by, Anil Kanji

You’ve got the will. Now here’s how to avoid taking a spill.

At the end of January, a gaggle of cyclists of all ages and sizes
will get ready to embark on the “Coldest Day of the Year” bicycle ride
at Toronto’s City Hall.  This is no publicity stunt. It’s part of Bike Winter,
an event hosted by the city to promote awareness of winter cycling, and
part of a burgeoning mandate amongst municipalities across Canada to
make cycling year-round an attractive option.


Indeed, winter cycling is no longer the domain of daring bicycle
couriers or mountain biking aficionados. With rising gas prices,
environmental footprint concerns, and improved infrastructure for city
riding, commuting by bicycle year-round is a growing trend.  “We’re
seeing more and more people out there,” says Yvonne Bambrick,
spokesperson for the Toronto Cyclists Union,
an advocacy organization, who cycles through the year. She likens
winter biking to skiing or ice-skating: an enjoyable winter pastime. 
Debbie Field, the 56-year old executive director of FoodShare,
a food security organization, agrees: “It’s like cross-country skiing
and mountain biking all rolled into one.”  She enjoys the fresh air,
the exercise, and the challenge of navigating through snowy streets,
and calls her commute into work “the best part of my day!”

Have you ever been stranded in a transit shelter, stamping your feet
to keep warm, enviously watching the cyclists sailing by? Well, here’s
what you need to know to make the switch. But first, let’s clear up
some misconceptions:

•    It’s Unsafe: Although more caution is
required, biking in the winter is no more dangerous than driving.  “If
you can drive it, you can ride it” says Bambrick of snowy weather
conditions, advising riders to take the same precautions they would if
they were driving—leave yourself ample time to arrive at your
destination, ride cautiously and defensively, and check the weather
forecast beforehand you set out.  Toronto Police Constable Mig Roberts
of Traffic Services also reminds riders to be hyper-aware of their
surroundings, such as icy bridges, streetcar tracks, and large snow
banks. “Be aware that when approaching an intersection, you may be
obscured from motorists by snow banks.” He reports that November seems
to be the winter month with the most spills, as riders adjust to the
transition into winter. He also says that riders will be in good shape
“as long as [they] remember that they’re vehicles too, and obey the
rules of the road.”

•    It’s Cold: Contrary to what you might expect,
one of the biggest challenges with winter biking is how to stay cool. 
Bambrick dresses more lightly for cycling to work than she would if she
was taking transit. “You warm yourself up when riding—and it’s far
warmer to get on your bike and get going on your own schedule than
freezing waiting for the bus!”  She swears by ear muffs and leg
warmers, while Debbie Field recommends snow pants, big gloves, and good
boots.  (Check out our gear recommendations for more advice on how to suit up.)

•    It’s a Struggle:  On the contrary, most winter
cyclists report their commute as uplifting, and setting a positive tone
for the day ahead, versus arriving at work after being packed in with
other unhappy commuters.  The side benefits of biking are numerous -
you start your day with a free workout, you’re not subject to the whims
of traffic or public transit, and you save money.

As winter cycling continues to grow in popularity, infrastructure
and accessibility for cyclists will also continue to improve.  Cities
such as Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto are making efforts to
clear bicycle paths in winter, and many businesses now provide
employees with showers and convenient bike parking.  All that’s left is
for people to take the plunge, and experience the joys of winter
cycling.  Asked what she would say to hesitant would-be bikers, Field
smiles and says: “Try it!  You WILL like it!”

Get in Gear
If the thought of having to buy
extra gear turns you off from giving winter biking a try, just remember
that all you really need is a sturdy ride and warm layers.  The
following recommendations will just make the experience that much more
comfortable.

1. Tires: Regular bike tires will generally get you
through winter. But for snowy days, consider investing in mountain-bike
style tires for extra traction.  If you're feeling really hardcore, and
are mostly riding in icy conditions, spring for winter tires (yes, they
make winter tires for bikes, too), such as these studded tires from
Schwalbe.  (Caution: These are for extreme conditions only.) If you can
only afford one tire, opt for replacing the front one for optimal
control.

2. Eye Protection: Let’s face it, if you bike in
the snow you're going to get slush in the face.  Specialized eye gear
is a must.  A favourite of some riders (including Bambrick) are the
“blade” style sunglasses with clear frames.  I personally prefer
ski-goggles—they’re tough, practical and don’t fog up.

3. Clothing: A barrier for some commuters is the
perceived inconvenience of having to carry an extra outfit to work.  In
my experience, this is only the case if there’s an extra-special
presentation or meeting—I can usually get away with wearing my workday
clothes on the commute, under some warm, breathable layers, and a
waterproof-breathable shell.

4. Panniers: When you're navigating city streets,
the last thing you want is weight on your back. A rear rack and
waterproof panniers are a must for carrying your gear back and forth. 
The bonus? Extra capacity to stop for groceries on the way home.

5. Lights: With fewer daylight hours in the winter,
you'll want bright front and rear lights for your bike; reflective tape
on your frame will help motorists see you that much better.

6. A Winter Toolkit: As well as your usual patch
kit and bike grease, consider throwing in a lighter or lock de-icer in
case your bike lock freezes up.

7. The Rest: You should have a bell, and some sort
of fender—Toronto Police actually recommend against traditional
fenders, where snow and slush can accumulate underneath.  Instead,
consider a higher clip-on fender, or even a rear rack with a strip of
plywood attached.  Finally, don’t forget a winter tune-up to make sure
your bike is ready for the snow.

Resources:
The ultimate site for winter cyclists: icebike.com
MEC guide to winterizing your bicycle
City of Toronto Winter Cycling Site