Commuting to work by cycling advice

[Yukbuck]

Keen cyclists... I need advice. Like basic everything I should know about keeping safe on the bike. I'm going to start commuting to work by bike... it's not far.. a couple of miles but I live in a city so want to be dressed as safely as possible.
So I've got my bike lights... do both need to be flashing? Or just normal light? I'm planning on getting a reflector bag cover for my rucksack. Anything else? I have a helmet. Will my black coat be ok if I've got a reflector vest on?
And do you use no lights during the day ? (In winter) unless it's a dull day? Sorry if these are all stupid questions. I want to make sure I'm doing things right from the off!

Op, we hope you don't mind but it was suggested that your thread was moved to the Cycling topic and we've done that now, in the hope that you get some useful advice on there.

@Loumumsnet - the only reason this got so many helpful responses so quickly was because it wasn't in the Cycling topic.

Please, please please move Cycling out of "In the Club" where no one can find it and somewhere more appropriate like "Health/Fitness" (admittedly I'm on the app at the moment and can't see if it has already been moved, but I know we'd asked for that years ago and nothing was done )

prettybird is absolutely right. No one can find cycling.

I agree - and us commuters don’t really look st the cycling topic.

Thanks for everyone's tips!! Lots to think about over the next few weeks. Certainly won't be starting tomorrow with this weather.

I've been cycling to work for 25 years, do lots of other cycling (about 4-5K miles per year) and also cycle after work every Wednesday evening (in the dark virtually all year. For a commuter bike you need:

1. Lights. I'd definitely have 2 front and 2 rear lights, so if one fails you can still get home/to work.
2. Mudguards. A bike that's constantly ridden in bad weather will get it's brakes and other delicate bits wrecked by a constant covering of oily/muddy grit, so keep it off with mudguards
3. Clothing considerations. Depending on your job, you may be able to leap off your bike and immediately start work, or you might need a change of clothes at work. Therefore, a locker at work might be necessary, and a shower. In fact, it could be quicker to have your morning ablutions at work!
4. Route. My routes to work have always been on cycle paths and/or minor roads. It may be worth LENGTHENING your journey in order to avoid busy roads.
5. Good lock-I had one bike nicked from work-nuff said.
6. Spare inner tube, pump, tyre levers, head torch (which might double as your secondary front light)-it's a long walk home otherwise.
7. Maintenance-make sure you change the brake blocks/pads in wet winters often enough, clean the chain, chain-ring(s) and sprockets/derailleur occasionally.
8. Love being outside in the cold, dark and rain-marvellous!!!

I'd just give it a go, and don't give up if after a couple of weeks it seems a bit awkward or dangerous-the main advantage is you'll save loads of money. I currently have a Brompton with dynamo lights which I can ride in office clothes, fold up and shove under my desk, so as I only have a 4.5 mile ride to work I don't need to change or shower (nobody's said I smell any worse than on the occasional day when I don't cycle).

Where will you store your bike at work? My dh cycles to work a fair bit and has a lock that he keeps at work as it's heavy duty and too heavy to carry each time really.
Also definitely keep a full set of clothes (including shoes!) at work as there has been occassions he has had to work in his his cycle stuff for variois reasons.
Good luck