Respect for Toronto’s Winter Biking Warriors | Best Maid Service

As snow starts to flurry in Toronto, you might find yourself calling an Uber- but you must always have respect for Toronto’s winter biking warriors. Though the darkness, slush and black ice can get terrifying, is it time to put the bike away? Not for winter biking warriors! Save that TTC fare for another day! It’s time to layer up and face the cold. In fact, with the right preparation and mindset, you can bike comfortably on the bleakest of winter days.

There are actually a few perks to staying green this snowy season! For starters, parking is free and transit fare non-existent. Plus, when it comes to rush-hour, your two wheels are probably faster then any car (or streetcar), except perhaps on King St. of course! If this will be your first winter biking in Toronto, stay calm and bike on. There’s some hearty tips coming your way, because…just like plants, you help make the air cleaner. So this is really the least we can do.

Challenges for Winter Cycling Warriors

As you well know, icy conditions are no good for any set of wheels. And if you’re biking in the city, you have to take all kinds of wheels into account. For instance, cars can’t stop as quickly in slush and ice. And neither can your bike. Additionally, the roads get narrower when the snow is piled up on the curb. With that said, the first thing that the winter biking warrior should keep in mind is that not every day is good for winter biking.

If you’re a new cycler who prefers side streets, you’ll quickly learn that they don’t get plowed and cleaned as often as arterial roads. However, the biggest downside to driving on these major streets is the car factor. Though your instincts may be telling you to get as close to the snow-covered curb as possible- don’t. “Try not to ride right by the curb,” advises Owen Gerrard, general manager of Sweet Pete’s on Bloor W, in an article from the Torontoist. “Ride a foot or two out so people have to see you. Better to have the jerk behind you get mad because they can see you than to get hit by the idiot who doesn’t.” Thanks for the tip, Owen!

A Slippery Slope

When you decide to hit the streets, there are a few winter considerations you should be wary of. For instance, though the streetcar tracks may look squeaky clean- they are awfully slippery and will remain icy even when other street surfaces are not. So slippery are these tracks, says the City of Toronto, that you should always be crossing them at a clean, 90-degree angle. This feat sounds simple, though you may want to practice in advance when the weather is good. But it’s not only streetcar tracks that get slippery, so do painted street lines, metal bridges and street grates.

You can’t have a conversation about winter slippage without black ice! These frighteningly subtle rinks will send you flying if not maneuvered correctly. So, if you’re biking and find yourself on a patch of black ice, steer straight and stop pedaling. Without breaking, hold your balance and grit your teeth. Not putting pressure on your breaks drastically lowers your chances of experiencing the dreaded skid & fall.

Take Your Time

You’ve heard it before, but there’s plenty of good reasons why winter biking advocates will tell you to slow down. The biggest being that cycling at a lower speed will give you more control, which will help prevent accidents before they happen. The flipside to slowing down is that you need to leave yourself extra time to get where you’re going. In the winter, this may involve adjusting your cycling route.

Buy Your Bike Some New Duds

When 5pm looks and feels like the dead of night, both front and rear lights are essential for your commute home and beyond. Not only will bike lights help you see what’s ahead, but they will help you to be seen by drivers. Too many tragic biking accidents have happened in Toronto, so please light that bike up! If you’re looking for an all-round, good bike light, stick to those that are 150 lumens or higher.  However, if you’re only planning to bike in well-lit areas, you can afford lights that are only 60-150 lumens. Keep in mind that cold and batteries don’t mix well, so consider how you will store your bike and whether you want to keep spare batteries in your back pack.

In addition to decking your bike out with lights, you should consider installing Fenders. Have you ever biked down the street, anticipating the sweet warmth of your destination only to get there and find your back sprayed with slush? Well, Fenders are just what you need to keep your clothes and backside clean! These convenient semi-circle shaped protectors go around the top of your wheels, elimina3ting any regret you once had for not calling an Uber. Check out Part 2 of this article next week for more tips on how to protect that warrior physique from the hail and sleet!

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Written by Savannah Binder, Maid4Condos