By Gin Kilgore, Program Director

For most cyclists in Illinois, biking has three seasons: spring, summer, and fall. But any year-round cyclist will tell you there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing—and winter riding doesn’t require particularly special clothes.

In the late 90’s, as a bicycle planner and activist, I discovered how easy it can be to ride year round. I also realized that the perception that cycling is not viable after the leaves and temperatures plummet had three unfortunate consequences:

• Hordes of bicycle-loving people would part with their steeds for no reason. Some would pine restlessly during the dark months to get back on the roads and trails. Others would lose momentum and let their bikes collect dust long after the trees bloomed again.
• Those who are living car-free or car-light were hobbled by the loss of their bikes for the season. I remember the first year I started biking as my primary mode of transportation and then dutifully stopped for winter. I was back to cutting off my circulation with grocery bags and freezing at bus stops. Never again!
• And, worst of all, politicians and planners didn’t consider cycling a viable form of transportation. Why invest in infrastructure and programs for a part-time activity? Who would want to ride a bike to work and for errands anyway? Bikes were still seen primarily as a form of recreation on warm, sunny days.

That’s when I co-founded Bike Winter, a grassroots effort to encourage and equip people to embrace the Post Office creed:

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. … Rain or shine, snow or sleet, we deliver your mail! ride on!”

Fast forward 15 years. Strangers rarely approach me, agog: “You rode in this weather?!” Fewer and fewer planners and engineers believe that bikes are only for recreation and certain times of the year–in part because more and more people ride all year.

So, if you hesitate about rolling in the winter wonderland, remember how much you love your bicycle, and how important it is to show the world that Bikes Belong—all the time!

Here are my can’t live without winter biking tips, which have evolved over the years. A Momentum Magazine article I was interviewed for also offers more details (including maintenance and riding advice), as well as other helpful links.

Light up: You should already have at least a front light and rear reflector (it’s the law), and ideally a rear red light (it’s much more visible). I also add lights to my helmet so that when I turn to look for cross traffic, cross traffic can see me. When I suspect the batteries are low, or the light position is wrong, I ask a driver at a signal if they can see me.

Avoid the Conehead:  For some, wearing a thin hat or gaitor that covers the ears under a helmet is enough. Because I am a cold weather wimp,  I tend to rely on balaclavas, which are basically face masks. By making them myself with colorful fleece, they are warmer and less sinister. However, without a helmet, they can look frightening. My biggest Bike Winter innovation is wearing a matching gaitor over my ears. It also provides an extra neck and cheek layer while riding. Or, I flip it up to look more hat-like. Here are instructions for making your own.

Hide the Thumb: Fear of cold hands is a barrier for many. Big, puffy mittens aren’t the best because you need dexterity to handle your bike, and your thumb is left out alone and exposed. Some folks invest in “lobster” gloves which are like mittens, except the thumb gets to cuddle with the index finger. I prefer to combine glove liners with waterproof half gloves with mitten tops. Upside: Dexterity, plus warmth. Downside: The lone thumb. When it starts to go numb, I tuck it behind the handlebar to reduce exposure.

Wiggle your toes and stamp your feet: Warm socks and shoes are important, but not at the expense of breathing room. I go up a size for winter boots so I can wear thick, cozy socks and still have an air pocket by my toes. If they start going numb, I scrunch and squirm them back to comfort. Stomping my feet at stops also seems to help. Or maybe it just feels good to shake a foot at the cold.

Go hybrid:  Layering used to be my foundational winter biking advice.  I warned of the peril of overheating, and promoted windproof, waterproof, pit-zipped shells with various layers underneath. Easy on/off rain pants cut down the windburn. This is still sound advice for people who ride more than 5-10 minutes, which is how long it takes to warm up. But when it’s a quick, non-exertive ride down the street, the shell is useless. Now that most of my rides are under two miles, and often end at my son’s school, I’ve made a truly radical change. Bike Winter heresy. I just wear my big ole winter coat and long underwear, hands in my pockets, stamping my feet. But I still have on the balaclava—with a gaitor on top of course.

Photo credit: Martha Williams, http://bikefancy.blogspot.com/