Winter Ready - Active Travel
Be prepared for active travel in the winter with these tips
Now winter's here, roads footpaths and cycle paths can provide new challenges. Rain, ice and cold temperatures may mean people hang up their walking boots and put away their bikes for the season. But with the right preparation, you can keep walking, running, and cycling all through the winter.
Following these tips can make for a warmer, dryer and more pleasant journey and keep you active over the winter.
Plan your route
- Prior to heading off on your ride/walk/run, consider the routes that may be less affected by bad weather. This could save you some time and make the journey more comfortable.
- Does your route head alongside a river or coastline? Could this route be waterlogged or flooded, stopping you from making progress?
- Be aware of the environment you are in, the path or road surface and the other people using it. Be particularly careful when there's frost or ice on the ground.
- Give yourself more time to stop to avoid slipping or skidding and hurting yourself or others.
Winterise your equipment
- Make sure you have good traction on the soles of your shoes. Clean off the mud from yesterday's walk or run.
- Similarly, ensure that you have good tread on your tyres.
- Running your tyres at lower pressures will increase the size of your contact with the road. Go for the fattest tyre that will fit your frame and reduce the pressure in your tyres a little to just below the recommended levels.
- If you're cycling after sunset, when it's foggy or in poor visibility, remember to stay safe and be seen by wearing reflective or high-vis outer-layers. Make sure you equip your bike with lights, front and back, as this is a legal requirement at night.
- Consider attaching mud guards to bikes to stop any unwanted spray from mud or puddles.
Look after your hands and feet
- Cold hands and feet can make for a miserable journey and painful skin cracks later. Whether it’s thick winter gloves or thermal socks, layer up before heading out to keep yourself comfortable no matter the conditions.
Water-resistant items
- Waterproof coats, trousers and bags can all improve your walk, run or ride, keeping you and your items dry during the winter.
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