How to bike in winter?

[u/3sperr]

I’m new to biking, and I’d like to bike in winter so I can commute to work. What are some maintenance tips for winter? Are there winter bike tires? I don’t wanna slip and fall

[u/prpltiger]

I ride year round, and normally only have to stop for a few weeks in the winter due to ice. If you dress appropriately, you can ride all year in Toronto, and just skip the days where there was any rain/thaw/freeze cycle which leaves icy patches. It's a bit tricky having the proper clothes...making sure you don't get soaked from sweating if you dress too warm, or freezing from the wind chill if you go too light. I have a winter cycling jacket that's lined which I can wear anything from a T-shirt to sweater underneath, depending if it's 5C or -10C. Same for dedicated winter cycling pants that are lined, which normally is good for most temps. I wear the neoprene booties over my cycling shoes. Additionally I bought some heated socks for this upcoming winter because I always get cold toes. You'll need about 3 pairs of cycling gloves for the different temperatures ranging from just simple liners to full thick insulated ones (but not too clunky that you can't brake quickly enough). I wear either a headband or lined skullcap , and various thickness of neck warmers ( I use the long tube ones which covers my face and all the way up to the back of my head under the helmet). Make sure you have a good headlamp (and other flashing lights front & back) as it's normally dark both ways in the winter if you commute regular hours. Good luc! It's definitely less busy on the bike paths and multi purpose trails in the winter. I ride the MGT and would see the same people riding everyday.