I Love riding in the winter (actually I prefer the summer but riding anytime is great). People think Toronto is too cold to ride a bike in the winter. No way!!! Often by the time I get where I am going I have to have a little cool off time as my metabolism is all pumped up from the ride. Even the few days we had of -20 Celsius were quite ridable.
One of the things about riding in the winter is you have to ride farther into the road. The sides of the road are covered in ice so are not ridable. So if you are driving your car behind a cyclist in this weather please don’t follow too close and sit there revving your engine. It’s not safe!! IF you can’t safely pass back off!! People do this too me even when I am riding with my son Jake in the bike seat. It is not safe. If I need to stop quickly the following cars don’t have a safe distance to stop.
After all, I am riding so that the air is more breathable for everyone, even those foolish people who continue to drive cars. Not driving is the single easiest way for city dwellers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and building community at the same time.
Remember 4 wheels bad 2 wheels good.
Here in the Sacramento it doesn’t get nearly as cold, but I couldn’t agree more! Don’t stay inside, get out and ride, the coldness disappears as the fun increases. One great tip: If you are warm in the first 15 mins, you are wearing too many layers and will get HOT.