Five tips to bike safely in cold winter weather
“It’s not just about staying warm; it’s about staying safe.”
JARED KOLB
It’s that time of year again: The weather’s getting colder, and the roads will soon be covered in snow, slush and ice. But does that mean you have to give up your bicycle?
It’s more than possible to bike in the winter, says avid year-round cyclist Jared Kolb, the director of campaigns and membership at Cycle Toronto, a cycling advocacy and bike-safety organization.
He shares his tips on how to stay safe and have enjoy the ride, no matter what the temperature is.
1. Vote for mitts. Good gloves are about more than comfort — numb hands can’t squeeze the breaks as fast. “If you don’t have proper gloves for the chilly temperate, your hands get cold really quickly, and your ability to react to a situation plummets,” Kolb says.
“It’s not just about staying warm; it’s about staying safe.”
2. Layer well. Don’t just bundle up and hop on your bike. “You’ll get sweaty and feel sick and too warm on your bike if you’re wearing a parka that doesn’t breathe,” Kolb says. He suggests soft shell jackets and breathable pants instead of bulky clothes.
3. Oil your chain. “Extra grime on the road with constant freezing and thawing, road grit and slush, really chokes up your bike chain,” Kolb says. The solution? Oil the chain on your bike more frequently. If you don’t, it could slow you down, or even make the chain lock up, leading to an injury or a crash.
4. Add fenders. Winter roads are extradirty, making it all the more important to protect your clothes by investing in some fenders. “If you don’t want dirty snow, slush and grit flying up at your back while you ride, put fenders on your bike,” Kolb says. He adds that cyclists without fenders will often swerve to avoid puddles or slush, and that erratic riding can be dangerous.
5. Keep a lighter handy. Frozen bike locks are a reality of under-zero weather. Thankfully, there’s a quick fix. “It’s helpful to keep a lighter and degreaser with you to use to help thaw your lock,” Kolb says.