I'm probably in a minority but I find having a mirror on the bike makes a huge difference to safety. Being able to anticipate what the moronic or just plain anti-social car drivers coming up behind are up to makes a big difference.

Apart from that it's the sensible stuff of wearing hi-viz / bright colours. Don't cycle too close to the gutter to keep out of all the gravel and away from drain covers - it also gives you some wiggle room to avoid pot holes.

Not a bad idea to have your lights on in anything except perfect sunlight to make yourself more visible from a distance.

Cycling quickly helps too - less impatience from any car drivers you might be holding up for a few seconds.....

I ride to work 25 miles across the Brecon Beacons, probably as rural as you can get! I use a hi-viz cover on my backpack to help being seen. You get the odd maniac who passes by too close but generally i find the traffic most considerate, especially the HGV's and buses. I don't do it in the winter or extreme wind/rain though because i personally consider it to be too dangerous in the dark/wet conditions.

Congratulations! Keep it up. Since we have switched to daylight savings time in Washington State I ride to work most days (6 miles each way) and take a ride at lunch time (another 6 - 12 miles). Hope you enjoy your rides and be safe!

Hi. Not sure if you're after this sort of stuff but get LUMINOUS clothing! I find orange or bright pink is most visible. Also as much reflective/high vis tape or strips as you can stand for early evenings. Been cycling rural small lanes my whole adult life and it certainly helps if the buggers can't pretend they didn't see you

I am also thinking to come to work on my cycle. Going to office will take 35 minutes (12 Kms) as it is downhill and straight. But coming back is uphill and it will take 90 long minutes. This bit is stopping me from cycling to work. I am thinking just to come to work on my bike and going back I can still take the subway. May be once a week I can try going back as well.

Finally I have started cycling to work! today was the first day. I did 12Km in 33 minutes which is less time than subway takes to the office. Cycle Express!!

I am also thinking to come to work on my cycle. Going to office will take 35 minutes (12 Kms) as it is downhill and straight. But coming back is uphill and it will take 90 long minutes. This bit is stopping me from cycling to work. I am thinking just to come to work on my bike and going back I can still take the subway. May be once a week I can try going back as well.

First of all, congrats on making the trip to work via bicycle. Welcome to the fold of cyclo-commuters. Be warned it is addictive.

Next, as you commute more then you will find that the hills you once dreaded now offer only training opportunities. Of course I still think of each hill as a waypoint on my commute but that is only because I move a little slower uphill. However, compared to when I first started commuting I am now flying up the hills.

Wasn't it Greg Lemond that said something like, "hills don't get easier, you just go faster". I find that they get somewhat easier and I am getting faster going up them most days as you will soon discover as well.

Chapeau!

I have about a 14mile commute each way, here's some tips:

My drive is only 11 mi, but I purposely make it longer to avoid places with more risk or more interruptions. Have a look at possible alternate routes that may add safety margin.

When I started, I would frequently use my bicycle rack on the car to drive myself to work, ride the bike home, sleep... ride in during the next day, then use the car to get back home. This has an advantage of being able to shuttle clothes (clean+dirty) back and forth as well as the obvious advantage of being easier (1 way each day instead of 2).

Make sure you are prepared to eat more to fuel the extra exercise, particularly as you go to back-and-forth in the same day. Ditto for hydration.

Get a blinking taillight as bright as you can afford and use it anytime cars are present. Also, get as bright a jersey as possible so that there's minimal chance of a motorist missing you in their field of vision.

Understand the bike/pedestrian laws in your area and follow them well. Don't assume motorists have done the same, however. Always err on the side of caution.

Finally, have fun!