June 18, 2026 · 2 min read

Cycling 20 km to Work — Can You Do It and How to Prepare

20 km each way means 40 km a day. Sounds like a lot? On a bike, that's 45–70 minutes of riding. Many people spend that long stuck in traffic. But can you really do it every day?

How long does 20 km take on a bike?

On a road bike at moderate pace — just under an hour. Add 10 minutes for changing at work. Compare that to driving during rush hour — it often works out the same.

How to prepare

First week: don't ride every day

Start with 2–3 days a week. Your body needs to adapt — not so much to the distance itself, but to waking up earlier and exercising regularly. After 2–3 weeks, you can increase to 4–5 days.

Route

Plan your route on a weekend, without time pressure. Look for bike paths, quiet side streets, and trails along rivers. 20 km on a peaceful route is enjoyable. 20 km in heavy traffic is stressful. More in our article on planning your commute route.

Gear

• Bike — a road or gravel bike is ideal for 20 km. A city bike will work, but slower.
• Panniers or rack bag — a backpack over 20 km = sweaty back. Invest in panniers.
• Change of clothes — leave a week's worth of work clothes at the office (Monday morning).
• Lights — in autumn and winter, you'll ride in the dark both ways. Good lights are essential.

Sweat and hygiene

Over 20 km, you will sweat — that's unavoidable. Solutions:

• Shower at work — ideal. Ask before assuming there isn't one.
• No shower — ride slower (easy pace = less sweat) and wipe down with wet wipes. More in our article on dealing with sweat.

How much will you save?

40 km per day by car x 220 working days = 8,800 km per year. At 7 L/100 km and a fuel price of 6.50 PLN/L, that's about 4,000 PLN in fuel alone. Add parking, depreciation, and insurance — realistically 6,000–8,000 PLN per year.

Weather and winter

20 km in the rain is survivable with a good rain jacket and fenders. 20 km in freezing temperatures requires proper clothing. The worst conditions are around 0–5°C with rain — that's when even die-hard cyclists reach for a bus pass.

You don't have to ride every day in all weather. 3 times a week year-round adds up to 120 km per week — more than many "weekend warriors."

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