Top tips for safer winter cycling

As the weather gets colder, don’t be deterred from using your bike for work and leisure. With the right preparation there’severy reason to keep cycling right through the winter months.

  • Give your bike a service: Keeping your bike in good condition is key to successful biking in any weather. Fitting mudguards reduces spray from the road.
  • Check your lights: Ensure these are kept cleanand carry a spare set of batteries.
  • Consider swapping your tyres: Wider tyres offer better grip on slippery roads. You can increase your contact with the road by letting out some of the air pressure in your tyres. Metal studded winter tyres are the best for when roads and shared paths are covered snowor ice.
  • Think ahead: Watch out for hazards such as uneven services, potholes and patches of ice. Black ice is particularly dangerous as it often cannot be seen. However, it does tend to form in the same place so try to make a mental note of where you saw it.
  • Ride safely: Cut down a little on your speed when there is a risk of slipping on ice and keep your centre of gravity low by sitting back in the saddle. If you do hit black ice keep the handlebars straight and stay off the brake, allowing the bike to lead. If you do need to stop, favour the rear brake.
  • Plan your route:Before you set off, plan your route with care. The Travel Choices Hub in Ashton Square, Dunstable has a range of maps showing local cycling routes. Try to stick to gritted roads and cycle away from the kerb to avoid ice. Stay on the flat as much as possible as it’s easier to keep control.
  • Dress for success: Layering is a good idea in cold conditions. Think about a waterproof and windproof jacket and make sure it is breathable and not too thick as you can overheat while cycling, even in bad weather. Considerinvesting in waterproof trousers, some warm gloves and a hat or ear warmers. And as always be seen! Reflective clothes and materials are a must in dreary and challenging conditions – day and night!

If in doubt, walk! Cycling is a great way to get about in the winter but if conditions are really bad it may be easier and more fun on foot.