Winter Bike Commuting: A Guide to Safe and Comfortable Rides

While it is possible to ride an electric bike in winter, there are considerations to make. Riding in cold weather, especially in heavy ran or snow, can pose a range of issues. Accidental slipping is one of them.

Being prepared for the winter commute is vital to a safe and comfortable ride. In this article, you’ll find out what you need to commute by bike in winter. You’ll also learn how to choose the perfect bike and gear for cycle commuting in winter.

What You’ll Need to Commute by Bike in Winter

The three main things to consider when you commute by bike in winter are your clothing, gear, and type of electric bike.

Your clothing will determine how warm or cool you are as you ride, as well as your ability to wick moisture and snow. Your gear, such as lighting and tire pressure, will enable you to remain visible and ride over nearly any surface.

Choosing the Perfect Bike for Winter Riding

You can use almost any electric bike to ride in winter. However, the right choice for you will depend on your circumstances. Where do you plan to ride? How long for? How rough will the conditions be?

Ebike vs Traditional Bikes for Winter

Your two cycling options are traditional pedal bikes and electric bikes. Pedal bikes rely on you to apply pressure to the pedals to accelerate and maintain speed.

Electric bikes have a pedal assist mode, where the electric motor kicks in when you use the pedals. Some electric bikes have a handlebar throttle, which lets you accelerate and maintain speed without throttling.

The best Ebike for snow gives you a performance edge. The assist features make it easier to climb steep inclines, especially rough terrain and snow. They are also water resistant so you can ride them in light to moderate rain and snowfall.

Must-Have Gear for Winter Cycling

From headgear to footwear, here is the must-have gear to bring when you ride in winter.

Gear Up Your Body

You may be inclined to wear the warmest clothing possible in winter. But resist the temptation. Wearing heavy, non-breathable clothing may cause you to sweat and overheat.

From head to toe, here is how to layer your clothing in winter properly.

Headgear and Ears

Irrespective of the weather, always wear a helmet when riding a bike. This is especially true when riding on slippery surfaces like ice and paved snow.

However, most helmets are breathable, which can be a problem when riding against the cold breeze in winter.

To help keep your head and ears warm, wear a beanie beneath your helmet. Depending on the temperature, you can start with a windproof headband or a thinly layered beanie, and then work your way up to thicker material as the temperature drops.

When wearing a beanie beneath your helmet, ensure the helmet fits snugly on your head without being too tight.

Neck

The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of your body, so it’s important to keep it warm when you ride in winter. One way to keep your neck warm is to zip up your jacket all the way to your neckline.

However, if you require additional protection, consider wearing a specialized neck warmer for cyclists. Typically made of fleece, wool, or polyester, neck warmers fit snugly against your neck to help trap in warm air and ward off cool air.

Eyewear

Eyewear can help protect your eyes from wind, dust, and debris. It is especially useful in winter, as it can help stop your eyes from getting too cold and wet.

In moderately cold weather, wear sunglasses during the day and clear glasses at night. If the temperature is lower than usual, wear biking or skiing googles. They cover not just your eyes but also your surrounding skin.

Face

Unless the weather is nearly freezing, you probably won’t need to cover your face. When it does, though, you may need to warm your nose and mouth to prevent chattering. In such cases, wear a balaclava or facemask.

Are you wearing eye goggles too? If so, you may need to expose your nose slightly to prevent the goggles from fogging. You can also apply anti fog product to the glass to prevent fogging.

Body

During winter, you can still wear normal pants and tops. But you’ll need to layer up. Add a few light- to medium-sized jackets to your attire. They will help you stay warm at the beginning of your ride. As you ride for longer and generate more heat, you can gradually remove layers.

Are you riding in the rain or snow? Wear waterproof pants over your regular pants. They will protect you from moisture and debris, such as mud and dirty snow. For longer commutes and riding in nearly freezing temperatures, invest in thermal gear.

Hands

Good winter gloves will warm your hands and offer plenty of grip. They will also provide enough freedom of movement and let you interact with touch screens.

Wear leather gloves or glove liners in light to moderately cold weather. For extremely cold weather, get a pair of lobster gloves. They are designed specifically to keep your hands warm below-freezing temperatures.

Footwear and Socks

In winter, you can still wear your regular shoes and socks. The only exception is when the temperature is near or below freezing and the snow is wet. Wear windproof and waterproof boots to handle these situations.

Make sure that your footwear is narrow enough, too. You should be able to rest your feet on the pedals comfortably, without fear of slipping.

Equip Your Ebike for the Elements

Once your clothing is sorted, the next step is to prepare your Ebike for the elements. When riding your Ebike on the snow, follow these handy tips:

• Lighting – Ensure your electric bike has front and rear reflector lights. Equip a primary front headlight too. Doing so will enable you to see (and be seen by others) at night and in the fog.
• Tires – Narrow tires are the best at sinking through shallow layers of snow. Meanwhile, thicker tires with deep tread and studs are the best at keeping you stable in thick, deep snow.
• Tire pressure – When adjusting your tire pressure in winter, set your PSI about 10 below the recommended amount. Then, lower or raise the air pressure until you find a comfortable level.
• Maintenance – Regardless of the season, stick to your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. Take your electric bike to a reputable repair shop at least once per year.

Keep Your Ebike Safe in Winter

Winter is known for its low temperature, heavy rain, and snowfall. Unfortunately, electric bikes are susceptible to cold damage, and they have a reduced travel range in the cold. To keep your Ebike safe in winter, follow these storage and handling tips:

• Avoid riding your electric bike in temperatures below -5° Fahrenheit
• Store your electric bike and battery in ambient temperatures between 32° and 70° Fahrenheit.
• If you must store your electric bike outside, place a bike cover over the frame or protect the battery with a thermal cover.
• Ensure your battery is warm (at least room temperature) before you ride

Master the Winter With Heybike

Riding in winter does come with risks. But you can still cycle safely and comfortably. You need to prepare accordingly. Following the above tips, such as choosing the right tires and clothing, will help you stay warm and in control as you ride.

To enhance your winter ride, explore the full electric bike range at Heybike.