Although it is still a damp and cold winter, cycling to work during winter is also a good option.
This not only allows you to get some physical exercise during colder times of the year, but also allows you to breathe fresh air and enjoy the warm winter sun. Compared to the stuffy subway, bus, or extremely congested car commuting, cycling to and from work can also save a lot of commuting expenses.
But if you plan to ride your bike to and from work throughout the winter, you need to make the necessary preparations.
We will educate you on the necessary precautions for commuting by bicycle in winter. The content includes the additional accessories you may need and the additional maintenance that may be required to make your bike ride properly.
How to dress when commuting by bicycle in winter?
When cycling in winter, you may encounter cold winds and rain. Occasionally, only one of them may appear, but more often it is a combination of wind and rain. So you should be more prepared to dress for it.
Wet and Cold Weather Set

▲ High quality cycling windbreakers are essential for winter commuting
Having a high-quality and exquisitely crafted waterproof cycling jacket is a good idea. Because most of them are made of breathable fabric, which helps reduce sweating. The hooded design can effectively prevent rainwater from seeping into the skin from the back, but it can interfere with vision. Wearing a hood inside the helmet is more suitable than outside in this situation.
You also need to keep your legs dry. At this time, you can consider wearing waterproof pants or waterproof winter backpack riding pants.
Waterproof shoe covers or winter cycling shoes can also help keep feet from getting wet, while winter cycling gloves usually come with a waterproof coating or film. A waterproof cycling cap helps to keep the head dry while cycling in the rain.
Cold weather suit

▲ In the cold winter, commuting requires wearing multiple layers of clothing
Cold weather requires sufficient clothing to maintain core warmth. A long sleeved base coat is a great start. Then, if the weather is very cold, you should add a fleece cycling jacket and a long sleeved sports shirt between the two.
Winter cycling pants with wool backing help keep legs warm. If you want better windproof effect, you can wear waterproof pants outside.
Although professional winter cycling jackets may not be very heavy, they can be combined with wet and cold equipment to cope with cold and humid commuting problems. In either case, Merino wool or synthetic bottoms can be considered as they can maintain warmth even when wet. Cotton will become cold and wet after getting wet, making it uncomfortable, so it is important to avoid cotton materials.
Pay attention to the outdoor temperature. If your commuting time is short, you may not be able to fully warm up before reaching your destination; If the commuting time is long, in case you wear too much, you may feel uncomfortable.
A multi-layer coat is more adaptable than a heavy coat, and if it feels too hot, you can also unzip or remove one of them. It is also worth considering having an extra lightweight jacket to avoid the temperature dropping before the return trip.
You can also be prepared to ride in ice and snow, but this requires more necessary preparation.