to do if that happens.
How to showerproof your commute
Rain showers are inevitable in the UK. Here’s a selection of tips to keep you safe and dry throughout the year.
How to adjust handlebar height
Changing your bike’s handlebar position can take only a few minutes yet transform your cycling comfort. Here’s how...
How to take the load off with panniers
Give your back a rest! With the right equipment you can fit panniers to a bike that isn’t designed to take them.
How to cycle to work with less haste and more speed
Cycling to work in less time doesn’t necessarily require getting fitter or pedalling harder. There are other things...
How to carry a laptop on a bike
Protecting your computer takes on a different meaning when you’re cycling. Here’s how to transport one safely and...
How to weatherproof your commute
By wearing the right clothes, fitting the right accessories, and riding the right way, you can keep cycle commuting...
How to commute with confidence
Cycling assertively will help you keep calm, stay safe and reach your destination swiftly.
How to prepare for a 100-mile Bike Ride
It's not a question of can I cycle 100 miles, it's when will I cycle 100 miles? Prepare for a long bike ride with...
How to wash, clean and repair your waterproof cycling jacket
On the first really wet commute of the winter, you may find your old waterproof jacket isn't as good as it was....
How to stop brakes from squeaking
A noisy brake isn't just annoying, it's a sign that something is wrong. Here's how to find the fault and fix it.
How to go electric and never go back
Here's why an electric bike is the ultimate urban transport solution.
How to benefit from riding an e-bike
The uninformed might say "riding an electric bike is cheating" but they're wrong. Here's why.
How to cycle in London
Whether you want to commute by bike or simply cycle around London for pleasure, this expert guide from Cyclescheme...
How to track your Cyclescheme certificate
Keeping tabs on the status of your Cyclescheme certificate is easy using your MyCyclescheme account.
How to learn to ride a bicycle
It's not too late to learn to cycle if you never had the chance as a child. Here's how to go about it.
How to get back to biking to work
Holiday's over: back to school for the kids and back to work for you. Here's how to keep your mood sunny by...
How to cope with insects when cycling
Summer is the best time to be on bike but it's the worst time for encountering insects. Invest in some antihistamine...
How to get a test ride for a new bike
Taking a test ride or two before investing in a new bike helps ensure you get one that’s right for you. Here’s how...
How to test ride an e-bike
Fancy an e-bike but aren’t sure which? Here’s how and where to take a test ride so you’re not making a leap in the dark.
How to keep your hands warm when cycling
Whatever the weather throws at your on your ride to work you can ensure you mitigate cold hands.
How to avoid cold feet when cycling
Keep your feet warm and dry this winter with a mix of accessories, clothing, and inexpensive hacks.
How to beat the commuting blues
Bad weather, traffic, and tiredness can grind you down when you ride to work every day. Here’s how to find the fun...
How to understand lighting regulations
Many cyclists are in the dark when it comes to bicycle lighting regulations. Here’s what you need to know.
How to maintain an e-bike
Maintenance is an essential part of bicycle ownership, and this is no different with electric bikes.
How to ride an e-bike
Most "ebike systems" can be simplified into three main components, the display , battery and motor.
How to commute in winter
Winter commuting doesn’t have to be as bad you might think, with the right kit and some preparation you can still...
How to make your bike as comfortable and convenient as a car
Drivers don’t wear special clothes or have to fit accessories to stay dry or see in the dark. Cyclists don’t have to...
How to avoid commuting mistakes
There are plenty of beginner’s errors to avoid when riding to work. Here are ten of the most common.
How to commuterise your bike
Any bike can be a capable commuter, but if it wasn’t designed with transport in mind you will need to make some...
How to form a BUG, Bicycle User Group
A Bicycle User Group can help make your workplace more cycle friendly. Here’s how and why to set one up if there...
How to find routes into women’s cycling – your guide to getting started
Whether you want to be car-free, carefree, or simply in-control of your health; 2017 is the year to become a female...
How to get cycle training
Lessons are a shortcut to becoming a capable, confident cycle commuter, however rusty your cycling skills.
How to plan your route to work
Planning a route that best suits you and your bike will pay dividends every day. Here's how to go about it.
How to get your employer to sign up to Cyclescheme
You get a bike and equipment. They save money and get a happier, healthier, more punctual workforce. Everybody wins....
How to winterproof your bike in 8 ways
Bad weather, grime, and grit can grind down your bike and your patience – unless you're prepared. Here's how to get...
How to thief proof your bike
A few hundred thousand bikes are stolen every year in the UK. Don't let yours be one of them. Here are some top tips...
How to buy the right road bike
One calculation and a handful of in-store checks is all it takes to ensure your next road bike takes you smiling to...
How to buy the right sized bike
The most important quality in any bike is that it fits you. Here's how to avoid buying one that's too big or too small.
How to replace brake pads
Replacing brake pads is as easy as replacing an innertube. Here's how to do it.
How to understand hub gears
Simple to use and weatherproof, hub gears are great alternative to derailleurs for commuting. Here's what you need...
How to replace a broken spoke
A snapped spoke means a buckled wheel that will wobble and maybe rub the brakes. Fitting a replacement is easier...
How to set off on your bike
The right road position, gear selection, and technique can save you energy and keep you safer. Here's what to consider.
How to use hand signals on a bike
Cycle commuting is quicker and safer when drivers immediately understand where you're going next.
How to approach and pass through traffic lights on a bike
Stop at red, go on green: traffic lights are simple, aren't they? For cycle commuters, there's a few other things to...
How to clean your bike
A clean, lubricated bike is more reliable and more efficient. It's also easier and less messy to fix when it does go...
How to perform steering safety checks
A bike with steering problems has staying-upright problems. These simple safety checks should keep you rubber side down.
How to look over your shoulder when riding a bike
Looking over your shoulder effectively is crucial for monitoring traffic behind and making manoeuvres safe.
How to fix a puncture
A flat tyre does not be the end of your ride. Within minutes you can be out on your bike if you have a few spares to...
How to understand derailleur gears
So your new bike has a 50-34 chainset and a 12-28 cassette. What does that mean?
How to pass T junctions and side roads safely
Traffic leaving or entering a side road won't always give way to you as you ride along. Here's what you can do about it.
How to ride after dark
With good lights and sensible precautions, cycling at night is straightforward and only a little slower than doing...
How to cycle safely with Lorries
To share the road safely with trucks, it’s essential to understand their blindspots and turning dynamics – and to...
How to split your commute by bike
When the journey to work is too far to cycle, take your bike by car or public transport and cycle part way instead!
How to stay upright when cycling on slippery roads
More rainfall in the autumn means less grip on the roads. Here's what to look out for and how to deal with it.
How to take care of your skin in summer
Don't let sunburn, rashes or chafing spoil your cycling when the weather is at its best. Here's how to look after...
How to ride on multi-lane roads
As a cyclist, extra lanes can be daunting, whether they're at junctions, on busy urban streets, or dual...
Bicycle Comfort: How to Get More Comfortable On Your Bike
Don't put up with a sore backside, tingling hands, or other aches and pains. Fit the bike parts your body and riding...
How to: Cycle Slower & Arrive Faster
In urban areas, bikes are faster than cars like tortoises are faster than hares. Going faster isn't about sweating...
How to use your commute as training
If your time for training is limited, maximising your gains from any time available for cycling is essential and, if...
How to eat right when you are cycling to work
Food is your fuel when you’re cycling to work. So what should you be putting in the tank - and when?
How to replace your bike chain
Chains wear out faster than you think. Here’s why you need to check your bike’s - and how. It’ll save you lots of...
How to do the weekly shop by bike
If you can push it in a trolley, you can transport it by pedal power. You will need a bike with luggage capacity;...
How to communicate with drivers
It's not a war, it's negotiation. Sometimes careless people – on four wheels, two wheels or on foot – will do...
How to act after a cycling accident
You're cycling along minding your own business, then BANG! You're on the tarmac. Maybe you've hit a pothole; maybe a...
How to ride to work (the easy way)
According to the Office of National Statistics (and it should know) 83% of the working population of England and...
How to follow the commuting 10 commandments
Busy roads can make cycling to work seem daunting, especially if it's been a while since you've been on a bike....
How to make right turns on a bike
Turning right is easier if you're already in the traffic stream, a metre or more out from the kerb.
Layering Up For Winter Cycling - A Guide on What To Wear
Chilly weather is a challenge for cyclists: your head, hands and feet can end up freezing while the rest of your...
How to commute in the dark
Cycling in the dark is inevitable if you carry on commuting into autumn: dusk arrives ever earlier, and we lose an...
How to wear a cycle helmet
Anyone who wears a cycle helmet tilted far enough back that they can slap the palm of one hand against their...
How to Overtake On a Bike
In many ways, it's easier to overtake while cycling than it is while driving.
How to Safely Take Corners On a Bike
On a bicycle, steering and balancing are pretty much the same thing. Cornering is harder than riding in a straight...
How to carry a laptop by bike
Commuting by bike with an expensive, fragile laptop sounds daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Click to learn more...
How to ride on ice and snow
The thought of riding in ice and snow can be enough to make even hardened cyclists think twice before biking to...
How to stay visible to drivers
December days are short, and drivers might be distracted by low sun, iced-up windscreens or busy social schedules....
How to understand bike geometry
Bike geometry affects how a bike will fit and ride. Discover how bike geometry works, and how it can help you choose...
How to pedal
If you can ride a bike, then by definition you know how to pedal. But there's more to spinning your feet around than...
How to Encourage Your Colleagues to Cycle to Work
Regular cycle commuting makes you happier, healthier and wealthier. Click to discover 10 more foolproof ways to...
How to choose and use clip-in pedals
Clip-in pedals are, confusingly, usually called clipless pedals. That's because they don't use toe-clips, the other...
Group Cycling
Watch the helicopter shots of the Tour de France and you'll see the riders wheel as one, like a flock of birds. They...
Braking
A bicycle needs two independent brakes to be safe on the road. In fact, in England, Scotland and Wales it's a legal...
Cycle Storage
Whether you live in a mansion or a caravan, you'll want to keep your bike safe and sound at home. Here's how...
Traffic Filtering
Filtering means moving past queues of stationary or slow-moving traffic. Go to any town or city and you'll see...
Road Positioning for Cyclists
Where's the safest place to cycle on the road? The answer might surprise you. Learn all about road positioning in...
Park and Ride: Guide for Cyclists
Cycling is perfect for the last few miles of a long-distance commute. Bike-rail is one option, if you have a compact...
Keeping your hands clean
Fixing your bike can be dirty work. Road grime and brake block residue washes off easily enough with soap and water....
How to fix a chain
Chain wear is fact of cycling life. Most of the time it’s gradual. Our guide to chain care explains when you need to...
Taking Your Bike On a Train
Taking your bike on a train shouldn't be a traumatising experience. Find out the stress-free way to travel by bike...
How to safely navigate roundabouts on a bike
Negotiating roundabouts by bike is straightforward if you ride assertively and stay away from the edge - learn more...
How to fix a puncture
A flat tyre does not need to be the end of your ride. Within minutes you can be back on your bike if you have a few...
Changing an innertube
You get far fewer punctures if you keep your bike’s tyres firm. Invest in a floor pump (also known as a ‘track’...
Cycling in winter
Compared to our Continental neighbours, it doesn’t actually get that cold in the UK: average minimum temperatures...
Cycling at night
When British Summer Time is switched off at the end of October, the daytime commute becomes dark. That’s no reason...
Check your bike in two minutes
Give your bike a regular once-over to keep it running smoothly and make sure that everything is safe. Here's how...
Sweat free cycling
For many people the worry when embarking on a new adventure in commuting is not traffic or fitness.....