![]() “Winter Beater”: Halifax loves road salt. This will lower your center of gravity and allows you to more easily place your feet on the ground if your bike slips on ice or snow. A final useful tip is to lower your seat a little bit. Many people who use bike shoes and clipless-pedals (where your shoe clips directly to the pedal) will switch to regular platform pedals for the winter as these will better accommodate winter boots. Don’t forget that using your front brake on ice can cause you to wipe out! If it is icy, it is best to use your rear brake only. Know what kind of brakes you have and slowly test your brakes on ice and snow before merging onto busy roads. Rim brakes will still work but may require more stopping distance. Even if you don’t care about getting soaked from your tires be considerate of those riding around you.īrakes: Drum or disc brakes are ideal for wet or snowy conditions as they will not clog up with ice and snow. A mudflap is a great addition to help keep the mess off the person behind you. Look for fenders that go down to the chain stay (past the widest point of the wheel) and are wider than the tire. Lowering the air pressure in your tire slightly will help as well, but it will also make you ride a bit slower.įenders: Wet and salty Halifax winter roads mean that fenders are a must! Full coverage fenders offer the best protection for both your bike and your clothes. Studded tires work great on ice and snow, but are not recommended for clear pavement. The wider width and greater surface area of the rubber will provide much better traction. Tires: If your bike has the clearance to mount a wider tire, go for it. ![]() ![]() In winter, pay special attention to your tires, fenders, and brakes. It is important that your bike is in safe working order year-round. Snowy or icy conditions on roads and paths, however, are cause for more consideration. On days with no precipitation and clear roads, but cold conditions, the most important consideration is your attire (see “Clothing” below). In Halifax cycling in the winter can be a bit tricky and a bit messy - but that doesn’t mean it’s just for the hardcore cyclists! With a little extra attention to your riding technique and some consideration of your clothing and gear choice, you too can ride your bike year-round! Choosing the right bike for cycling in winter Halifax is not Copenhagen, where cyclists enjoy plowed, well defined, and segregated bike lanes (we’re working on it!). Cycling in Winter: Tips from the Halifax Cycling Coalition
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