As a rider, you must know the carnal insides of your bike. Take some time each week to explore the parts and movement of your steed. Buy a bottle of lube and give it some love. Make it a regular activity to check your bike over weekly if you ride most days. Check your brake pads, rims, tires, gears, and give everything a good wiggle. Curious about something you see? Do some research. Learn how it works.
Knowing, in this case, also implies a knowledge of how to fix your bike. Five miles may be a breeze on a happy bike, but throw in brake pads that are making love to your rim and the situation will quickly turn into the most miserable 5 miles of your life. These mishaps can be avoided by doing a quick inspection every time you get home, and before you take off. Carrying a basic bike tool kit with you (remember, you're already carrying lights around, right?) can work wonders for minor adjustments on the fly.
The better you know your bike, the better you'll be able to tell if something is off. You don't need to be an expert, but try to learn the simple repairs which only take ten minutes and a screwdriver will save you time hauling the bike around to shops. Riding an out of wack bike will cause more even more damage. Local bike shops carry an variety of bike tools--including multitools that fit very nicely in a frame bag, or wherever you stash your lights.
But, you ask, how do I learn how to fix my bike? Check your local bike shop for repair classes and join your local bike cooperative. Failing both of those, look into bike repair books and the interwebs. The resources are out there, the information is available, and you have the skill.
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