[mumblemumble]

2 feet of snow on the ground is rare, and I honestly believe that people's worries about walking and biking in the snow are more reflective of a lack of familiarity than any genuine unpleasantness.

Nordic countries manage strong bike cultures, too, and don't let winter get in the way of that. I have family in a mountain town in Colorado, and there, the only people using cars to get around town are the tourists, even in winter. This is also how all of America was, not too long ago. My great-grandmother did own a car, but opted instead to ride and walk, year-round, basically until the day she had to move into an old folks' home. Her family's first car was a Model T, and she just never did get in the habit of avoiding the outdoors.

Long story short, it's amazing what human bodies can be comfortable with, if only you give them the chance.

[cameronh90]

I cycle around London no matter the weather. During the "beast from the East" a few years ago, I found the biggest problem was that any snow sitting on top of our painted white lines seemed to harden. This would mean I'd hit them like they're a kerb and fall off my bike.

Grip issues aside, cycling in the snow isn't too bad provided you have decent gloves.

[whimsicalism]

Yeah, also when raining - I generally just try to avoid painted lines to bike on.

It's even worse here in SF with our metal thingies in the road.

[wolverine876]

How do you avoid skidding into traffic (or into something else)?

[mumblemumble]

You can get winter tires for bikes. We use studded ones on our cargo bike, and I think that those tires might actually give it more stopping power on ice than regular tires give it on dry pavement.

For my regular old townie, I don't bother. I just pay attention to conditions and slow down when I need to slow down. Ice can be a bit tricky to deal with at low speeds, but one nice trick about bikes is that you can very quickly convert yourself from a bipod to a tripod.

If the weather's really bad and the roads aren't clear, it's a good day to just stay home. IMO cars should be doing the same thing, though. I think that our culture has perhaps become so workaholic that it even overrules common sense.

[wolverine876]

Thanks. Is there a particular kind of stud or tire? Also, is it both wheels? For obvious reasons, it would be much more convenient if it was only the front wheel.

[Grazester]

Had a friend that rode into school on 23rd Street all the way from Williamsburg Brooklyn. Only snow would stop this guy. Cold or rain couldn't. I thought he was nuts because I would have easily taken the train instead.

[wolverine876]

> Nordic countries manage strong bike cultures, too, and don't let winter get in the way of that.

So how do they ride safely in the snow? Skidding on a bike, especially in traffic, can be catastrophic.