Cities encourage citizens to keep riding through the winter
If you’ve never experienced a cold winter’s day by bike, you are truly missing out! All throughout the U.S., bicyclists are braving chilly mornings and opting for their bike instead of their car. Many cities are encouraging bicyclists to get out and ride this winter by organizing winter-themed events, like Winter Bike to Work Day in Boulder.
In Anchorage, AK, more than 60 bicyclists battled the cold (sub-five degrees!) for the inaugural Zombie Apocalypse Winter Bike Ride. The five-mile ride went through Anchorage neighborhoods, roads, trails, and even over a frozen lagoon. Attendees were decked out in their best zombie apparel and moved at zombie speeds—slow and steady.
The Zombie Apocalypse bike ride cruises over an icy Anchorage lagoon. (Photo: Ian Laing)
Winter riders fill the Anchorage streets on the Zombie ride. (Photo: Ian Laing)
Chicago has created an entire website devoted to riding in the winter months called Bike Winter. The initiative has developed a huge following since its inception in 1999 and plans dozens of events each year aimed to convert more and more “fair weather” riders to winter warriors.
Minneapolis, which was named the #2 Bike City in the U.S. by Bicycling Magazine, has a huge winter riding community. The City’s website even provides tips for winter riders like using an old bike in good working condition and taking off-street trails. Most importantly, they encourage riders to embrace winter and enjoy the ride.
This winter, we urge you to give cold-weather riding a try. Who knows, you may find it just as exhilarating as we do!
For more information on winter biking, browse our past blogs on winter riding tips:
"Winter biking keeps your heart warm" "A Minnesotan's guide to winter biking"
