Winter cycling safety tips / advice

[Bimble]

I'm in the process of buying a bike and will be using it for fitness and a short commute to work.

Are there any tips or tricks for keeping safe during the darker winter months.

I realise lights are a 'must' but are there any other bits of equipment or riding techniques that make things safer for you and other road users during winter?

 

[Coco]

My top tip would be to take it easy. It's not always easy to spot ice so just get into the habit of expecting it and plan accordingly.

 

[tyred]

You need to be even more observant depending on the weather conditions. Watch for fallen branches and other debris if it's windy (found a trampoline in the road once) and be very wary of black ice, be careful riding through puddles as they may hide a deep pothole. Always allow for the fact that rim brakes don't work quite as well in wet and getting mud on your rims will really increase your stopping distances.

Try and ensure any bike you buy has space to fit full mudguards (I would consider them essential, others don't), wider, lower pressure tyres help grip on winter roads. If you do decide to fit mudguards, a front mudflap is a useful addition to keep your feet and bike clean.

I'm going to be controversial now and suggest you wear a hi-viz jacket with reflective stripes in the dark as an additional be-seen aid to your lights.

Keep your rims and brake pads clean to reduce wear and clean and oil the chain on a regular basis. I always seem to get more punctures in the winter so always carry a pump, puncture repair kit and spare tube and a multitool and few other bits and pieces which you think will come in useful if you have problems when you when travelling further than you would be happy to walk back from.

 

[dellzeqq]

my top tip will be - don't beat yourself up if you look out of the window in the morning and decide to give it a miss. God's probably trying to tell you something.

and my second top tip would be to make a friend or friends. It depends where you are, of course, but if you pop over to Commuting you'll see that there's a joy to making conversation at red lights, and meeting people fellow cyclists that you know along the route will give you confidence - and it gives you the opportunity of trailing them in

my third top tip is to buy 'Cyclecraft' and to get hold of the 'primary position' and 'secondary position' thing. I'm not going to attempt to summarise it here

my fourth top tip is to be sure you can fix a puncture (unless you're disposed to jump in a taxi when you get a flat). Knowing you've got the knowledge in your back pocket will give you confidence

my fifth top tip is to look carefully at your fellow cyclists and attempt to emulate those who ride safely.

my sixth top tip is to think over your route, work out where you need to signal, make sure you're comfortable signalling and looking over your shoulder, and to have a strategy for each right turn. There's absolutely no shame in parking up by the side of the road, crossing on foot and pedalling off again.

 

[hillrep]

My 2p worth, in addition to the good advice above:
Lights - two front and two rear so that when one fails unexpectedly you have backup.

Ice - don't cycle on it. On very cold days gritted roads will be OK, especially if you stick to car tyre tracks, but side roads can be painful.
Reflectives - a good backup. Pedal reflectors/ankle bands are particularly good as marking you as a cyclist from behind. Personally I wear a Hi-Viz vest too (Cheaper and more reflective area if bought from anywhere other than a cycle shop!)

And probably the best tip:

My top tip would be to take it easy.

 

[ManiaMuse]

Earlier this year I had a lot of fun riding in Oxford when there was all the snow. Was riding a knackered old mountain bike with fairly knobbly tyres.

As above make sure you are visible and have decent lights. Having two of each is always a good idea in case one fails (you can always clip an extra rear one to your backpack or helmet).

If it looks like it could be icy take extra care, especially if you are riding on slicks. Try to stick to gritted roads and avoid manhole covers etc. more than usual. Be extra assertive with your positioning, motorists rarely factor in weather conditions when passing cyclists.

Make sure your brakes work/tyres inflated/all the usual.

Try to relax as much as possible, if you tense up you are more likely to be caught out if you hit an icy patch.

For cycling in snow:

Knobblies are best

For fresh snow - use a high gear to avoid spinning the rear wheel, try to follow other wheeltracks, avoid making abrupt steering motions and let the bike go where it wants to, relax.

Slushy snow is much trickier. It builds up everywhere on the bike, between the tread on the tyre, in the brakes etc. Difficult to get going again if you stop so try to keep momentum. As much fun as cycling through it is, sometimes quicker to walk through it.

Compacted/re-frozen snow isn't too bad actually as long as you stay relaxed and cycle confidently. It provides a decent amount of grip so just stick within your limits.

Ice on the other hand is deadly and difficult to spot. So best tip is probably just to take it easy and if you feel yourself sliding then try to go with it and avoid abrupt steering. Give extra distance to other road users in front.

Also wrap up warm. Gloves and a hat if you aren't wearing a helmet are a must. However dress in thin layers which you can take off rather than thick clothes, as you can get surprisingly warm even when it is freezing outside.

 

[tyred]

I realise opinions vary and you may want a helmet but I ride mostly on unlit country roads and my headgear of choice for night riding is a baseball cap. Dipping your head will quickly and easily shield your eyes from any car drivers who don't dip their headlights.

 

[summerdays]

During the summer I usually think the light conditions are good enough that I don't have lights on during the day or not always high vis, but come winter time you can be going in and out of deep shade, dreary days or cycling into the low sun. All of those make having the lights and good hi-vis on in the day time.

Watch out for drivers with misted up/icey windscreens who can't see properly.

Buff's are good to wear under a helmet to block the wind, and keep you warmer.

Watch out for wind - especially cross winds that switch on and off as you pass buildings or high sided vehicles.

 

[slowmotion]

During the summer I usually think the light conditions are good enough that I don't have lights on during the day or not always high vis, but come winter time you can be going in and out of deep shade, dreary days or cycling into the low sun. All of those make having the lights and good hi-vis on in the day time.

Watch out for drivers with misted up/icey windscreens who can't see properly.

Buff's are good to wear under a helmet to block the wind, and keep you warmer.

Watch out for wind - especially cross winds that switch on and off as you pass buildings or high sided vehicles.

All good points. I wear a buff round my neck/mouth, and use a thin under-helmet beanie on the top of my head. Get some nice warm socks and some warm/waterproof gloves. Helly Hansen do some great thermal LJs and vests. (at a price).
Staying warm is good for morale.

 

[Hacienda71]

Reflective stuff is good, car headlights pick it up. Also don't be afraid to go a bit overboard with the lights. I have three rear lights one on constant and two flashing. Two on the front one very bright and one flashing. I also have two 3m reflective bands that have four flashing red leds I wear one on each arm, cheap, i.e. poundland but help with side visibility.

Mudguards are good for avoiding a wet bum.

As everyone else has said take your time, pot holes are hard to spot in the dark even with a good light.

 

[Ste T.]

Always assume that others haven't seen you unless proved otherwise and never, NEVER, go down the inside of HGVs, buses or other high sided vehicles, especially in the evening commute. Don't be tempted to red light jump even though everybody seems to be at it and give yourself time to get use to the pace of it all. Go to the library ( if it hasn't been closed down yet ) and as Dell says get a copy of Cyclecraft. Before you know it you will be mixing it up with the best of us and getting to work on a high. :¬)

 

[MontyVeda]

I realise opinions vary and you may want a helmet but I ride mostly on unlit country roads and my headgear of choice for night riding is a baseball cap. Dipping your head will quickly and easily shield your eyes from any car drivers who don't dip their headlights.

A good point Tyred... drivers not dipping is a major problem on unlit roads and especially around Lancaster, drivers seem to think 'we don't have to dip for a cyclist'... strangely when i lived in the northern Lakes most drivers did dip, so maybe it's a Lankyshire thing?


You'll see an approaching vehicle long before it sees you... In such cases expect to be dazzled... slow down and make sure the driver is aware they do need to dip (open hand in front of face and an 'arrgghh' expression) and they usually do... give them a friendly thumbs up and maybe next time they meet a cyclist they'll dip a little sooner.

Slowly we can train them

By this point you'll be able to see feck all so carreer off road as stylishly as possible

 

[Steve H]

Look out for drain covers and white lines in the wet. Can be very slippy

 

[- Baz -]

By this point you'll be able to see feck all so carreer off road as stylishly as possible

Thanks for this - cheered me up this morning!

 

[Banjo]

Another danger to consider this time of year is the sun believe it or not :-) When it does come out it will be low in the sky blinding anyone cycling/driving towards it. If your squinting to see into bright sunlight the drivers behind you peering through grimy windscreens may well be driving almost blind. This is the one occasion i would consider riding on the pavement if one is available.