Top 10 reasons to bike to work in the winter

While the advantages of biking to work in the winter season are numerous, we’ve narrowed them down to a chilly top 10 to keep it brief and frosty.

Frosty Fun!

Cycling to work in winter is an exhilarating and joyous experience. Many people fondly recall the excitement of riding their bikes through snowy neighborhoods in their youth, and the winter commute allows you to bring that sense of carefree enjoyment into your daily routine. Take in the snowy scenery, listen to the crunch of snow beneath your tires, and exchange waves with fellow winter cyclists. You might even find yourself wishing your snowy commute were longer. People do all manner of activities in the wintertime outdoors, bike commuting is just one more reason to get out there.

Winter Fitness

Winter biking is a fantastic workout. While the calories burned may vary based on factors like speed and snowy terrain and whether or not you are pedalling an e-bike, winter cycling generally burns as many calories as jogging, minus the harsh impact on your joints. It enhances cardiovascular and aerobic fitness, lowers blood pressure, boosts energy, builds muscle, and improves coordination. Sneak in these health benefits during your winter commute, and it’ll feel like a winter wonder workout — outdoors, instead of heading to the stinky old gym on a dark winter’s night… again.

Winter Bliss

Deciding to bike to work in the winter brings happiness. Unlike the stressful nature of sitting in traffic or navigating crowded public transit, winter biking can transform your daily commute into a form of cold therapy. Numerous studies highlight how daily exercise, even in the chill of winter, can reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of the winter blues, improve sleep for those with seasonal insomnia, and reduce anxiety. Plus, outdoor exercise, whether in snowy urban landscapes or serene winter wonderlands, enhances self-confidence and uplifts overall mood.

Brain Freeze-Power

Winter biking makes you sharper. While it might not turn you into a winter Einstein overnight, research suggests that moderate daily exercise can prevent cognitive decline, sharpen memory, and enhance overall brain performance. So, even if winter biking doesn’t make you a Nobel laureate, it might just make you a snow genius at your job.

Snowy Savings

Biking to work in winter saves you money. A considerable amount. With rising gas prices and the soaring cost of car ownership, a winter commuter bike is a cost-effective alternative. A new winter-ready commuter bike can cost between $250 and $1,500 USD, with an average yearly maintenance cost of around $50 USD, or a range of $1,000US and up for an e-bike. Even if you opt for top-of-the-line winter gear, like studded tires and thermal clothing, you’re still looking at substantial savings compared to the costs of driving in winter conditions — which is already in the thousands before you even start the engine. There’s also special tires, more maintenance, and other costs.

Photo by Robert Ruggiero (Unsplash)

Share The Wealth

Winter biking doesn’t just save you money; it saves everyone money by taking cars off the road, lowering health care costs,  and generally making the city a better place to be. There are studies that show cycling infrastructure is also great for local businesses. There is little change a car commuting down a main street will stop, let alone in winter. But, cyclists are already out in the cold and don’t have a care in the world about shopping local and spreading the love.

Fresh Air Only

The transportation sector contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, with cars and trucks being major culprits. A solo driver in an average North American vehicle releases about 1.2 pounds of CO2 per mile, while the average winter cyclist releases only 0.7 grams through chilly respiration. With a winter bike’s life-cycle energy use significantly lower than that of a standard sedan, making the switch to winter biking is a straightforward and environmentally friendly change.

Winter Convenience

One common misconception about winter biking is that it’s inconvenient. But what’s more inconvenient than dealing with slippery roads, shoveling snow off your car, or getting stuck in winter traffic? Winter biking eliminates the hassle of finding parking—just spot the nearest sturdy pole, lock up your winter steed, and stroll away, or better yet convince your boss to install a bike locker or bike hanger in the office. Cyclists avoid traffic snarls and aren’t at the mercy of winter transit delays, making winter bike commuting as swift or even faster than driving in snowy urban settings. With winter-ready panniers and cycling bags, carrying your winter work essentials is a breeze. Many workplaces now provide secure winter parking, showers, and other facilities, making winter bike commuting more convenient than ever.

Winter Safety

The more winter cyclists there are on the snowy roads, the safer they become. A study from McGill University found that cyclists are equally safe whether pedalling in the summer or the winter. As more people bike to work in the winter in a given city, the number of winter collisions between drivers and cyclists decreases. This isn’t just because there are fewer cars; driver behavior adapts to include safer practices when encountering winter cyclists. With the perception of winter biking safety improving, more people join the winter biking ranks, creating a, ahem, snowball effect of safety.

Winter Freedom

Just as the first solo ride without training wheels feels like freedom for kids, and the first car defines teenage freedom, winter biking offers a unique sense of liberation for adults. After years of being stuck in winter traffic or endlessly circling snowy city blocks for parking, the car can start feeling like a frosty prison. Break free from the winter commute shackles and rediscover that liberating feeling. Explore the winter city at your own pace, take a different snowy route, and stop for hot cocoa on the way to work. Winter biking opens literal and figurative avenues to experience your city in a whole new way. It’s your winter wonderland—go live in it!

Ready to conquer the frosty commute and bike to work in the winter? Cool.