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Cycling in winter

Cycling in winter can be just as much fun as in the summer months.

Don’t put your bike away when the temperature drops: embrace the cold, wet months with good cycle lights and clothing.

Wear the right gear

  • Ideally you need to set off in an outfit in which you feel a bit chilly for the first few minutes. You’ll soon warm up.
  • Remember to keep you head, hands and feet warm. These tend to feel colder the longer you ride.

Be visible

  • Use front and rear lights and reflectors after sunset, before sunrise and in poor visibility. Check they are working correctly and keep them clean.
  • Wear high-visibility clothing or accessories, or something white or bright.

Protect yourself

  • Wear a cycle helmet and make sure it is the correct size and properly fitted.

Make sure you know what’s going on around you

  • Have a good look around before starting, stopping, turning left and right and also before overtaking parked vehicles.
  • Use your ears as well as your eyes. Don't use a mobile phone or MP3 / iPod’s as they will distract you; you need all your senses so you are aware of everything around you.

Passing vehicles

  • Never pass nearside between traffic and the pavement especially close to junctions. Particularly with large vehicles where the driver may not have noticed you in their wing mirrors.

When you can ride on a pavement

  • When it is a designated as cycle path. Where this is the case, moderate your speed and take care when passing pedestrians and at junctions.