njoying the exhilarating freedom and exercise provided by riding a bicycle
doesn't have to end when summer does. It is still possible to continue riding
safely and comfortably, even when the temperature drops will below freezing.
Thousands of cyclists in Ottawa-Carleton enjoy cycling all year, every year.
"It might take a little more planning to ride in the winter, but you can certainly be warm and secure with the right gear and equipment," says Ryan Lanyon, Cycling Safety and Promotion program Coordinator for Citizens for Safe Cycling.
To better prepare yourself for riding in colder weather, please follow the tips below:
Road salt will corrode your bike's components, so use an older bike if you can. An old three-speed bike works much more reliably in slush and snow than a bike with derailleurs. Front and rear fenders will help protect your bike from salty slush. Keep all exposed and moving parts generously oiled. Locking your bike outdoors all the time will slow rusting.
There is always an added wind chill factor when cycling. Dress warmly, especially covering your head, feet and hands. A light-colored windproof outer shell with several layers of warm inner clothing works best. Rather than a hood, wear a thin toque or headband under your helmet. They will keep you warm without making it more difficult to shoulder-check and see other traffic.
Wear bright, light-colored clothing. A white front headlight and a red rearlight are essential for your safety when you cycle in the dark and darkness is hard to avoid at this time of year. Reflective vests, rear triangles or ankle and arm bands are great additions for improving your visibility.
Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, where other road users expect to find you. Travel in a straight line, so that motorists know where you're likely to be, and you'll also be less likely to fall. Ride where the plough has passed, even if that means riding out with other traffic. Don't put yourself at risk by riding in the slippery slush and ice at the curb's edge. It's illegal to ride on sidewalks, and is very dangerous for you and pedestrians. Besides, roads are usually cleared and kept ice-free first.
Roads are actually bare and dry many times during the winter, but they can also be slippery too, especially in the morning with invisible "black ice". Intersections can be slippery, so slow down before turns, not when you enter them. Avoid braking suddenly and use your rear brake to test your traction. When it makes sense, walk your bike.
If you haven't ridden a bicycle all year, this is not the time to start. You need experience with handling a bicycle before cycling on slippery streets and you have to feel comfortable sharing the road with other traffic.
For more tips on cycling, to take a cycling skills course or for general information, visit Citizens for Safe Cycling at www.cfsc.ottawa.on.ca or call 567-1288.