WASHINGTON — Bicycling is so popular that snowy, slushy, wet pavement fails to discourage the legions of riders who commute daily to school and work.
Drivers need to watch out for them, and bicyclists must exercise extra caution in wintry riding conditions.
“It pays to be as visible as possible, to make sure that drivers can see you at all times,” says Daniel Hoagland, education coordinator of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association.
Motorists tend to be less aware of bicyclists when negotiating wintry roads.
“One of the keys to riding a bike in the winter is to understand that drivers are going to be paying attention to a lot more than you think when there’s precipitation on the ground,” Hoagland says.
Clothing and lights boost visibility.
“Brighter clothing, reflectivity, making sure that you have lights on your bicycle and those lights have fresh batteries,” Hoagland says.
Bicyclists should slow down on slippery roads and make sure their brakes are dry by tapping them lightly before they’re needed to stop.
“I make sure never to turn and brake at the same time. I try my best to brake first and shed all my speed before I have to make a turn; that way, I’m not locking my wheels up,” he says.
It’s also a good idea to inspect your bike before you venture out in wintry weather.
“Make sure your tires are pumped up to the proper pressure. Make sure that your brakes are adjusted so that they’ll stop you when you need them,” Hoagland says.
There are fewer bikes on the road when the weather turns nasty, but the die-hard bicyclists still roll even when the snow flies.
“If it’s going to be bad out there, take the extra time, make sure you’re paying attention, and if all else fails, there’s no harm in taking the bus,” Hoagland says.
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