With a winter-proof bike, the right clothing, and a suitable riding style, you can pedal even in snow and ice. Here are the most important tips for winter cyclists.
Good tires and lighting are crucial
Wear light-colored, weatherproof clothing
Always take the Pedelec battery with you into the warm
More and more people use bicycles to commute to work all year round – even in winter. But cycling in winter is only fun with the right equipment.
Winter tires, spikes, and mudguards
There is no compulsory winter tire for bicycles in Germany. In general, cyclists should make sure that their tires have a good, not worn profile. Under certain circumstances, you should even choose coarse MTB tires. If you lower the tire pressure a little, you can increase grip.
Unlike cars, spikes are permitted for bicycles but are not recommended without restrictions. Although they improve grip on snow and ice, they have very poor handling characteristics on dry or wet asphalt. Cornering and braking, in particular, become more difficult. The tire manufacturers Continental and Schwalbe, for example, offer special winter tires for bicycles with and without spikes.
Trekking and city bikes usually have mudguards as standard. Mountain bikes, cross bikes, and other sporty models mostly not. They are not required by law anyway. In rain and snow, however, they make sense to arrive reasonably clean.
Lighting: the regulations
Good lighting is required by law – and vital for every winter cyclist. A headlight with a white reflector, a rear light, and a red reflector is essential. Also, the bike must have reflective strips on the front and rear tires, yellow reflectors in the front and rear wheels or reflective spoke sticks on all spokes, and two yellow reflectors on each of the pedals. Only hub dynamos make sense as a power source, as the old side-rotor dynamos slip through quickly in snow and a lot of water.
Winter clothing: that makes sense
Good, breathable, rain-repellent, and windproof sportswear is relatively expensive, but it makes sense. Belong in the wardrobe:
Bicycle helmet
thin, windproof hat
Gloves
breathable functional underwear
Cycling jackets and pants are windproof on the front, but breathable on the back
Overshoes