It's afternoon, but dawn is already breaking. The tyres alternately work their way through piles of wet autumn leaves and the snow left over from last week, which just won't melt. The wind blows icy from the north-east and drains the blood from your clammy fingers. Road salt hits your shoes, cold, wet air creeps into your collar - and now it's even starting to rain.
Admittedly: Between November and March, cycling in Germany is more for hardened outdoor enthusiasts. For the intrepid among the bike commuters. For people who not only say "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing", but mean it. But there are quite a few of them: According to an ADAC survey, eight per cent get on their bikes at least three times a week for more than a quarter of an hour, even in winter.
However, the number of people who do not cycle at all rises from 37 to 61 per cent with the onset of winter. This roughly means that for every three people, one never cycles and one is a fair-weather cyclist, so to speak. Those who keep their bikes in the garage over winter give three main reasons for not cycling. Firstly, they fear the increased risk of falling due to icy roads. Secondly, they are put off by the weather conditions and the darkness.
But despite all the challenges that cold, wind and early twilight bring with them: Cycling in the cold half of the year has many advantages. It keeps you fit, toughens you up, gets fresh air into your lungs and, not infrequently, sunshine on your face - quite unlike travelling by bus or train. With the tips from MYBIKE ("Winter tips: Health", "Winter tips: Clothing", "Winter tips: Bicycle" and "Winter tips: Riding technique"), winter cyclists can manoeuvre their bikes more safely than ever before through leaves, mud and snow.
"Do you cycle for more than 15 minutes?"
- Yes, regularly at least 3 days a week (8% winter, 26% summer)
- Yes, but less frequently or only occasionally (15% winter, 23% summer)
- I always cycle for less than 15 minutes (8% winter, 6% summer)
- No, I don't cycle at all (61% winter, 37% summer)
- Not specified (8% winter and summer)
Source: ADAC e.V., 11-2019
