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.
鈥淚t pays to be as visible as possible, to make sure that drivers can see you at all times,鈥� says Daniel Hoagland, education coordinator of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association.
Motorists tend to be less aware of bicyclists when negotiating wintry roads.
鈥淥ne 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鈥檚 precipitation on the ground,鈥� Hoagland says.
Clothing and lights boost visibility.
鈥淏righter clothing, reflectivity, making sure that you have lights on your bicycle and those lights have fresh batteries,鈥� Hoagland says.
Bicyclists should slow down on slippery roads and make sure their brakes are dry by tapping them lightly before they鈥檙e needed to stop.
鈥淚 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鈥檓 not locking my wheels up,鈥� he says.
It鈥檚 also a good idea to inspect your bike before you venture out in wintry weather.
鈥淢ake sure your tires are pumped up to the proper pressure. Make sure that your brakes are adjusted so that they鈥檒l stop you when you need them,鈥� 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.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 going to be bad out there, take the extra time, make sure you鈥檙e paying attention, and if all else fails, there鈥檚 no harm in taking the bus,鈥� Hoagland says.
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