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That’s a very one dimensional view. I love my bike, but riding in the winter is a miserable experience that I would avoid if any alternative existed. It’s not

That’s a very one dimensional view. I love my bike, but riding in the winter is a miserable experience that I would avoid if any alternative existed. It’s not even a safety issue, it’s simply uncomfortable and expensive to get outfitted with appropriate gear. Not everyone lives in San Diego. That doesn’t mean that robust bicycle infrastructure shouldn’t exist.

svpk 4y ago
I do bike regularly in winter in a fairly cold city (it was -8 C today) and would disagree with this. The only gear I’ve bought specifically for winter cycling as opposed to the rest of the year are glasses and a headband. I’d probably recommend a balaclava for someone without a beard. I bought fancy biking glasses, but $5 safety glasses would be passable. Other than that I just wear the clothes fit for wherever I’m going. (Ie jeans, maybe long underwear, a couple layers, and a puffy coat). The comfort part is subjective and I can’t invalidate your experience of course, but I personally find it at worst comparable to the first five to ten minutes of being in a car on a cold day before the car warms up. And on anything but the coldest days I often find I’m a quite comfortable temperature. Though it’s possible to over/under dress and then be hot or cold during the commute. Not that people can’t drive in the winter if they want, but it often feels where I am that people just can’t conceive of the idea that biking in winter is a thing anyone would do. But there’s plenty of evidence that some percentage of people will choose to bike in winter if it’s viable (ie there’s good bike infrastructure).
- LargoLasskhyfv 4y ago
  The most uncomfortable part is touching the cold frame without gloves to carry it up into my condo. Because handling of keys with gloves is fumbly. OTOH I can just put them back on for the short while. Just forgotten it sometimes, or thinking, naa, not necessary. All the other stuff? Shrug

svpk 4y ago

I do bike regularly in winter in a fairly cold city (it was -8 C today) and would disagree with this. The only gear I’ve bought specifically for winter cycling as opposed to the rest of the year are glasses and a headband. I’d probably recommend a balaclava for someone without a beard. I bought fancy biking glasses, but $5 safety glasses would be passable. Other than that I just wear the clothes fit for wherever I’m going. (Ie jeans, maybe long underwear, a couple layers, and a puffy coat). The comfort part is subjective and I can’t invalidate your experience of course, but I personally find it at worst comparable to the first five to ten minutes of being in a car on a cold day before the car warms up. And on anything but the coldest days I often find I’m a quite comfortable temperature. Though it’s possible to over/under dress and then be hot or cold during the commute. Not that people can’t drive in the winter if they want, but it often feels where I am that people just can’t conceive of the idea that biking in winter is a thing anyone would do. But there’s plenty of evidence that some percentage of people will choose to bike in winter if it’s viable (ie there’s good bike infrastructure).

LargoLasskhyfv 4y ago
The most uncomfortable part is touching the cold frame without gloves to carry it up into my condo. Because handling of keys with gloves is fumbly. OTOH I can just put them back on for the short while. Just forgotten it sometimes, or thinking, naa, not necessary. All the other stuff? Shrug