Winter Bike Handling
We here at the getDowntown Program want to offer some advice on keeping your relationship with the road from falling through thin ice during the winter months. Let’s face it, riding a bike through the snow and ice takes some determination and resiliency, but to make the transition a bit less daunting, we offer some tips for handling a bike through the snowy streets.
While a sense of adventure is an important ingredient for winter cycling, never be afraid to slow down or even walk if you’re feeling on shaky ground. It takes a little experience to develop comfort while riding through snow and ice, and caution can go a long way. Remember that you can always walk your bike or slow down if necessary and always carry a lock and bus fare (or your go!pass) in case you get dumped. (Trust us, it’s not you! The road is just having a bad day!)
Just like any good relationship, the best way to avoid trouble is to recognize a problem before it starts. Recognizing and reacting to various street conditions is difficult to teach, and a little experience goes a long way. Here is some advice to get you started:
- Streets are most slick when it first begins to rain or snow.
- Metal, including manhole covers and bridges, are especially slick. If there is not enough snow on the ground to provide traction, avoid them.
- Fresh snow may slow you down considerably, but a few inches can make for pleasant cycling, and it is easier to ride in than tracks left by other vehicles. More than a few inches, and be ready for a workout!
- Heavy snow that has been traveled upon by automobiles can be the most difficult surface to ride on. Look for fresh snow at the edge of the road instead.
- In conditions where black ice may be prevalent, look for some snow or grit to ride on, which generally provide more traction and can serve as a “carpet” over the ice.
- Hardpack snow poses no particular problems if smooth (watch for bumps and ruts and avoid them). But if it gets a little water on it, be prepared for a slippery ride.
If despite our warnings, you manage to steer your way into the dog house, here are some techniques to get you back on the couch:
- Know your route, and take the road less traveled. This will provide easier riding and is also more pleasant than a traffic-clogged boulevard. If you know your route well, you will be able to avoid any problems or inconsistencies in the underlying surface that may be covered by snow.
- Slowing down may not always be the safest option. Speed provides momentum, and momentum keeps a bicycle upright. As always, use your best judgment.
- When it is slippery, take turns much more gradually, and don’t lean into turns as much as you normally would. Try to keep the bike as upright as possible.
- By contrast, in heavy snow, falls are usually avoidable by making over-exaggerated handlebar turns and maintaining forward motion. Think of biking through soft sand, on a warm beach, the sun in your face…ah…
- Learn how to fall correctly. Yes, it is possible to fall gracefully! Don’t brake a fall with your wrists. Instead, try to use your forearms and, most importantly, avoid landing on your head.
- In slippery conditions, reserve the limited traction of the front wheel solely for steering. Use your back break more and shift weight to the back tire by sticking your butt out behind the seat. Even with a locked rear brake, and a skidding rear wheel, you can steer yourself out of trouble.
- Consider lowering tire pressure when riding through ruts or rough patches of snow where automobiles have traveled extensively.