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Commuting by bike is good for the climate and for your health. These arguments also apply in winter, but are quickly cancelled out by other concerns. Too cold, too wet, too dark, too dangerous: there are many reasons for leaving the bike in the garage and travelling to work by car or public transport. Our editor commutes 62 kilometres by bike every day - even in the winter months. Here he has compiled his five top tips for braving the cold season.
For me, the bike is the number one means of commuter transport, even in winter. When car drivers are getting annoyed in traffic jams and train passengers are picking up the next cold virus, I simply do my basic training in the fresh air on the way to work. It goes without saying that this is no walk in the park during the cold season. But with these tips, it works quite well. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
1 Let there be light!
There in the dark, back in the dark: it's the plight of many employees in winter. The lack of light can quickly become dangerous on a bike. That's why a lighting solution is essential. There are good clip-on solutions for occasional commuters (e.g. Lezyne Radar Drive and React Drive for 249 euros) and for e-bikers on the battery-connected concepts (e.g. Lupine C14, 79,99 Euro). Frequent riders can, for example, invest in a bike with a hub dynamo (e.g. Canyon Grizl CF8 ESC w/Eclips gravel bike for € 3999).
I simply feel safer with a powerful light. For short distances and fast rides, nothing beats an uncomplicated, lightweight clip-on light. For longer distances and real lighting power, I add a helmet light or hop on a dynamo bike. In winter, good lighting is a must for bike commuters. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
2. safety first
Almost all winter clothing has reflective elements. And for good reason! When they are hit by a headlight, reflectors really light up. If the tyres do not have reflective strips, spoke reflectors help with visibility. (e.g. Cube Acid Pro for 16.99 euros). A high-visibility waistcoat can provide an extra measure of safety. It is easy to see even with dark clothing and costs only a few euros. For sporty commuters, waistcoats are also available in discreet sizes (e.g. Wowow Cross Belt reflex belt for 9.99 euros).
When it comes to reflectors, more is more. But I don't want to look like a Christmas tree when commuting by bike either. That's why I always wear a thin reflective belt over my winter clothing on dark journeys. It's comfortable to wear, looks discreet and still improves visibility considerably. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
3. protective sheet metal and plastic
A wet body cools down much faster than a dry one - in extreme cases even by a factor of 25, which is why protection against splashing water is not only crucial for the comfort factor, but also for health. For mountain bikers, there are options that are attached with Velcro straps or cable ties (e.g. Zefal Deflector FM40 for 19.95 euros). Gravel bikes can also be fitted with more robust solutions that provide even better protection (e.g. Canyon Defend for 119.95 euros). Goggles protect against cold draughts (e.g. 100% Hypercraft for 169 euros). In winter, their lenses are best without tinting.
I resisted mudguards for a long time, because they turn a slim sports bike into an all-purpose vehicle. In the meantime, however, I have to say: F*** it! In winter, the ground is always wet and when it gets really nasty, a proper mudguard is simply indispensable. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
4. warm fingers and ears
There are many winter gloves for cyclists. However, at temperatures around freezing point, classic five-finger gloves do not keep you as warm as models in which several fingers are enclosed together (e.g. Kinetixx Luzan for 79.99 euros). Just as critical: cold ears. Your ears are exposed to the cold wind and cool down quickly. A cap under the helmet, on the other hand, is often too warm. Cross-country skiing offers a remedy. Special thin headbands (e.g. Dynafit Graphic Performance for 20 euros) keep the ears warm but maintain ventilation through the slits in the helmet.
Cold ears are not really my problem. But when it's really frosty, my temporomandibular joints sometimes hurt. I don't think much of a balaclava. At some point, a mate gave me the idea of a headband for skiers. Lo and behold, it works perfectly for bikers and protects the head in critical areas. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
5 The last will be first
The most important tip for cycle commuters in winter costs nothing, but can save lives in an emergency and is: ride defensively. Unfortunately, even with perfectly optimised equipment, cyclists cannot assume that they will be seen by other road users. It's better to wait a moment longer to see if the car really will stop and not take any risky lines. An accident can quickly become particularly dangerous in cold temperatures. It is therefore better to drive calmly and sensibly through traffic. It also makes sense to upgrade your equipment: instead of a racing bike, opt for a gravel bike or even a mountain bike.
Nowhere is it more dangerous for cyclists than on the roads in winter. Unfortunately, bike commuters can never be one hundred per cent sure that they will be seen and that drivers will respect their rights. In twelve years as a bike commuter, I have already experienced a number of dicey situations and can only say: slow is safe and safe is fast. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
