I always roll my eyes at anyone biking where it's snows and there's ice and they claim "but they plow the roads well here". Yeah, except for that one patch of black ice that you're going to hit eventually.

Some people are more thrill seeking than I am, but technology does make it possible to ride when there's ice with no safety issues - it's called studded tires.

Here in Minnesota I use Schwalbe Marathon Winters in 35c:
http://www.evelostore.lv/userfiles/i...1405621546.jpg

I aim for patches of ice with those because they're so grippy on ice it's better than snow.

If I lived in a more "probably won't see any ice but can't be sure" climate, I'd use the 45nrth Xerces (30c):


Smooth tread down the middle, studs if you start to slide or you're turning. With high tire pressure the studs don't come into contact with the ground when you're going straight.

Riding a bike over a foot and a half of snow, technology has not solved. But ice? You can ride on just ice perfectly safely with the right tires.