With much of Britain expected to experience snow overnight, many commuter cyclists will be faced with uncertain conditions come morning.
There are a number or accessories available to cyclists who want to adapt their bikes for snowy conditions, from metal-studded tyres to full caterpillar track systems, but a few simple tips can help you fare better on slippery roads than many motorists.
Top tips for cycling in snow
People who don’t cycle assume that a bicycle is the worst possible option in snow, but this is not the case. Although riding on ice can prove tricky, a light covering of snow should not present any difficulties for an experienced rider.
| Top tips for cycling this winter | Learn to cope in snow and slush |
|---|---|
| Stay warm | Keeping your head, hands and knees warm will help you stay alert and relaxed. Cyclists of old used to stuff a newspaper down their fronts to keep out the cold – if you are ever feel in need of an extra layer give it a go as it is surprisingly effective. |
| Get knobbled | In countries where winters are hard and long, cyclists invest in metal-studded tyres, but in Britain it is more practical to go for an off-road, knobbly tyre or just settle with what you have already – as long as it is not a slick |
| Play it straight | Try and keep your bicycle as upright as possible during turns. If you bank into a turn in slippery conditions you will be more likely to exceed the limited grip of your tyre |
| Sit back and enjoy the ride | Keeping your weight as far back as possible minimises the risk of your front wheel sliding from beneath you – at the same time your rear, driving wheel enjoys more grip with a little extra weight over it. |
| Brake time | Use your rear brake to carefully test how slippery the road is and use the front brake only in a straight line |
| Put your back into it | Motorcycle couriers steer partly by shifting their position in the seat. They use it to make quick turns, but steering with your hips in this way is a useful tip for cyclists in slippery conditions as it minimises abrupt movement of the handlebars |
| Get to know your snow | Fresh snow offers a surprising level of grip for cyclists, but beware of slush and areas of ice covered by only a dusting of powder. |
| Cycle rescue | Cycle Rescue is a unique service which gives cyclists breakdown cover similar to that offered to motorists |
| Tank tracks | If all else fails, buy a kit that replaces your bicycle’s rear wheel with a caterpillar track designed for use on snow and its front wheel with a ski blade! |
Cycle insurance
Every policy from the ETA includes new-for-old replacement & cover for accidental damage (race events included), third party insurance, personal accident cover and if you breakdown, they will even come out and recover you and your bike. Prices start from 32 pence per week.
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