Winter Biking
Brrrr! Explore the tips to stay safe and active in the winter!
Winter Biking Tips
Adapted from Biking in Winter
http://www.cityofmadison.com/bikeMadison/getBiking/winter.cfm
Being visible is your first concern in winter bicycling. Less daylight in the winter means you might be biking to school or work in the dark. Cars may not expect to see bicyclists on the road. So... what should you do?
1. Wear bright colors!
2. Light up your bike!
3. DOUBLE check your brakes. Yes. Double!
4. Tread. Good for your tires = good for you!
5. Use easier gears. Ride s-l-o-w-e-r on icy or snow covered roads.
6. Be extra careful of drivers!
More winter bike tips? Check out: The Rules of Winter Cycling, How to dress for winter bike commuting
Want to keep kids warm and dry on the bike? See tips on Biking with kids in winter, Keeping warm on a bike seat.
Adapted from Biking in Winter
http://www.cityofmadison.com/bikeMadison/getBiking/winter.cfm
Being visible is your first concern in winter bicycling. Less daylight in the winter means you might be biking to school or work in the dark. Cars may not expect to see bicyclists on the road. So... what should you do?
1. Wear bright colors!
- Bright colored clothing helps make you more noticeable on the road to drivers. Reflective strips on clothing, leg bands, vests, etc. also help at night.
2. Light up your bike!
- Bright sun in the morning melts snow and creates glare in the eyes of motorists. Glare, combined with dirty windshields, makes it difficult for motorists to see each other, let alone bicycles. Thus the importance of brightly colored outer wear and riding defensively.
- The melted snow means your rims are wet and braking ability is reduced. It also turns to a thin layer of ice at night, when you can't see well. Another reason for a good headlight.
3. DOUBLE check your brakes. Yes. Double!
- Make sure your brakes and gears are in good condition, especially cables and cable housing. Grease all cables to help them move smoothly and protect them from the wet and salt. Replace cracked cable housing to prevent water from getting inside.
- Use your brakes lightly, and remember that it will take you longer to stop. Panic stops don't work on snow or ice. Practice braking away from traffic, on a slight hill if possible, to get used to how much pressure you can use before biking to school.
4. Tread. Good for your tires = good for you!
- Tires should have plenty of tread, and the sidewalls should not be cracked. Use less air in your tires when the roads are snowy or icy for better traction. Studded bicycle tires are available, too.
- Make sure that fenders, racks, lights and other attachments are secure.
5. Use easier gears. Ride s-l-o-w-e-r on icy or snow covered roads.
- Use easier gears to pedal through snow and across ice. Biking in high gears can cause you to skid, fall off your bike, and put you in danger of getting hurt or a car not seeing you. If the front wheel is skidding around, put more of your body weight forward to keep the front wheel going straight. You can also put bar end extensions on your handles to keep your weight forward.
6. Be extra careful of drivers!
- Most important of all, remember you are not the only one on the road. Just because you've now become a master winter biker, does not mean that other drivers or bikers will know what to do. Be aware of your surroundings, so that in the event that a driver or other biker loses control, you will be ready to react so neither you nor your bike get hurt.
More winter bike tips? Check out: The Rules of Winter Cycling, How to dress for winter bike commuting
Want to keep kids warm and dry on the bike? See tips on Biking with kids in winter, Keeping warm on a bike seat.
