Sustrans Winter Cycling Guide

One of the beauties of cycling is that is can be enjoyed all year round. There’s no need to put your bicycle away just because the weather turns cold. With a little advice and some basic equipment you can cycle all year round and beat the winter blues by keeping fit and active whilst beating those traffic jams.

Be visible

• Take extra care when cycling in dark conditions, as it will be harder for motorists to spot you.
• Consider wearing a helmet and hi-vis or reflective clothing
• If you regularly cycle with a rucksack, consider getting a reflective cover

Light it up

By law, your bike must have a white front light and red rear light when cycling between dusk and dawn as well as a rear reflector.

• Bling your arm, bag, helmet, or clothing with extra lights to make sure you are seen
• In low light or foggy conditions, good lights will make you more visible
• Carry spare batteries with you so you are always prepared for darker conditions

Way to go

Reconsider your route. Quiet roads that are good to ride on in fair weather are more prone to freezing, particularly early in the morning. Sometimes a gritted busier road is better than an icy quiet road.

• If you do encounter ice – relax, ride straight and avoid the front brake and sharp turns
• Watch out for ice in sheltered areas such as the shaded side of bridges, hedges or bends
• Check conditions before setting out – do think twice about cycling in very icy weather, particularly if there is a risk of black ice
• Invest in some good mudguards if you are riding in wet conditions – they will stop any annoying spray on yourself or others

Dress for it

Jackets and gloves should be numbers one and two on your checklist, with waterproof trousers always coming in handy for bad weather.

• Your jacket should be wind and water proof, but make sure its breathable and not too thick
• Add extra layers underneath your jacket, which can be removed easily to keep comfortable and cool
• Use a helmet or hat with a peak to keep rain out of your eyes
• Make your existing outdoor clothing more cycling specific with hi-vis slap bands and reflective tape

Keeping dry

A waterproof pannier bag or rucksack cover will protect everything for the elements.

• Line non-waterproof bags with a plastic bag to keep the rain out
• Carry a plastic bag to put on your saddle to keep it dry

Service and maintenance

Investing in a full service by your local bike shop is well worth it, as bikes tend to deteriorate in the winter months. After riding your bike in wet conditions, give it some TLC to keep things running smoothly.

• Rinse and wipe your bike down to remove dirt, salt and grit, paying particular attention to the chain, gears, brakes and wheel rims
• Dry off with an old towel
• Get rid of any excess water in moving parts with a spray of WD40 or something similar
• Add some bike oil to the chain and gear mechanism

Other top tips

Consider a good set of tyres that are a little wider and have more grip

• Slightly deflate your tyres to improve traction in slippery conditions but carry a pump in case conditions improve
• Leave extra time to cycle slower in wet and snowy conditions
• Rain can reduce your braking efficiency – always allow more time to stop and don’t follow vehicles too closely
• Avoid puddles that may hide potholes or other road hazards
• Avoid surfaces that may be slippery or icy such as tram tracks, painted lines, metal bridges and road plates