As the weather continues to warm up, more and more commuters will begin biking to work. Biking to work is not only a great source of exercise, but it can reduce a commuter's carbon footprint and help him or her save big on gas.

In fact, according to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), the average Canadian spends over $10,000 a year to drive his or her car. However, before making the switch, commuters should do the following to make their bike rides to work safe and fun.

1. ‍Practice your route on the weekend or drive it in your car to make sure that it is safe.
2. Know the laws that apply to bikers and how to interact with motorists while sharing the road.
3. Use hand signals to indicate stops and turns for other bikers and motorists.
4. Wear brightly coloured clothing to increase your visibility to those on the road.
5. Wear a helmet.
6. Make eye contact with motorists so they know you are there and can anticipate your next move.
7. Bring along a water bottle in case you get thirsty, especially on hot days.

Biking is a healthy alternative to driving to work. To stay safe, it's crucial that you remain attentive and cautious of cars on the road.

For a complete guide on bike safety tips, visit Bikemunk or visit Ontario Ministry of Transportation's site on bicycle safety.