Fun in the Snow

Biking in the first snowstorm of the year is always a fun experience! I hardly saw another cyclist out there today but perhaps my vision was obscured by the wind pelting the fresh falling snow into my eyes. Here are my tips for a safe and warm commute:

• Overpants not only help to break the wind on your legs, but they also serve to keep the mucky sludgy stuff that passing vehicles will spray at you, off of you. Fenders with mudguards help to keep your bike from spraying that stuff at yourself.
• Dress warm enough, but not too warm. You're generating a lot of heat from riding. Today, just below freezing I wore normal clothes, a wool sweater, windbreaker, overpants, scarf, three fingered thick gloves, and a thin balaclava (probably overkill) under my helmet, and wool socks with running shoes.
• Be visible. Drivers are not really expecting to see cyclists in a snowstorm. You can turn on taillights in the daylight to help contrast you against the grey skies. I also wore a reflective vest.
• Remember drivers probably won't see you anyway. Slow down a bit and have a defensive cycling plan in mind.
• Assert your space. Some drivers will think nothing of passing you in slippery conditions with mere inches - if you encourage it. Take the lane where passing you in the lane would be unsafe. Stay a least a metre to the left of the slippery patches.
• Pick a clear route. While the sidestreets today were really icy (and may be great if you have studded tires), arterials like Queen were well salted and relatively clear.
• Remember slippery when wet. Take caution when crossing streetcar tracks.
• Become a pedestrian. If making a left turn across slippery streetcar tracks looks risky, you can always get off and walk your bike through the crosswalk.

If you have to drive a car in this weather, keep in mind these tips to interacting with cyclists in snowy weather:

• Its slippery out there! The cyclist may hit an unexpected icy patch and lose traction. Leave as much space as possible to pass - preferably changing lanes. Always appreciated in any weather.
• Remember that cyclists are more vulnerable than you are - when in doubt slow down and yield to the more vulnerable road user
• Signal your intentions well in advance
• Always check your blind spots before changing lanes - a cyclist is harder to spot than a vehicle with bright headlights
• Remember that the cyclist can see snowy and icy patches better than you can - if they are further out in the roadway they are only trying to avoid these patches and not trying to thwart you
• Leave space. In slippery weather everyone needs more stopping and maneuvering room.
• Save the honking to warn others of truly dangerous situations, such as you are sliding around and can't control your vehicle (which we hope won't happen). Using it because you are impatient might cause a cyclist to swerve on an icy patch.