Thinking of biking through the winter this year? Here are five ways—from Fresh Energy’s Ethan Fawley—to stay safe and warm on your rides.

1. Be visible. You need to be bright to be safe between winter’s short daylight hours, due to reduced awareness of bicyclists (there are fewer of them in the winter) and frost on motorists’ windshields. Use bike lights on the front and back of your bike (you can get perfectly good ones for $25) and a brightly colored vest or jacket. And don’t bike on the sidewalk unless you go very slowly—you’re much less visible.
2. Be warm. It’s easier than you might think because you’re making your own heat! Prioritize hands, face, and feet in that order. You really don’t need anything too fancy here—wear what you’d wear to be comfortable while sitting in a cold car with a little extra protection from the wind. A balaclava is a worthwhile purchase for your face.
3. Give yourself extra time. Especially after a recent snowfall, the roads can be slick when you only have two wheels. Be slow around corners, ease into stops, and generally just give yourself more time just like if you were driving.
4. Combine with the bus. All Metro Transit buses have bike racks, so take advantage of them! Turn your 10-mile commute into a 2-mile bike ride and an 8-mile bus ride. Keeping your ride under 15 minutes will reduce your need for special gear to keep you warm.
5. Prep your bike. A specialized winter bike with studded tires can be nice, but it’s not necessary (although a road bike with skinny tires requires extra snow smarts). Instead, equip your standard commuter bike with fenders to keep you clean and a rack to carry your stuff.

Thinking of biking through the winter this year? Here are five ways—from Fresh Energy's Ethan Fawley—to stay safe and stay warm on your rides.