How Winter Cycling Finally Clicked for Us

We’ve had a complicated relationship with biking in the winter. Unlike some of our favourite channels on the topic, we’re not long-time winter cyclists ourselves. We only started getting into year-round cycling a few years ago. At first it was exciting, we were breaking a mental block that we didn’t realize we had. So you don’t need to stop biking when the weather gets cold and snow starts to fall? Why didn’t anyone tell us this before? Why is our culture so weird about this? But biking in the winter never really became something we did that often. We did it here and there, it was a fun novelty, but it never felt that natural and we still shifted to walking and transit for most of our winter transportation needs.

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[dissidentsMax]

Having a roof over the bike stations might help with the snow and ice build up

[binoutech]

The bixi + metro combination is so sooo practical.

[Frostbiker]

I think the biggest obstacle to winter cycling is whether or not the bike infrastructure is properly maintained throughout the year. Your bike doesn't get nearly as filthy when the path is clear of snow, which removes many of the problems you highlight in this video.

[bdj]

One solution that my local bike share has for snow around stations is getting volunteers to clear a station and they get paid in rider credits. Also we have a NFC tap option linked to a Presto card for unlocking and its super handy instead of only a QR code!

[AllTheUrbanLegends]

I used to work in operations for big bikeshare in San Francisco. The docking problem you described is somewhat common everywhere because it's surprisingly difficult to find truly level ground for a station. When you encounter a dock that's giving you an error simply lift up on the seat. 9x out of 10 the dock will catch or release. After a few times you'll immediately recognize where the balance point is so you'll know how far to lift.

[letsgoOs]

Belts and internal gear hub is a huge win for winter biking

[joshthompson]

Grateful that Edmonton is getting really good at clearing paths. We usually have same day clearing for our winter grid, then our multi use paths and such might take a few more days at times.

But overall, biking year round in Edmonton is becoming really doable and enjoyable in a lot of central areas. Even without bike share!

I also get the “winter bike” thing, but personally I love using an ebike in the winter. Gets you going faster, helps in loose snow, helps with getting started at intersections that can be slippery!

[MrCyclist]

I grew up in Montreal and moved in 2001 for Toronto. I would store my bike from Nov 1 to April 1. The first year in TO there was zero snow and I got spoiled with snow free winter riding. How nice. Since then I was able to bike every day to work as the snow fall is negligible and the streets and side walks were fully plowed within a day or two. Now retired, I bike in Vaughan, an adjacent suburb of TO where I reach by subway and bike snow free as if a spring day. Zero snow on the roads as the city of Vaughan plows the roads fully and the sun melts any snow left over. No slush to contend with.

[UnchainedCyclist]

Yah, I’ve been biking year round in Montreal for about 15 years. Rented Bixi last winter and I was very happy for the most part. The problem is that it’s unreliable insofar as my docking station was empty on many occasions making me walk to the next station, making me late for work. Other than that though, it was a great experience and I actually like the bikes for winter and they save my expensive commuter from rust and whatnot.

[meganoobbg]

I've been riding a bike on ice since 11 years old - our main road turns into a frozen river. Funny thing everyone is too scared to drive or even walk around here when snow falls. So i found no problem using a bicycle as a sleigh. Mountain bike is preferable for winter riding though.

[Tehnameless]

Great video! About sums up my winter biking experience too. Didn't know they had the fobs, Bixi can expect a bunch of orders, one from yours truly!

[atn_holdings]

I work at the big office tower corner Rosemont/St-Denis and anecdotally I've seen a lot more normies winterbiking this winter than usual and a lot of them were using bixis. I find it really fun to see some regular shmo in slacks riding through light slush with no gloves thinking hey buddy! welcome to the club! It's really cool

[LucasMakes]

It's my second winter biking in Montreal. It saves me so much money and the new bike path on des pins is so nice now that it's open. I have one bike so i get it cleaned at my local bike shop regularly.

[leifsegeln]

the 2024 winter in Montreal was also notoriously warm and light on precipitations. Before the April 4th fall, there was like 2 or 3 weeks where snow on the ground was basicly gone. there even was a 15C day mid feburaby. I dont think there was even one day of -20. Your video does a great job highliting the benefits of winter bixi wich is to outsource the problem of bike ownership during winter.

[OntarioTrafficMan]

I do bike year-round in Ottawa since I happen to live in an area that does get pretty good winter bike path clearance so my biggest issue in winter is rust. If Ottawa had a bikeshare system I'd for sure use that during winter instead. Rust isn't an issue for bikeshare operators because the bikes are used so intensively that they wear out more quickly than they can rust anyway, even if they get ridden through the winter.

[PoserBallin]

Great video! I love riding in the winter and when my neighbours ask me in disbelief how can I do that in the cold, I just remind them about skiing and how comfortable that sport is with the right gear. Seems to hit the note. too bad in Ottawa (like you said in the video) most of my main routes into the city from riverside south are left to become snow banks and safety concerns stop me from doing my work commuter, but I keep up with local erands and groceries.

[pdblouin]

My walk to work in Ottawa had me jump over 3 of those chain-link stair barriers. I may or may not have tripped one time.

[nickv]

I tried winter biking this year in Ottawa. It was way easier than I expected, there were maybe 2 days that were too icy to bike without studded tires. The only problem was close calls with aggressive drivers where bike infrastructure wasn't usable. I work in the suburbs past the Greenbelt and there's no winter bike infrastructure for most of my commute but within the core the snow clearing was pretty good

[jimlawton]

Excellent video! I didn’t know about the Bixi key-thank you for sharing that. I was in Montreal mid November and found it frustrating to have to use the app at every station. Also if you happen to be low on battery, or in the winter your phone dies because of the cold, it becomes unusable! Glad they’re starting winter service tho!

[jackl]

Greetings from Grand forks, North Dakota. Year round biker here, welcome to the club