February 2007 | Ask the Green Commish

You Can Still Bike in the Winter

By Sadhu A. Johnston

Dear Commish: I hear you talking a lot about using public transportation and biking. Well, how do you deal with the bitter winter weather on a bike? — Spinning My Wheels

Dear Spinning My Wheels: Some people think I’m crazy for trying to bike through the winter, but it’s actually a blast! You get the bike path to yourself, the lake is beautiful at this time of year, and it’s a great way to stay in shape throughout the winter. As an avid cyclist who travels more than 20 miles almost every day down our magnificent lakefront, I can definitely appreciate the difficulties of riding during freezing weather. There are a number of challenges to overcome like the cold and icy road conditions. From my experience, there are a few simple things you can do to make cycling during the winter more comfortable. I recommend giving it a try at least once if for no other reason than to say you’ve done it! And, the largest contributors to air pollution in Chicago are from mobile sources, so getting out of the car can make a big difference on the environment, too.

Chicago is recognized as one of the most bike-friendly big cities in America. We have more than 70 miles of bike paths and more than 10,000 bike racks across the city. All of this has taken place because we have a mayor who understands the importance of residents utilizing public transportation, walking and biking whenever possible. Sure, the temperature can plummet on any given day, but alternative means of getting around are practical ways to reduce harmful vehicle emissions and walking and biking provide exercise as an added benefit.

Preparation for cold weather can involve your type of dress, bike maintenance and how you deal with the snow and ice. Here are a couple of things to think about when deciding what to wear:

Clothing Storage: It’s important to dress warmly, which means wearing clothing that you don’t likely wear during your workday. This means that you’ll need a place to change and store your work clothing as well as a way to carry work clothes on the bike. Many buildings like City Hall have indoor bike storage rooms with lockers. If your building doesn’t have such a room, check out the Millennium Park bike station; it has showers and lockers as well as indoor bike parking.

Head: Cover your head to conserve the most heat. Wear a facemask, too. The only problem with wearing one of these is the hat head at the end of the ride.

Hands: Wool or fleece gloves will keep hands warm even when wet. For freezing temperatures and below, consider adding a liner or try an outer shell made of water/windproof material.

Feet: Avoid too many sock layers because they can cut off circulation. Bring an extra pair of socks in case the first pair gets wet. Cover your shoes with cycling overbooties, or try a plastic bag over your socks.

Torso: A thin water/windproof jacket is a must. Jackets should be long so they don’t ride up and expose you to cold air, and large enough for layers underneath. Shorter commutes may require warmer clothing since the body has less time to heat up.

Legs: Consider wearing tights or long underwear with another layer over them for protection from the wind. Rain pants are an option for snow, wind, and rain—get them long so you can easily bend your knees.

Let’s be realistic, though. Chicagoans are used to waking up and seeing 6 to 7 inches of fresh snow outside their windows on any given morning. With that said, not every day this winter is going to lend itself to good cycling. In some instances, it is wiser to leave your bicycle at home and take advantage of public transportation.

And for those short trips, I always suggest letting your feet do the walking. Any time spent walking is a boost to your body. Plus, there are no emissions and one less vehicle on our streets.

The next time it snows does not mean that you have to hibernate or start the engine of your car. Realize that spring is right around the corner, and anything is possible in Chicago, including biking to work or school in freezing weather.

Sadhu A. Johnston is commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Environment.

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