{"id":70415,"date":"2022-02-09T10:37:18","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T15:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/?p=70415"},"modified":"2022-02-10T08:34:57","modified_gmt":"2022-02-10T13:34:57","slug":"a-guide-to-biking-to-work-in-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/healthy-tomorrows\/a-guide-to-biking-to-work-in-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to biking to work\u2026 in winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During his early days in the notoriously cold and snowy city of Ottawa, Dr. Mark Walker was always baffled whenever he saw a cyclist on the road in the middle of winter. From the warmth of his car, he would wonder, \u201cWhy would anyone do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, he is an avid all-season bike commuter himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI now actively encourage people to try to stay on two wheels all year long,\u201d says Dr. Walker. \u201cCycling has an array of health benefits, for you and the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Walker is a member of a growing coalition of health-care providers at The Ottawa Hospital who are passionate about cycling year round. Like Dr. Walker, fellow member Dr. Eugenie Waters was at first hesitant about the idea of biking in winter. Now, she bikes to work three days a week no matter the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBiking to work in the middle of winter isn\u2019t as intimidating as it may sound,\u201d she says. \u201cI used to bike just in the fair-weather months, but after talking to some experienced year-round cyclists and listening to their advice, I realized I didn\u2019t have to let winter stop me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s understandable that you may be concerned about safety, staying warm and the effect on your commute time. This short guide, with tips from The Ottawa Hospital\u2019s physician cyclists, will help you navigate these concerns so you can stay on two wheels all year long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why should I bike to work in winter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Dr.
Dr. Eugenie Waters bikes to work three days a week, even during the coldest months of the year.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Active transportation\u2013meaning any form of human-powered transportation\u2013is healthy for the body and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCycling in particular has been shown to prevent many chronic diseases, reduce all-cause mortality and improve mental health,\u201d says Dr. Walker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Eugenie Waters has experienced the benefits personally. \u201cIt\u2019s been so positive for my own mental health,\u201d she says. \u201cThe thing about biking compared to being in your car is it\u2019s very social. On my route, I get to see other cyclists and people out walking or running. That would never happen if I was taking my car every day. I also really enjoy the chance to be outdoors in nature\u2013I\u2019m lucky that part of my route takes me along the Rideau River.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an added bonus, active transportation plays an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change. According to the Government of Canada<\/a>, transportation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions nationally, accounting for 25% of total emissions, with passenger vehicles accounting for approximately half of all transportation-related emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What should I wear?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Dr.<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou just need the same type of gear that you would wear for any other winter sport,\u201d says Dr. Waters. \u201cJust dress like you\u2019re skiing or skating on the canal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before she sets out on her morning commute, Dr. Waters puts on a balaclava to protect her face from Ottawa\u2019s biting windchill as well as tall winter boots with wool socks. When commuting home at night, she wears a reflective vest to make her stand out on the road. Other than those few specific items, she wears what she usually wears for a winter day: a winter jacket, gloves and a scarf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you overdress, you risk overheating. \u201cYou warm up really quickly,\u201d says Dr. Waters. \u201cOften, by the time I get close to the hospital, I\u2019m unzipping my coat and opening up my sweater because I\u2019m really warmed up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of bike do I need?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may want to save that luxury bike for spring. For winter, the cycling community at EnviroCentre<\/a> recommends an old or used bike that you don\u2019t mind exposing to the elements\u2014particularly salt, which can cause rust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few other quick tips and considerations courtesy of Ottawa\u2019s EnviroCentre:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n