I follow nearly all of the "best practice" oboe rules -- I don't eat/I brush my teeth before I play, I soak my reed in water and warmup my instrument with my hands before playing,etc. But I'm playing in a band now that meets at a time where it'd be much more convenient for me to ride my bike than take the bus to it.

My question is, is the jostling you get while riding a bike too damaging to the oboe, or do other people do it and it's fine? I've always avoided it (city riding has lots of potholes and such) in favor of the bus, but now that's going to be annoying. Any advice?

I would probably do it.

It might be best if the instrument was attached to your body, not to the bike (like in a backpack). That way YOU could provide some degree of shock absorption.

A good case in a back pack, or a good backpack case. A friend of mine at UCLA rode a motorcycle and never had any problems with hers. In fact once she was hit by a car and there was no damage to the oboe at all.

The damage will come from the oboe floating around inside a loose case. If the oboe is secure and the case is not being repeatedly hit directly you should be fine.

A case with straps will do, wear it on your back and your oboe will be fine. Just DON'T DROP IT!

Thanks so much for the responses, makes me feel a little safer about doing it!

I just had to laugh when I saw the heading. I thought you meant bike while simultaneously playing the oboe. Seriously, I rode my bike while carrying my wood clarinet in a quality case all through high school without incident. Just make sure the instrument warms to room temperature before you play it.