Bike to work? No sweat

Maria Popova rides her bike 15 blocks to work almost every day because it is good for the environment and it gets her there faster than SEPTA. Commuting is one of her favorite parts of the day.

Rain, wind, snow - nothing stops her.

"One morning when the snow was particularly bad, I remember pedaling and the bike barely moving," said Popova, 24, who works at Stick and Move, an ad agency. "Pedestrians passing me by, raised eyebrows and all, but I was too stubborn to suck it up and cab it."

Devoted? Yes. Must you sacrifice comfort and well-being to bike to work? No.

Commuting on a bike is a simple way to go green, get fit - and avoid gas-price woes.

Yet, anyone who has ever considered the switch has inevitably had to consider two things: safety and the sweat factor.

We all know sweat happens, but re-coifing at the office can be simple.

Obviously, if your workplace offers showers, that's ideal. Even a membership at a nearby gym can get you cleaned up before you walk through the office doors.

If neither of those is an option, don't fret, says George Preti. His laboratory at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia specializes in the components of human odor. He advises cycling commuters to shower before they leave the house and bring with them a change of clothing, a towel or moist towelettes, and toiletries such as deodorant and hair gel.

Other alternatives include carrying your professional clothing in a waterproof bag or picking up your clothes from a dry cleaner close to the office.

"You will not be stinky," Preti said.

In fact, Dave Glowacz, author of the how-to guide Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, surveyed hundreds of cyclists across the country and found that 85 percent of bike commuters do not shower when they get to work.

The harder you cycle, the more you sweat, so leave a bit earlier and ride to work at a leisurely pace. Or, if you still want a good workout, blogger Tim Grahl recommends slowing down five to 10 minutes from work. The cool-down will allow you to stop sweating before you reach the office.

Still not satisfied?

Performance athletic gear with wicking properties can prevent odor, says Mark Sunderland, assistant dean of the Philadelphia School of Engineering and Textiles.

While cotton T-shirts absorb moisture, sports clothing transports the moisture across the fiber surfaces. Preventing moisture accumulation prevents odor.

Premium garments include various technologies such as silver fiber, charcoal, or ground crab shells. Clothing made with these elements prevents odor by capturing it or stopping the growth of odor-causing microbes. Prices for a sweat-wicking shirt can range from $15 to $100.

Just remember to layer the wicking garments from the inside out. Performance gear doesn't work if you wear moisture-trapping cotton underwear underneath.

Of course, there's more to looking presentable than just making sure you smell sweet - especially for women.

"Business attire for men is just that: attire," Popova said. "But for women, there are all those other layers that are implicitly expected: hair, makeup, general put-togetherness - all of which get thrown off by a windy, sweaty or rainy bike ride into the office."

Women can protect their hair by pulling it into a loose bun and tucking it into their helmet.

For the Tour de France, the Scranton-based silver fiber producer X-Static created moisture-wicking pads for Bell-brand helmets - available in the United States in October. In the meantime, use a headband to control sweat at the hairline, or bring an extra blow-dryer to work.

Lastly, makeup can be applied post-ride.

But bike commuters have more to worry about than odor - cycling can be dangerous if you don't know the rules of the road. The safest approach is to maximize time spent on trails and bike paths.

To date, the Bicycling Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has printed more than 100,000 bike maps of Philadelphia, available at most regional bike stores, and an updated version will be available in the next year, said Alex Doty, executive director of the coalition.

Also, the coalition is launching a bike ambassador program this month in which volunteers will station themselves throughout the city to answer bike-related questions.

Bryan VanArsdale, owner of Bicycle Revolutions in Queen Village, promotes cycling as the most hassle-free way to get around the city.

"Our public transportation leaves much to be desired, taxis are increasingly more expensive, driving is costly with gas and parking," VanArsdale said. "We have definitely seen more new cyclists getting started this season."

Sales numbers of Philadelphia-based Fuji bikes are testament to the upsurge in popularity of commuter bicycles. It witnessed a 50 percent increase over the last 12 months in the number of its commuter style bikes sold, compared with the same time period from 2006 to 2007. National sales manager Roy Hough said their Draft, Lager and Premium Brew brand bikes are good for the commute because they are relatively inexpensive (prices range from $280 to $1,060), have one speed, and normally adjustable parts are bolted down.

Another option is the lightweight foldable bike. Josh Kaplowitz, 29, an associate lawyer at Drinker Biddle & Reath, uses one because it lets him bike one way and take the train on his return to avoid biking in inclement weather or in the dark. While SEPTA does not allow regular bikes on rail lines during peak hours, foldable bikes can be brought aboard any time.

Wear fluorescent colors to be more visible to drivers, especially if you bike before dawn or after dusk.

"Usually I wear bright colors, because it sometimes feels like the cars on the road are trying to kill you," said Todd Albert, 47, a surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Daniel P. Reilly, 34, an associate lawyer with Drinker Biddle & Reath, just started biking the 15 miles to work. As a commuting-by-bike novice, he rides once a week and only on days when he knows he can leave before it gets dark.

If you are just beginning to bike to work, follow Reilly's example and keep things simple. People begin biking for many reasons, but stick with it only if it is fun.

Many people are riding bikes in Philadelphia without knowing the rules. We're betting that just this week a rogue cyclist almost ran you over on the sidewalk. Here's how to ride correctly.