With soaring gas prices, many commuters may be eyeing that hybrid vehicle in the next lane with envy. But look past the Prius, and you could see an even more cost- and eco-friendly hybrid nearby, as more commuters have turned to biking to get to work.

According to the WorldWatch Institute, a four-mile round trip by bicycle keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air. It’s easy to see how bike commuting can quickly reduce your carbon footprint.

In addition to saving the environment and some buckos at the pump, bike commuting can also save your spirit, says Kathy Keehan, executive director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.

“For a lot of people, commuting in their cars is not all that great an experience,” she said, citing traffic congestion, road blocks and accidents as contributing to stressful driving commutes. “That’s one of the huge benefits of biking to work. You get to work in a better mood, usually. You’re outside, it’s pleasant, you’ve got some time to think about things. I find it way nicer than sitting in my car.”

So, biking to work means you’re physically, mentally, financially and environmentally better off than driving. Sold! Now what?

“Riding for commuting is a little different than riding for fun,” Keehan says. “You want to have thought about things like, how am I going to carry stuff? Where am I going to put my bike when I get to work? What do I do if I have to stay late and it gets dark?”

One thing commuters new to biking often don’t have to worry about is finding a bike.

Elizabeth Kiker, director of communications of the League of American Bicyclists, says many people have a bike they haven’t ridden for a while. It’s OK to make this your commuting bike.

“If your bike has been in the garage for a while, you need to take it in to the bike shop to get it tuned up. Make sure the tires are aired up, make sure the chain is greased. You don’t need a particular kind of bike or brand for your commute.”

For those who don’t have a bike already sitting around, there are several kinds of bikes to consider. Clif Bar has a neat tool on its Web site that encourages people to bike for trips that are two miles or less; it’s a “bike builder” that helps break down the different kinds of bikes and how much each bike can haul. Check it out at www.2milechallenge.com/#/bikebuilder.

Keehan encourages people wanting to buy a new bike to consider the urban/commuter/hybrid styles that a lot of companies are coming out with right now.

“It has a little more upright style; it’s not the racing style,” she said. “It has wider tires, which makes it easier to handle road hazards, if you have to ride over potholes or puddles, but not as wide as mountain bikes. A lot of them have racks already on them. A lot of them have fenders.”

Still, Keehan tempers that the best bike for you is one that fits you.

“The trick with the bike is just making sure that it fits you well, that you’re not straining, it’s not too big or too small, because that’s going to make it hard for you to handle the bike,” she said. “I recommend hitting the local bike shop and getting fitted. If you’re going to get a bike, make sure it’s the right size and it’s comfortable for you to ride.”

As far as other gear, Keehan and Kiker both suggest the casual commuter start with a backpack to carry what they’ll need to work.

“I just use a backpack,” Kiker said. “You don’t need head-to-toe Lycra. If it’s a fairly short commute, you can just wear your business clothes.”

Other considerations

You’ve tuned up your bike and figured out how to stuff your suit into a backpack with minimal wrinkling: Now what?

Both Keehan and Kiker said bike commuters should keep in mind that the rules of the road apply to bikes just as they do to cars.

“The bicycle is considered a vehicle in all 50 states,” said Kiker. “Drive your bike just like you would drive your vehicle. Make sure you signal, make sure you stop at stop signs. Make sure everyone on the road is aware of what the plan is.”

Many bike commuters will find they need to figure out a route to work that is different from the one that they drive. Avoiding highly trafficked intersections and routes around highways may take a little thought and experimentation.

Once you have your route mapped out, don’t forget to put on your helmet. Keehan said bike helmets are much more comfortable than they were in the past, with better ventilation.

“They’re not as difficult as they used to be, and you can get some new ones relatively inexpensively,” she said.

Finally, think about what to do with your bike once you get to work.

“A lot of office buildings will have a place that you can tuck a bike away, a closet, or an unused office,” Kiker said. There’s probably a place you can bring it inside.”

If there isn’t space in your building to bring your bike in, Kiker and Keehan both suggest locking your bike in a highly visible area. The more people who pass by your bike during the day, the less chance someone will have an opportunity to be alone long enough to swipe your bike.

Keehan’s final piece of advice is not to be intimidated about commuting by bike.

“It’s the only commute that’s going to make you feel like you’re 10 again,” she said.

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