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To make the daily commute healthier for you and the environment, why not leave the car at home, avoid public transport, and hop on a bike? First, however, you need to make sure your bike is working properly and safely.

Click through for some bike maintenance and safety tips before you hit the road.

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Your bike is your traveling companion. Treat it with tender loving care and it will take you beyond your imagination. By following these few simple guidelines, you'll get the best out of your two-wheeled friend.

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Always carry a multi-tool kit. These compact, robust, and lightweight bicycle repair kits serve as a mini toolbox and can be stored in your backpack or saddlebag.

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Don’t let yourself down. Pack a bike tire repair kit. Perfect the art of changing a flat, because you’re not a proper cyclist unless you can patch your own tubes.

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Remember that you can’t begin to repair a punctured tire without first identifying and removing the offending thorn, nail, tack, or glass shard.

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A portable bike pump is a must-have accessory. It’s pretty pointless making the effort to repair a flat on the road without the capability to reinflate the tire afterwards. A pump is also a useful slow puncture remedy.

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Invest in a decent floor pump for home use. These pumps have the advantage of a fitted gauge enabling precise tire pressure to be achieved.

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Keep your machine clean! You can’t properly adjust and maintain a bicycle that is dirty and not lubricated.

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Keep an eye on your tire pressure, especially if you’re running tubeless. Too low and you’ll experience sluggish handling and a heavy road feel; too high and bumps and shocks will feel like getting slapped with concrete.

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If your bike makes an odd noise, or feels off kilter, it’s probably trying to tell you something. Investigate immediately. Periodically check for bearing play in your headset (the set of components that provides a rotatable interface between the bicycle fork and the head tube of a bicycle frame).

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An easy way to check the headset is by grabbing the front of your bike, squeezing the front brake, and rocking the handlebars back and forth. If you feel any movement, the component needs to be tightened.

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Check the tightness of your crank bolts every month or so. A creaky crankset, or chainset, likely indicates that it’s loose on the spindle. Remove the bolts, lubricate the threads, and reinstall.

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A few drops of oil placed on the rail where it connects to your saddle will eliminate annoying creaks. Use a wet and wrung soft cloth to clean the saddle. Avoid wetting the saddle with direct jets of water.

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Periodically check for brake pad wear and tear, especially if you use your bike on a daily basis.

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If your bike is fitted with disc brakes, avoid touching them with your fingers. The moisture from your skin can decrease their braking power.

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Don’t use a solvent to lube your chain. A solvent, for example WD-40, dissolves contaminates to get parts nice and clean. Thing is, this will strip away any existing lubricant, leaving the chain dryer than before application.

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Use a good chain lubricant according to your riding conditions. Apply liberally and then backpedal a few revolutions for an even application. Finish off by wiping the chain with a clean, dry rag.

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Know your valves. Schrader valves (right) are similar in design to those found on your car; presta valves are thinner, with a small nut that has to be opened prior to inflation. Keep valves free of dirt and grit. A clogged or sticky stem can interfere with air flow.

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Speaking of dirt and grit, check places where crud is likely to accumulate such as in brake pads, between tubes and tires, in cleats, cogs and pedals, and along the chain.

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Ever played a harp? Well the next best thing is plucking your spokes often to determine if any are coming loose. A spoke whose tone is different from the rest is on its way out and needs attention.

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Here's a great tip: the easiest method of releasing the rear wheel is to shift into the highest gear so the chain is on the outer (smallest) cog.

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Unfamiliar with a bicycle’s myriad components? Use a smartphone to record your progress as you disassemble something complicated. That way you have a pictorial step-by-step guide to refer to during reassembly.

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While sometimes not practical, try and avoid turning your bike upside down to work on it. By inverting the frame you run the risk of chaffing cables, accessories, and the saddle.

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Employing good old elbow grease is the best way to clean a bike. Use a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge to wipe down the frame. A rag soaked in degreaser cleans cogs easily, while applying rubbing alcohol will remove black grime from your rims.

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Storing your bike for an extended period? Shift to the smallest cog and ring combination to prevent pressure and wear on your derailleur springs.

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It’s always worth giving the quick releases on both wheels a gentle tug occasionally to make sure they are fastened down firmly and comfortably.

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How often should you check your bike? Well, that depends a lot on how often you use it. A general rule of thumb however is around every 320 km (200 mi) of cycling.

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As an added safety precaution, make sure your bike has reflectors mounted on the spokes of each wheel. There should also be reflectors on the back and front sides of the pedals.

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Ensure that your front and rear lights are always clean and remember to regularly charge each unit.

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Purchase the best lights for your kind of ride. For cycling in town, for example, look for something that kicks out a bright, broad beam. If you’re off the beaten tack, you’ll probably require a more focused beam to spot upcoming obstacles.

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And, finally, get to know a good, trustworthy bicycle mechanic. While basic maintenance should always be your responsibility, being able to draw on the skill and expertise of a professional when the going gets tough makes perfect sense.

Sources: (Outside Online) (Bicycle Universe) (Bicycle2Work) (Halfords)