Be Winter Ready

Cycling during the winter

Be aware of road conditions:

• during cold and freezing weather, we will be out salting a large proportion of the main roads but this means there may be icy or slippery areas on the road network; please adjust your speed so you can slow and stop in good time at junctions, pedestrian crossings and other busy areas

Get bike ready

Here are some ways to make sure your bike is ready for cycling during the winter:

• Check the chain for rust - if it’s rusty, consider getting a new chain fitted or scrubbing off the rust before applying your oil
• Oil the chain - riding through water and salt in the winter can damage the chain and gears on your bike so make sure you regularly apply a suitable wet weather lubricant to the chain; you can buy chain oil from all local bike shops or take your bike to a shop or Community Cycle Works and they will show you how to do it
• Use mudguards – if your bike doesn’t have mudguards fitted, it’s worth getting some put on to protect yourself and your clothes from puddles and wet roads; you can buy mudguards that fit special fixings on the frame, or you can get smaller, lighter guards that strap to the frame or forks
• Don’t forget lights – being seen is essential in winter, especially on darker days
  • there are options for bike lights to suit all budgets, so if in doubt, talk to your local bike shop
  • make sure you get lights that are bright enough for your journey and will last long enough to get you to your destination
  • consider getting rechargeable lights to save money on batteries.

Get rider ready

Make sure you have the right clothing so you can cycle safely during the winter on your bike:

• Wear the right clothing and shoes – make sure you have the right clothing for the weather. Think about layers for warmth, wear a wind and waterproof coat, trousers and gloves and a hat that fits under your helmet or something that covers your ears
  • wear a different pair of shoes to cycle in from the ones you're going to wear once you've arrived
  • wear shoes that are fairly durable and weatherproof; think about grip so your feet don’t slip off the pedals and tuck away the laces so they don’t get caught in the chain and gears
• Use a backpack – if you're commuting and need to carry spare clothes with you, invest in a waterproof backpack, rucksack or panniers
• Don’t forget to wear a Hi-vis – make sure you wear a high visibility jacket or cover to put over your clothes and bag; ask your employer if they can supply these for you or find a shop that sells work wear as they tend to be more reasonably priced
  • good reflective strips are a good idea to make sure you're more visible; you can also buy wearable lights if you want to be highly visible in the gloom

Page last updated: 14 November 2023