An increasing number of cyclists are taking to Centretown’s cold and snowy streets this winter, fueling an environmentally-friendly trend encouraged by the City of Ottawa and boosting business for local bike shops.
“Winter isn’t really winter anymore,” says Tyler Black, a bike technician at Foster’s Sports Centre on Bank Street. “People are biking further and further into the season because it’s not as cold as it used to be. There’s been a definite increase in winter cyclists.”
According to Black, last year’s OC Transpo strike played a role in this increase. “The day the bus strike started we completely sold out of everything winter related for bicycles,” he says. “That’s when we saw a huge increase in people winter cycling, and most people who did it last year are continuing to do it this year.”
Zlatko Krstulich, president of Citizens for Safe Cycling, says he was introduced to winter cycling by a fellow cyclist a couple years ago. “I just asked why and he made the point that he would otherwise be finding himself on a crowded bus.”
Appropriate equipment can also make the experience safer and more enjoyable, says Krstulich. “I was able to get myself some studded tires, which eliminated my concerns about slipping on ice.”
According to Black, studded tires are the primary piece of winter cycling equipment available. “They have softer compounds; the rubber is less dense, so when it’s cold it’s still soft and adds grip,” he says. “And they use carbide studs which don’t rust, and last longer.”
Lights and visible clothing are also useful for increasing safety, says Krstulich.
Krstulich says that many cyclists use a different bike for winter cycling than they do in the summer. “It tends to be a rather robust, older bike, because the salt and so on is pretty hard on the bike equipment,” he says.
According to Krstulich, many cyclists remove some of the gearing on their winter bike. “That way there’s less maintenance in trying to keep it running. The general idea is to make it more robust.”
One of the challenges often encountered by winter cyclists is chain rusting, says Krstulich. “I make sure to put some grease on the bike,” he says, “that’s really all you can do. Just apply it often and liberally. I also pack the pivot points on my bike with grease because they can otherwise start to jam up.”
A pamphlet offered by the City of Ottawa, Cycling 365: The Essential Guide to Becoming a Year-Round Cyclist, provides cyclists with tips regarding safety, driving techniques and appropriate clothing.
The pamphlet also encourages cyclists to plan their routes, as many pathways are not cleared of snow in the winter.
According to the pamphlet, “a longer cycling season will lead to many benefits for your health, your wallet and the environment.”