Sure, biking is easy when the sun is shining and the road is dry. And commuting by bike is fun—you show up to work feeling great, you get to skip morning traffic, and maybe you even
lose a few pounds. But as the days get cooler and cold weather looms, you wonder if you can keep it up. You can. Here’s how.
It’s not all or nothing. Don’t think that just because you can’t bike every day or every week, you should give up on bike commuting altogether during winter. When a snowstorm hits, or you have extra responsibilities at home or work, taking off a few days is fine. No one’s judging you. Just remind yourself how much you love biking to work when things clear up, and then get back in the saddle. Remember, people bike in Minneapolis (in what locals call Minne
snowta) all year round!
Rain, rain. You wake up and it’s raining. Should you leave the bike at home? Not necessarily. Rain isn't a major problem for bikers, as anyone who's ever been to Portland, Oregon, knows. Just wear appropriate clothing (raincoat, rain pants, gloves) and give yourself a little extra time. Bike slower than usual since the roads are slick and your stopping power is reduced, and take the turns with caution. Paint on roads is slicker than the blacktop when wet, so stay away from paint when possible.
