Eugene is renowned for being one of the most biker-friendly cities in the nation, offering a plethora of bike trails and beautiful scenery to provide a diversion from daily life and a source of exercise.
For students, bicycles supply a convenient and inexpensive source of transportation during the commute to and from campus, work and home. However, the dreary weather of Oregon’s winter months offers challenges to even the hardiest bikers; without proper gear and safety knowledge, winter biking can be miserable and even hazardous.
Wet weather gear
As wet weather becomes the norm, riders are rushing into bicycle shops to purchase wet weather gear and apparel, said Dan Wallis, a Collins Cycle Shop employee. From rain apparel and fenders to lights and waterproof gloves and bags, students are gearing up for the winter months ahead.
However, in order for rain gear to be effective, students need to understand the differences between types of gear, said Suzanne Hanlon, Outdoor Program assistant coordinator. Hanlon — former director of tours at Adventure Cycling in Montana — said cyclists have two options when selecting waterproof gear: breathable or non-breathable. For Eugene residents, the best choice is breathable, Hanlon said.
“Waterproof rain gear that’s not breathable is good for short trips and during downpours when your priority is keeping rain off you,” Hanlon said. “For long trips, you need breathable gear or you’ll sweat so much from the inside you’ll be just as soaked as if you were [exposed to the rain].”
Even if the sky offers the occasional reprieve from rain, riders need to be aware of the harm to clothing that wet pavement or grass can deliver.
“The problem for students is you get soaked from the ground up,” Hanlon said. “You see the inexperienced riders with the skunk mark up their back from riding without fenders. Fenders are a cheap option. ”
Safety measures
Rain can greatly increase the riskiness of bicycle riding, said Shawn Strahon, a Department of Public Safety officer. Because they are not as visible to drivers during the winter months, bicyclists must ride more defensively and dress brightly or use lights to increase visibility.
“Bicyclists need to be aware of traffic laws and obey them,” Strahon said. “Use a light when it’s dark, which is required by law.”
The rain can also have a harmful effect on riding during the day.
“Watch out for wet leaves, white lines and manhole covers,” Wallis said. “All get extremely slippery during wet weather.”
Be sure to turn and brake before or after passing these objects and watch for uneven pavement, standing water or narrowed lane widths. Bicyclists also need to remember that wet roads make braking harder and should anticipate longer stopping times.
Riding in tune
If you’re not doing basic maintenance on your bike, take it to a shop a couple of times a year, depending on how much you ride, Hanlon said.
“If you hear a squeak, you need to lube your chain,” Hanlon said. “Replace your chain frequently to prevent having to replace your whole rear cog.”
Students are also required to register their bikes through DPS. Registered bikes are much easier to find if they are stolen, Strahon said. Students who don’t ride often during the winter need to check on their bikes routinely to ensure that they are still there. Locking bikes properly is an excellent precaution, and DPS offers classes at the beginning of each term to teach bike safety.
By dressing properly for the winter months and abiding by common-sense rules regarding safety, bicycling in the winter can continue to be a pleasant method of transportation or leisure.
