Is It Safe To Cycle In Winter?
While Britain isn't renowned for being a nation of cyclists in the same way as the Dutch are, more and more people are beginning to enjoy the benefits of cycling. A large part of this has to do with the improved infrastructure available to cyclists. While cycling can be enjoyed all year, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when getting on your bike during the winter months.
Any cyclist will tell you how important it is to make sure you can be seen. You might have gotten used to cycling home from work with the sun still high in the sky, but as winter approaches the days will slowly get darker until you're stepping out of work into darkness. Lights on your bike and reflective clothing are absolute minimum requirements - to really make sure you're seen consider investing in reflectors for your spokes.
In the same vein you'll want to be able to see where you're going. If your usual route avoids roads and doesn't have lighting you may want to consider a different path. If you're unable to see what lays ahead you'll not only put yourself at risk, but anyone else who may be in the area.
If the cold and wet doesn't put you off cycling neither should snow. In fact, you're likely to be one of the few getting to the office on time should you cycle as the rest of your colleagues struggle to even get out of the driveway. As always remember to wear a helmet in the unlikely case that you have an accident, and change your tyres to something with more tread to help you grip the road. Letting some air out of the tyres will also help in this department.
Obviously there is some risk involved with cycling in more challenging conditions - but the majority of cyclists will have no problem cycling during the winter months. While it is strongly advised that cycling on ice is avoided altogether, otherwise you can feel free to stay in the saddle all year round.
Any cyclist will tell you how important it is to make sure you can be seen. You might have gotten used to cycling home from work with the sun still high in the sky, but as winter approaches the days will slowly get darker until you're stepping out of work into darkness. Lights on your bike and reflective clothing are absolute minimum requirements - to really make sure you're seen consider investing in reflectors for your spokes.
In the same vein you'll want to be able to see where you're going. If your usual route avoids roads and doesn't have lighting you may want to consider a different path. If you're unable to see what lays ahead you'll not only put yourself at risk, but anyone else who may be in the area.
If the cold and wet doesn't put you off cycling neither should snow. In fact, you're likely to be one of the few getting to the office on time should you cycle as the rest of your colleagues struggle to even get out of the driveway. As always remember to wear a helmet in the unlikely case that you have an accident, and change your tyres to something with more tread to help you grip the road. Letting some air out of the tyres will also help in this department.
Obviously there is some risk involved with cycling in more challenging conditions - but the majority of cyclists will have no problem cycling during the winter months. While it is strongly advised that cycling on ice is avoided altogether, otherwise you can feel free to stay in the saddle all year round.
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