Is Cycling In Cold: Good or Bad? All You Need To Know

It can be daunting for new riders to think about cycling in cold conditions. Whether you’re training, commuting, or just hoping to keep up with your fitness, you need to know what to expect from cycling when the temperatures outside drop. So, is cycling in the cold good or bad?

Cycling in the cold is good if you take all the necessary precautions to stay safe on the road and you ride with care. It has no adverse health effects if you’re well-prepared, and it can help you burn some extra calories. The biggest challenge is to have sufficient lights and reflective details to stay visible and to see the road ahead.

There are steps you can take to ensure you’re as safe as you can be on the road, and we’ll cover all that below, alongside some surprising benefits of cycling in colder conditions too!

By the end of this post, I hope you’ll see that whilst you need to take extra precautions when cycling in the cold, it can still be a very enjoyable, beneficial activity to take part in, even when it gets colder.

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I use the following products to make sure that I am as safe as possible on every single ride:

• A good front light. I use the Cateye Volt 800, which is not always available and can be replaced by the Cateye AMPP 800 (available on Amazon)
• A good rear light. I bought mine in Lidl, and it is very similar to the Cateye X2, which gives you plenty of visibility. It can be purchased in a bundle with the AMPP 800 on Amazon.
• Reflective vest. This one can be put on any jacket you use and it will immediately 10x your visibility.

Chances of an accident riding in cold

This will be a question on everyone’s lips. Unfortunately, the data just isn’t very good on this matter. Every year the U.S. Department of Transportation records more cyclist deaths and accidents in summer than in winter.

In fact, in 2019, January had the lowest number of cyclist deaths and injuries of any other month that year. There is, however, an obvious explanation for that: More people are cycling in summer than in winter, so more people get hurt in that time period.

If you look at the data alone, then it appears as though cycling in winter is actually safer. But I’d encourage you to dig a little deeper.

The U.S. Department of Transportation also found that most fatal accidents happen in low light conditions, and most accidents involving cyclists happen between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. These times in winter are often darker, so when you mix those facts together, you start to understand that maybe cycling in colder conditions when the lighting is low isn’t as safe as it first seemed.

So are you more likely to be involved in an accident when cycling in cold? According to the stats, no, but common sense says yes.

Chances of an injury

Muscles and joints can get injured too, but does this happen more often in cold weather than in hot? Proper warm-up is an essential part of any physical activity as it prevents injury from sudden muscle contractions.

When the weather is cold, your muscles are naturally colder, especially if you’ve been exposed to cold for some time before sitting on your bicycle. This means that it takes some time for your legs and your entire body to generate enough heat to get up to normal “operating temperature”.  

In cold, but especially when the temperature is around or below freezing point, you need to start off slow and take the first mile very easy so your legs warm up. This will prevent you from pulling your muscle with a sudden move and it also reduces the chances of getting cramps on the bicycle.

What are the bad sides of cycling in the cold?

There is no denying that there are some bad sides to cycling in cold conditions. As you’ll see throughout this post, it can be unpleasant, but that doesn’t mean it will be. Still, it’s important that you know what you’re getting yourself into if you choose to go cycling in the winter months.

Decreased visibility

Decreased visibility isn’t just a problem for other road users, it’s a problem for you as a cyclist too.

If you’re cycling in cold conditions, it’s likely going to be dark, making things trickier for you. Patches of fallen leaves, black ice, and wet patches on the road can all take you by surprise and cause you to take a painful tumble.

Cycling in the cold isn’t for the faint-hearted because you really have to keep your wits about you to stay upright.

Uncomfortable at times

Biting winds, sheets of rain, ice-cold chills – none of them sound like the pleasant summer Sunday rides you’re probably used to whilst the weather is hot.

And riding in these conditions isn’t comfortable. You’ll have to face some tough conditions whilst cycling in cold, and for many cyclists, the rewards simply aren’t worth the hassle of commuting to work when it’s so unpleasant.

Slower riding overall

Which brings us on to the next point: Poor weather. And yes, that poor weather will make you uncomfortable, but it’ll also make you late.

Whenever it’s cold outside, the roads slow down. Motorists, cyclists, pedestrians – everybody takes things a little easier because the weather isn’t great.

A 30-minute ride can easily become a 45-minute one if you get stuck in poor cold weather on your way to work.

What are the good sides of cycling in cold?

But don’t worry, it isn’t all doom and gloom, and there are just as many cyclists who love cycling in the cold as those who loathe it! Whilst cycling when it’s cold isn’t for everyone, some prefer it. One reason is that the roads are quieter and there are fewer fellow cyclists getting in the way. But there are plenty of other reasons, too!

Do you burn more calories by cycling in the cold?

Once you reach your normal temperature, you don’t burn more calories than in a regular ride, but it takes some extra energy to warm up your body.

Our bodies work hard to keep our temperatures regulated. So hard, in fact, that when it’s cold outside, we naturally burn more calories anyway.

Shivering can actually help us burn 100 calories in just 15 minutes just by doing nothing. As our muscles work to warm us up, you can give them a little boost by cycling too. That way, it’s like you’re getting two workouts for the price of one!

So yes, you do actually burn more calories cycling in the cold, especially in the first few miles. Not only does the shivering help, but your body must work harder to battle the conditions on the road.

Exciting challenge

It seems crazy to some, but there are lots of cyclists who see winter conditions as an exciting challenge for them to overcome.

It’s a real test of skill to be out there safely on the roads when it’s cold, so it’s no wonder that so many people like heading out to put their skills to the test to prove to themselves and others that they really are skilled cyclists.

Whilst novices should hone their cycling skills for a while first, if you’re relatively experienced and feel confident on the road, then cycling in winter can be fun!

Good way to keep warm

If you have to commute to work anyway, then cycling can actually keep you warm when it’s cold out.

No matter what the weather is like when you’re cycling, you will produce excess heat because you’re doing a physically demanding activity. That means your body will eventually warm up and get used to the cold conditions.

So if it’s a choice between walking to work or riding, then riding will probably be a more pleasant experience overall!

Still keeping fit

There’s a reason so many people want to get a ‘summer body’, and it’s because they gave up on their fitness regime when winter rolled around. And I get it. It’s hard to push yourself to workout when it’s cold.

But, if cycling is something you do to keep fit now, whether it’s training or commuting, it doesn’t have to stop just because it’s cold out. In fact, our next section will tell you how to do it safely, so there’s no reason to give it up if you don’t want to!

How to be best prepared for cycling in cold

You can make your life much easier by being prepared for cycling in cold conditions. Follow the tips below and you’ll be much less likely to find yourself in an accident when cycling in the cold. You’ll need to think about:

– Braking: Braking in cold and wet conditions is much more difficult. Your stopping distance can double when it’s cold and wet outside. So, you’ll need to consider how soon you need to hit the brakes to avoid collisions. First, you’ll need to travel much slower than you’re used to now until you become comfortable braking when it’s cold, too.

– Cornering: Cornering is another thing that’s more difficult when cold. You need to be aware of road markings, curbs, and drains usually, but they can become even more dangerous when it’s cold outside because this is where ice can form. You’ll also not be able to see as far when it’s cold because it’ll also be darker, so be extra vigilant and pick a safe path on the road. The last thing you want to do is swerve to avoid ice on a corner, just to find yourself in the path of passing traffic.

– Visibility: That’s your visibility, in terms of what you can see in front of you, but also other road users being able to see you. I love my Cateye Volt 800 or the AMPP 800 because it allows me to ride on the darkest roads with confidence, and people can see me from miles away. It’s a very small price to pay for and you can grab some great deals on Amazon here. I also recommend using a good rear light like the Cateye Rapid X2 and a reflective vest. It’s the best way to see and be seen!

– Routes: You can go one of two ways here. Either avoid highly trafficked routes where possible (but these are much less likely to be well-lit) or stick to highly trafficked roads with good visibility (but this exposes you to more potential hazards). Whichever way you decide to go, be sensible. If it’s icy, stick to major traffic routes you know will be treated for extra grip. If you take quieter routes, be prepared to purchase brighter lights to illuminate the path ahead.

– Allow extra time: It will take you longer to get to places. So long as you’re prepared for that, then it’s OK. Just make sure you’re never rushing to get anywhere when cycling in cold conditions because this can quickly spell disaster for you. Allow extra time so you can travel with caution.

– Position on the road: Make sure you’re cycling close to the sidewalk but not so close that you’re at risk of swerving into it. Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you have to make way for other road users. Assert yourself on the road so everybody can see you. It’s the best way to guarantee your safety when it’s cold out.

– Your common sense: Before you head out on any ride, regardless of the weather, use your common sense. Especially so in colder conditions, though. If it’s snowing heavily, icy on the roads, and there’s poor visibility, then don’t ride. Even if you enjoy the challenge, you must admit that sometimes no amount of skill will keep you upright if the weather is too bad. There’s no shame in opting not to ride in cold conditions if you think it’s too unsafe to do so.

Points to remember

Cycling in cold conditions can be hard. It requires more preparation, more time, and more awareness of road safety. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it!

So long as you take the time to prepare yourself for the conditions, ride sensibly and safely, and think carefully about your route before heading off, then riding in colder conditions can be great. There are plenty of benefits to it.

Just make sure the benefits are worth the slightly increased risk to your safety before you put on your cycling gear and hit the road! The key things we want you to remember are to stay safe, be sensible, and use your common sense before cycling in the cold!

Happy pedaling!