Winter cycling - part 1
Scandinavians have a saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Great concept, but I prefer a cold piña colada on a sunny beach.
It’s not too cold to cycle.
The game-changer here is having the right equipment, just like how I need different stuff for summer fun. With proper gear, biking in winter is easier and comfy because it keeps you warm, even in the cold. It's amazing how it can make pedaling through the cold feel awesome!
Your city needs to care about snow maintenance
Fixing winter equipment may not be difficult, but fixing the city's culture regarding winter maintenance can be a big challenge. Some argue cycling infrastructure is impossible to maintain in harsh weather. People against cycling infrastructure often like to make this their biggest argument. Yet, this is not true. It all comes down to whether or not a city prioritizes it. Walking and driving in the snow can be difficult, but we're used to it. So why can't we cycle in the snow, too? The only time I haven't cycled is when the bike lanes were not properly maintained, not because it was too cold.
Winter cycling on Drottingholm, Stockholm County
Why are we still not prioritizing cycling over driving, even in this cold and snowy weather?
The snow dump in the picture is a bike lane, Sundbyberg, Stockholm County
In the image, it's evident that cleaning during snowy days is achievable. But what takes priority when streets are cleared? Typically, the priority lies in clearing roads, which, in some cases, makes sense. It's essential to clear routes frequented by buses promptly. However, allocating resources solely to lanes dedicated to cars doesn't seem logical. Such an approach almost forces people to rely on cars for everything.
What does your morning look like when taking a car in the winter?
Do you need to do some of the following:
Defrost your car?
Remove snow from your car?
Remove snow from the parking so you can go out into the street?
Navigate icy roads?
Clean the parking area at your destination?
And did you remember to change into winter tires?
It is a lot of chores compared to just putting on clothes and taking your bike outside.
Sometimes, driving a car is the only option we have. This could be because we work far away from home or no convenient public transport is available. However, many people take car trips for less than 5km (1), which is a distance that can easily be covered by cycling, especially if snow maintenance is properly done. These people are the prime audience for promoting cycling as a mode of transportation. Doing all car chores for 5 km or less makes no sense.
We can see that the cycling culture is lacking even in the densest municipalities in Sweden, like Sundbyberg Stad. Compare any Dutch city with Sundbyberg, and the difference is shocking.
Percentage of bike trips in major Dutch cities
Percentage of bike trips in municipality of Sundbyberg taken from the comprehensive plan, 2016
The cultural shift needs to happen. When cycling is safe, with proper traffic safety measures, adequate bike parking, good bike routes and proper snow maintenance, more people are likely to switch to biking as their preferred mode of commuting. (2)
If a snowplow doesn't clear the bike lane well, it can create uneven ground and make slipping easier while cycling, even with winter tires. This happens when piles of snow are left or snow from the car lane is thrown into the bike lane. Most bikes are lightweight and cannot crush through snow. While gravel can help, many layers become inconvenient when the snow melts, and it needs to be cleared. Snow often gets dumped in bike lanes, especially painted ones. This can be a big problem for people who mostly ride bicycles and rely on them to get around. They may have no choice but to switch their mode of transport because of this.
For bike lanes - Snow can be removed completely with salt, gravel can be added, or snow can be packed. In Stockholm, I prefer it when it’s cleaned completely, with salt. Just be careful to clean your bike occasionally because salt can damage it. Packed snow is a great method in climates where temperatures below zero are constant for a long time. The best winter cycling city, Oulu, is using this method. (3)
Prioritizing cycling over driving shouldn’t need big resources. It could be a meaningful change in our cityscapes and mobility.
Report dangerous or unmaintained bike lanes to the responsible municipality or me with pictures. Don't be afraid to speak up and demand action.
The bad situation makes you creative.
Starting a new job in May 2022 at Drottningholm Island in Stockholm posed significant commuting challenges. I could bike for 30 minutes or take a 40-minute metro and bus trip. I thought I'd bike when it's dry and take the bus when it's rainy or snowy. But things didn't go as planned. On rainy days, the bus from Huvudstaleden station was 20 minutes late, two days in a row.
The prospect of a one-hour commute via an inconsistent bus service for an 8-kilometer distance became illogical. I needed a different plan to avoid the long and uncertain commutes.
The bus service in the northern part of Stockholm is unreliable and often delayed. However, this is not entirely the fault of the bus service itself. The root cause of the problem lies in the fact that many suburbanites residing in the western part of the Stockholm archipelago drive their cars to central Stockholm. This results in heavy traffic on Drottningsholmsvägen and Ekerövägen, which lack separate bus lanes, further worsening the situation.
Suburbanites complaining about the traffic jams they create themselves (4)
I've decided that I'm going to start biking instead, no matter the weather. I'm all in - I'll buy all the necessary equipment, even for rainy or snowy days! You name it, I will buy it all!
It's important to note that setting up all the equipment takes some time. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend it to someone with the luxury of a quick commute via metro.
This method is for people who:
have limited transportation options
want to be more active
Want to save money in the long run
A person riding a bike spotted next to Huvudsta metro station
You can have a winter bike
After a few months of working on Drottningholm, I opted for a rented bicycle. Luckily, a new bike rental service had just opened in Stockholm, offering a more affordable option than a monthly public transport pass. Initially, I commuted to the office using my regular bike. However, layering up became a challenge as fall and winter approached, leading to excessive sweating. With no shower facilities at the office, my solution came in the form of renting an e-bike—an experience that significantly improved my daily routine. The switch to a different bike was fantastic, providing a remarkable commuting experience. Surprisingly, despite using this bike, I still managed to get an excellent workout. Research suggests that commuters using electric bikes can achieve equal, if not superior, levels of exercise compared to those on regular bicycles. (5) Exploring this intriguing topic has me considering a future article diving deeper into this subject.
E-bike I rented last year
Cycling tips
When it comes to cycling, having an e-bike makes a huge difference. But as winter arrives, there's a need to adapt—winter cycling is a different ball game. The landscape changes drastically, with snow-covered, uneven paths coupled with strong winds. Negotiating turns requires extra caution during this time.
Death bike trap in Bromma, Stockholm County
Despite the challenges, most days remain suitable for cycling. However, it's crucial not to brave massive snowstorms; I learned the hard way that poor bike maintenance can sabotage your ride. Opting for public transit during severe weather is a safer choice. Fortunately, such extreme weather occurrences are rare throughout the year. This makes biking a viable option for the most part.
I managed to cycle almost to work, but Nockebybron was not clean at all, so I needed to leave my bike like this, Ekerö Municipality, Stockholm County
Staying in touch with other cyclists is helpful. Asking about uncleared routes can save you from obstacles. Check out this map of unfrozen streets for biking and walking in central Stockholm.
Unfrozen streets in central Stockholm (6)
Switching up your routes between seasons is advisable to ensure safer and cleaner paths. Avoiding curbs becomes essential to sidestep snow and ice, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable ride.
Winter gear basics
Think about winter sports like skiing or skating—they're popular because people have the right gear. The good news is that you don't need to spend much money on new winter cycling equipment. Instead, consider repurposing your existing winter sports gear.
Winter cycling can be a fun and exciting way to stay active during the colder months. With the right gear, you can enjoy the beauty of winter while staying warm and comfortable.
A person riding a bike spotted next to KTH in autumn
Before embarking on a cycling adventure, it is essential to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. Below is a clear and concise picture of winter equipment in this blog post. Furthermore, I will provide a comprehensive and detailed guide to the necessary winter equipment in an upcoming blog post. I will break down each piece of equipment, describing what you need for a safe and enjoyable ride. Moreover, I will offer tips on how to equip your bike with the necessary gear and provide additional tips and tricks for winter cycling.
Short guide for winter equipment
What’s next?
Stockholm needs our help. Let's take action by capturing pictures of poorly maintained bike lanes and sending them to the municipalities. This winter has been particularly challenging. This year the economy has been rough, affecting many. Biking has become even more critical for affordable and sustainable commuting. But we cannot do it alone. We must urge our municipalities to focus on winter maintenance of bike lanes. So, join me in this effort, snap those pictures, and create a better tomorrow, one cleaned bike lane at a time.
Impressive maintenance of snow in Skytteholm Field, Solna Municipality, Stockholm County
Source
Naturskyddsföreningen i Stockholms län: KORTA BILRESOR
The global barriers and enablers for riding a bike (2022) Bicycle Network.(Accessed: 28 December 2023)
Not Just Bikes Youtube Video: Why Canadians Can't Bike in the Winter (but Finnish people can)
Physical activity of electric bicycle users compared to conventional bicycle users and non-cyclists: Insights based on health and transport data from an online survey in seven European cities, Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Elsevier (Accessed: 28 December 2023)
Snö och halka: Stockholms stad (Accessed: 28 December 2023)