Studded winter tires are definitely the way to go when roads are icy. I rode around town today with plenty of packed snow and ice and never once felt like I was at risk. Of course my winter speeds are lower, my braking more cautious and my turns slow and wide compared to dry pavement, but I can still average 12-15 mph over a ten mile ride in small town traffic. Beats the heck out of a trainer in the basement.