Cycling in winter is just as environmentally friendly as in summer. With the right clothes, you will arrive warm and dry. These 5 tips and tricks will help you to ride your bike safely even when it's slippery.
Faster than on foot, more sporty than by bus, and also environmentally friendly - only the bike offers that. At first glance, winter doesn't seem like the typical cycling season. But since climate protection knows no seasons, we can help you to make you and your bike winter-proof. You probably already have many things at home that make cycling comfortable and safe in winter. You can find out how a tissue handkerchief and a newspaper can be useful for you while cycling, for example, below in the article.
For winter cycling, you need appropriate winter clothing. However, you should be careful with special functional clothing, as it often contains harmful PFCs or non-degradable plastics that release microplastics when washed and worn. If you regularly cycle long distances or need more functional clothing for the winter for other reasons, support outdoor or winter sports brands that pay attention to environmental protection and fair working conditions with your purchase.
Cycling in winter without freezing
Cold temperatures, wetness, and cutting wind prevent you from cycling in winter? You can overcome these hurdles with the right equipment. Rain trousers, a waterproof jacket, and lined, waterproof shoes help against precipitation. The principle of the onion look does not only prove itself when cycling. Put several layers of clothing on top of each other, like the individual layers of an onion. On the one hand, the layers of fabric keep the cold out, and on the other, you can add or remove individual layers as required.
The face and hands are usually the only uncovered parts of the body in winter. Protect your skin from the cold. Always wear gloves on the bike. Protect the sensitive skin with a raised scarf (you can also knit a scarf yourself ). It's best to buy modern winter accessories from fair and sustainable labels. Compared to conventional brands, you protect the environment and support better conditions for the producers.
If you fancy a change in your winter wardrobe, swap accessories with a friend: inside or use second-hand shops and platforms. A self-sewn face mask also keeps out the cold well. If the alternation of cold wind and dry heated air dries out your skin, care for it with natural home remedies for dry skin or certified natural cosmetics.
Cycling in winter - with an insulating layer
When the wind blows through the jacket, another layer of insulation is needed. Especially if you don't ride your bike through the cold winter air every day, no special functional clothing is necessary: simple newspaper is just as suitable. To do this, slide a layer of newspaper under your shirt and tuck the shirt into your pants so that the newspaper doesn't slip out.
The newspaper is useful when cycling in winter because it reliably shields the wind. When you have read it and no longer need it as an insulating layer, dispose of it properly in the paper waste so that it can be recycled. With paper recycling, you contribute to the sustainable use of forests and their wood resources. Because paper is very easy to recycle material: According to the Federal Environment Agency, 76 percent of the paper goods produced in Germany were made from waste paper in 2018.
Cycle safely on slippery surfaces in winter
Be prepared for slippery floors in cold and wet weather. Even if the thermometer does not yet show zero degrees Celsius, the ground can become frozen and slippery. So that you don't slip away on ice, mud, and snow when cycling in winter, there are various options:
If you cycle a lot in winter, you can get winter tires for your bike. These have more profile and are equipped with spikes so that you don't slip on black ice.
All-weather tires work - as the name suggests - for all types of weather. They too have a good profile.
If you inflate the tires a little less tightly in winter, there is more tire surface on the ground. This also offers you additional stability to the tire profile. Overall, behave carefully on your bike in winter and consider our tips on how to make your bike winterproof. Whatever the weather or the season, always wear a helmet when cycling. This can save your life!
Light is a duty
When it gets dark early in winter, good bike lights are important. Not only so that you can see the road, but also so that other road users can recognize you early on. Appropriate lighting for bicycles is even required by law in the StVZO.
Dynamo-operated lights do not require additional batteries, as you generate the electricity for the lamp yourself while driving. If there are reasons that speak against a dynamo on your bike, opt for a solution with rechargeable batteries. This means that you are more sustainable on the road than with conventional batteries, which devour large amounts of energy during production.
You are even more visible when cycling in winter with light-colored or reflective clothing. When you buy a new helmet or a new bike, you can take this point directly into the account and opt for bright colors. A winter jacket or rain trousers in a striking color also make you more visible. Other options are a reflective vest or reflective strips and accessories.
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