Riding bike to work

[koji52]

Hey,
I'm getting a bike at the end of May and am planning on using it to ride to work to save up on some gas money. I have to dress professionally, meaning shirt, tie, and slacks. The problem is in the shoes. I think dress shoes usually have a wooden piece in the sole in front of the heel. My shoes do anyway. I don't think I should wear those while riding. Does anyone ride to work in a suit and have boots that pass off as dress shoes? Or am i going to be stuck changing shoes whenever i ride to work? Any thoughts? Thanks

[C-1_Biker]

I had some casual type boots from famous footwear I think that would work for a motorcycle although I never tried it, but they looked pretty dressy if clean. I only wore them with jeans though. I think the problem with wearing boots with slacks is that boots are wider and bigger generally than dress shoes so it might look a bit weird.

[mizoufiziks]

haha. I'm really not the one to answer this, but I'll just throw my 2 cents in.

When it comes to the shoes, the dress shoes are ok when riding, as long as you don't mind major scuffs on the top of the left shoe from the shifter. But yea, the shifter will basically wreck your dress shoes. Maybe carry a backpack to hold your dress shoes, jacket, gloves etc.

[koji52]

gotcha...thanks for the input...i figured i'd probably have to pack my stuff...i think all i'll have to take are shoes and space for chaps...thanks alot!

[Scott58]

If you have saddlebags change shoes when you get there.

[koji52]

is it absolutely necessary to have boots that cover the ankle?

[jstark47]

is it absolutely necessary to have boots that cover the ankle?

Yes.

Unless you can ensure that you will never, ever go down on your bike, and that nothing bad will ever happen to you, like a car cutting you off, even when it's not your fault.

Seriously, there's some horrifying video around of people crashing and mangling body parts -- like feet ending up pointing 180 degrees the wrong way. It's probably low probability, but why run the risk? I take my gear philosophy from this webpage, I heartily recommend it to anyone who asks: Timberwoof's Gear page. And yes, I schlep shoes along with me every day I ride to work, which is probably 30-40% of workdays.

[koji52]

thank you!

[Nalian]

You know, I never really considered myself one of those girls who is 'into' shoes but this next statement might say otherwise..

I keep a pair of sandals, casual shoes and a pair of sneakers at work because of my riding boots.

[koji52]

actually that's a good idea...i may have to do what you do there