Lug

Depends on where in the US you are at. I know AK, ID, MT, OR, and WA allow studs on your car during the winter driving months. But if you get caught with studs still on during the summer driving months it can get expensive. One state (don't remember which one) fines you per stud.
Justin

rhm

Park the bike? I understand we are all in different work situations etc so what works for me isn't necessarily what works for you. I take "park the bike" to imply you have another option, I'll guess a car, to get to work; and this necessarily affects your rationale. I've been car-free, as far as commuting goes, for a dozen years or so; I literally don't have a Plan B. But my work is not critical; if I don't make it to work, I won't get fired. The downside is I won't get paid; but I'll find stuff to do at home.

So what does it take, for me to take the day off? Well, I try to stay off the roads when the snow plows are out. They are dangerous, and I don't want to die; and they have an important job to do, and I don't want to interfere with it. So if there's a significant chance I'll see snowplows when I would be riding, I won't ride.

Last year I took off a couple days just because it was too cold to ride. That thought crossed my mind this morning, but here I am at work anyway. I have taken days off because of heavy rain, too. That happened maybe twice last year.

BobbyG

Until I have studded snow tires, no snow or ice for me. I used to ride in the soft snow with knobbies, but here in Colorado Springs it usually doesn't snow much or stick around past lunch...usually. But I have some longish hills on my routes and I'm afraid of falling and sliding a block or two. Probably unfounded.

Darth Lefty 

My cousin in Middlebury, Indiana just sent me a photo of an Amish kid (unknown who, but probably also my cousin, my dad's side is that extraction from that area). He's on his bike in the blowing snow on a country road. He's out there in it, and not only are the conditions bad but the traffic is going by at 55+ mph, on roads that are sometimes hilly and have no shoulder. I really doubt he has any special gear except for long underwear.

Fishmonger

I tend to change my route or time of my commute to increase my safety. For example, in the summer I ride with the sun at my back during sunrise/sunset, if I can help it, so that cars with dirty windshields can still see me. During the winter I also get up earlier and get to work early in order to beat the sun. With my lights and reflector vest, cars can probably see me better and farther off in the dark than during the day, and I feel invisible during the hazy sunrise hour where it's still kind of dark but my lights don't show up well. In inclement weather, I avoid rush hour altogether.

I rarely feel in danger, but if I do, then I drive. Don't feel shamed into either riding or driving on any given day. There's nothing wrong with either one. Just do what makes you comfortable.

Daniel4

Unless a person is highly unethical, he or she does things because he knows it's the right thing to do considering the circumstances and situation. Yes we all have our justifications and logic for biking in the winter just as motorists and pedestrians have their justifications to continue to think what we do is crazy.

If anybody has ever been involved in discussions about religion, politics or smoking, you know that people don't change their minds listening to facts and logic from someone else. People change their minds on their own.

So having said that, here's my justification.

I live only 4km from work. For 14years I've hated myself for driving all the time. Since I found a safe route to cross a major highway safely nothing was stopping me from commuting by bike since May. When the weather got colder I found that it only took proper dressing and bicycle preparation to bike in any weather and temperature. You don't go hiking in the Arctic in speedos and people have survived there by dressing properly.

As for safety due to other motorists, I don't find the risk it much worse that at any other time with drunk drivers, texters and other road hazards. There's only a short distance during most of my commute where I am in heavy traffic. Most of the time I take side streets until they end.

Leebo

You're in DC? Bwaahhhhaa. Not a really snowy area. Here in New England they are very popular ( See NH, VT, ME) Check the facts first. They work well. MA season for use is Nov to April.

Leebo

So OP, use your good judgement, don't let a cager sway you. I find studded tires very reassuring in winter. Maintain the bike well, get a mirror, triple up on the lights for safety. I like a helmet light, bar light and a blinky bar light. How far is your commute? Have plan B? ( Call someone, bus or train? ) Reflective vest. I love the side visibility of wheel lights. Everyone has their own comfort level. Side streets? Low traffic alternatives ? I'm a mountain biker, so I find commuting sometimes meditative. Got tools and supplies with you? I have found about 6 places to seek shelter if need and have used them. Some ATM's fire stations are great for hail storms, tornado warnings and thunderstorms. I do tend to drive if I have more than 6" of fresh snow, really high winds or colder than 10F. My 18 miles can seem kind of long on the dicey days. Been rear ended by cars in my car 4 times in Boston. Pick yer poison.

modernjess

As has been said, danger is a given at all times and in all seasons. How you prepare and behave is how you minimize those dangers. I've had the same commute for 10 years and know the routes, the dangerous spots, and specific conditions under which I need to avoid them.

As far as equipment goes, If it comes down to weather conditions I literally have no excuse to park the bike. I am prepared to safely handle pretty much anything mother nature can dish out. Whether I ride or not is another matter of course, but it's not because I don't have the right gear or the routes to do it.

spare_wheel

It's been decades since I missed a bike trip due to the weather but I missed a few in the midwest due to major blizzards. In particular, the blizzard of '78 caused me to miss a whole string of commutes (to school).

taverre

The response to my post is very much appreciated. As I predicted, the majority of people on a bike forum are going to say "ride on dude", but I appreciate the depth and detail in response from many posters here. I have concluded that studded tires are a must, mine should arrive tomorrow or early next week. Many people commented on the outfitting and skill of the rider and I want to emphasis that, while I am not an amazing rider, I can at least handle myself fairly comfortably on an intermediate single track/ down hill run and I am familiar with defensive riding tactics from my motorcycle days, my biggest concern here was whether there are road conditions that elevate the chance of car accident, holding texting, absentminded drivers as a constant in any kind of weather. I want to make sure on a -5 degree day I'm choosing to drive my car for safety reasons and not because it's going to be a COLD Ride today.

I I especially agree with the sentiment that one feels more "respected" ie given more room, less car hostility, shouting out the window or honking, when it is cold and or snowy. I also feel more visible and safe riding with my lights in the dark than during the day or in better weather. Side streets seems like a possible good compromise, it may double my ride but that would only put me at 5 mi each way. Another thing to consider is the increase in intersections on side streets and intersections are where the greatest number of traffic accidents occur. I can personally fess up to skidding stops on side streets in snowy weather.
Ultimately, it seems like winter riding isn't inherently any more wreckless or dangerous than fair weather riding. Which either makes me question bike commuting altogether or I resign myself to the philosophy of "nothing in life is guaranteed or completely safe and I can't let fear rule my decisions." I really feel good about bike commuting and want to continue. I wish my neighborhood streets and community were a little more bike friendly but for that I should start reading up on the activist posts and take action. Other neighboring communities have painted bike rider symbols on the road and occasionally a bike lane.

Thank you all for your comments so far. If anyone can weigh in with additional safety vs risk information it would be greatly appreciated.

Daniel4

Examples using the Risk Perspective Scale

1
Risk of Dying next year:
Transport Accidents
Pedestrian 1 in 47,273
Pedal Cyclist 1 in 375,412
Motor Cycle Rider 1 in 89,562
Car occupant 1 in 17,625

CrankyOne

OP, studs (Marathon winters or Nokian) will help immensely, you'll enjoy them.

Come the snow season I'll not ride on roads with cars and trucks. If I can get where I'm going on physically segregated bike paths and cycletracks (which covers most of my destinations) I'll ride, if not I'm in my car. We had something like 500 crashes throughout the metro today compliments of the snow. The vast majority very minor. However, as someone above pointed out, a car sliding in to another car at 25 mph might damage the cars but likely have zero impact on the occupants. A car sliding in to me at 25 mph when I'm on my bicycle could well leave me dead or permanently or seriously injured.

Jim from Boston

Just yesterday I posted this to the current Commuting thread, +Super Cold”

Robert C

It is regional, In some states studded tires are permitted. It isn't even uncommon to see "chain restrictions" in those cases people are required to have tyre chains on all vehicles being used inn the motorway. To enforce the rule inspection stations are set up right on the motorway; an officer will stop the auto and check that tyre chains are installed.

On other instances I have merely been required to show that I had servicable tyre chains in the vehicle.

And Yes, I have studded bicycle tires. I have been riding on ice for several weeks now.

You can add California to that list; it's not all sunshine and beaches.

Jim from Boston

I recently replied to this thread on the Winter Cycling Foum “Winter commuters, do you ride different routes in the snow?"

BTW, readers of this thread might find this other Commuting Forum thread interesting and informative: ”Winter commuting - Create List of potential hazards”

essiemyra

I do not feel comfortable riding on roads that are covered in ice or snow, so I don't. Also morning precipitation will keep me from riding I do not want to be soaking wet arriving to work and start my day. Other than that I will ride.

irwin7638

Cite Rule #9 in any spousal discussion.

Marc

Leebo

One other thought. Car drivers being able to see clearly. Heavy rain, fog and snow tend to be more problematic. The biker may be able to see better than the cagers. Don't get me started on the awesome Ma$$hole drivers not clearing their cars of snow and frost.

loky1179

It all depends on the conditions, and the conditions change mile by mile. Yesterday was the first "real" snow I've ridden in this winter. 2"-3" fell while at work, and the wind blew that into foot high drifts in many places. I'm on MUPs and residental streets for the vast majority of my commute. I avoid any kind of situation where I'd have to take the lane or rely on cars to actually see, slow, and move to get around me. In fact, there is a one block stretch where I'm on a two lane, 30mph road - a minor residential thoroughfare - and I try to time it so I can ride the one block while the traffic is clear.

Fresh snow can be a lot of fun - for miles yesterday, I was the first set of tracks on the trail, and though it was a lot of work, the ride was smooth - almost like first tracks on a ski hill. The streets where there had been some traffic were a different story. The snow was packed down, but not enough to reliably keep the bike on top of the snow. I could ride it, but I was all over the place, and even though I never went down, that was a constant possibility. I don't want to be in front of a tailgating vehicle when that happens.

Everyone has a different idea on what is safe. A 2 mile stretch of my ride is a MUP along a 4 lane, 45 MPH road that has no shoulder. I've seen riders "take the lane" on this road during snow storms - the MUP is usually unrideable if there is more than 3-4 inches of snow. No way would I do this - the traffic moves too fast, there is a curb, so it would be very difficult to bail out if needed, and suburban drivers are just not going to be expecting to see bikes in those lanes. I've pushed my bike the whole two miles on occasion. It probably adds a half hour to my ride - oh well, I'm in it for the exercise. A little cross training can't hurt!

Of course, even MUPs are not 100% safe. Yesterday, I saw the police lights up ahead on the trail. When I got there, a woman had crashed her SUV into a light pole, and the pole had fallen across the trail. Had to dismount and carry my bike over the pole. If I had happened to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time.. . .

KD5NRH

I drive a Saturn in an area where 3/4 ton and larger trucks are a status symbol. It's not going to make much difference whether I'm in the car or on the bike if they slide into me at 40+mph. If we got more than 2-3 days of ice per year, I'd buy some studded tires for the bike and ride when it's icy just to have a better chance of being able to dodge.

mconlonx

I live in southern ME and would not go a winter without studded tires for the car. In fact, soon-to-be-ex-no.2 just purchased a used car, same model as the last one, specifically to fit the extra rims/studded tires she has hanging around.

There have been times I've been riding with studded tires and the car with studded tires would have been a lot better. I can't think of one time driving the car with studded tires where I felt I'd have been safer on a bike, and I can think of a few times which involved drivers w/o studded tires, no winter driving skillz, and hills, where it would definitely have been a lot more dangerous on a bike than in a car.

Truth a lot don't want to admit is that there are conditions such that there shouldn't be anyone on the road at all, outside of emergency and road maintenance vehicles. Know when to stay put and not risk your life on the roads, either in a car or on a bike...

Jim from Boston

In one of my favorite Winter Threads, local subscriber, buzzman of Newton posted a similar warning:

tjspiel

But your chances of getting struck by lightning, blown away by a tornado, washed away by a flash flood, being brought down by storm debris caught in your spokes, or suffering from heat exhaustion were pretty much zero.

My son still bears the scars from going down (on a trail) because a small tree branch got caught in his spokes.

My point is that just like we don't get tornadoes every day in the summer, the roads aren't always as bad as they were yesterday. They are perfectly fine for driving and riding on most days during most winters. Still, my cycling world gets smaller this time of year, especially when the roads are bad. I stick to areas that I know well and am extra cautious around intersections and other areas that tend to get slippery.

In the summer I will virtually never ride on a sidewalk but I've taken to the sidewalks of couple of times in past winters on one particular street when I was worried about cars not being able to stop in time to avoid hitting me.

Anyway, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can pick and choose which winter days to ride on.

takenreasy

You folks in MN have it right. It's all about the gear!