Handy gear to help you survive the commute

A bicycle commute to work surrounded by rush-hour traffic isn't the same as a weekend ride through the countryside.

First, be sure to get a helmet ($20 to $30). Head injuries cause 75 percent of annual bicycle deaths, and helmets can prevent 85 percent of head injuries from bicycle accidents, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

Other gear that might be useful for biking to and from work:

• Lights ($35) for early-morning or nighttime riding. Get a white LED front light to attach to your handlebars so you'll stay visible when approaching intersections, and buy a red, blinking light to attach to your seat post or clip onto your back so approaching drivers will see you from behind.

• A rack or panniers ($40), either of which can attach to the back of your bike, to carry files, a change of clothes or other personal items. A small messenger bag or backpack might suffice but can strain your back. Most mountain bikes or hybrids easily accommodate a rack or panniers.

• Shoes with clips ($30 to $90), which will give you more control and power for the faster pace and tighter turns you'll navigate during a rush-hour ride.

• A fender ($15 to $25) to keep water from splashing onto you from your rear tire.

• A cycling computer ($10 to $50) to track your speed and trip length.

But don't drop money on loads of gear until you take a few spins out on your bike. "I always tell people to start with the basics and then come up with their own formula for what works," says Tony Leongini, manager of Bicycle Pro Shop in Washington, D.C.

To learn the rules of the road, consider taking a safety course, and read the Ride Better section of the League of American Bicyclists' Web site.

Near your office, ask local parking garages and your employer if there's a good storage spot for your bike. Parking your bike on the street? Don't settle for a coil or chain lock, which a thief can split with a pair of bolt cutters. No lock can guarantee 100 percent theft prevention, but a steel U-lock ($15 to $30) should keep your ride safe.

For added peace of mind, park your bike in a high-traffic area where a thief won't go unspotted, and don't leave it out overnight if you can help it.