It might be a pretty dry winter this year, but it’s always a good idea to brush up on safety tips for the winter biking season.
Biking in on-street bike lanes is tough after a snowfall. Parked cars present challenges for plowing, snow removal is expensive and places to store snow are limited. The city will clear snow from on-street bike lanes when a street significantly narrows.
Madison will plow arterial bike paths as needed after it snows and when a general plowing is underway. The city will also send plows on the bike paths after street plowing is finished to clear any snow buildup. Bike path concerns can be reported to the city online.
Here are some tips to consider before hopping on your wheels.
- Stay visible: There are fewer bicyclists on the road and motorists often don’t expect to see them. Wear bright colors during the day and use lights at night to make yourself seen. A high-visibility neon vest or reflective gear is ideal.
- Stay warm: Winter winds can be brutal on ears, eyes, and extremities. A thin scarf wrapped around your head and neck under a helmet or a balaclava can make all the difference. Insulated gloves or lobster mitts can also be lifesavers.
- Keep up with maintenance: A broken bike is never fun, a broken bike in the winter is extremely not fun. Make sure your brakes and gears are in good condition, especially the cables; Tires should have plenty of tread. When roads are snowy or icy, use less air in your tires for better traction.
