We're halfway through Bike Month, and it's a good time to take stock of your bike usage. Is that pristine mountain bike collecting dust in your basement, silently screaming "Get me out of here!" while you change out the laundry? Has your '80s Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra become a gilded relic from the golden age of when you used to ride it?

Guess what? That's OK! It turns out, it's never too late!

Start small. One easy way to increase your bike mileage is by replacing car, bus, or Lyft trips whenever you can. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 46 percent of car trips in the United States are 3 miles or less. If you were to cover that distance on a bike, it would take about 15 minutes. On an ebike? That goes down to 10 minutes (assuming 20 m.ph.).

In addition to saving you time (usually ... we know highways are engineered for speed), commuting by bike gets you out of traffic, outside, and into your mind and body. You'll get exercise, you'll feel calmer, and you'll get to ride your bike, which -- lest we forget -- is super fun!

It's not always going to be easy, but with a little preparation, you can commit to commuting -- and like it.

Watch the video below for a few practical tips that will help you ease into your new route.