While the temperatures and road conditions during the winter can pose challenges for commuting, there are ways to make your ride safer and easier. Discover winter commuting tips from Commute PA to help you create a smart winter weather commute plan.
Smarter Commutes for Winter
At Commute PA, we promote smarter options for commuting regularly. This includes a wide range of transportation options, including biking, walking, carpooling, vanpooling, transit and even telecommuting.
In the winter, when road conditions get tougher and mobility becomes extra challenging, smart commuting provides alternatives. Benefits of exploring these options include:
- Enhanced safety: Carpooling and vanpooling can be safer than driving alone. They reduce the number of cars on the road, leading to less congestion on icy roads.
- Cost savings: Options such as carpooling and telecommuting can reduce fuel consumption during the winter months.
- Health and well-being: Active transportation, like biking and walking, keeps you moving, while telecommuting lessens your exposure to weather-related illnesses, like cold and flu.
Top Commuting Tips for Biking in Winter Weather
Commuting in the winter is manageable if you know how and what to prepare. Refer to Commute PA’s winter bike commuting tips and driving suggestions.
1. Dress Appropriately
Wear multiple layers of clothing to stay warm and comfortable during your commute. If you’re concerned about your hands and feet, we recommend investing in some windproof gloves and waterproof boots! You can also increase your visibility with reflective clothing or flashing lights, especially if you have to travel in the dark when the days are shorter.
2. Plan Your Routes Ahead of Time
Check weather reports for snow-prone areas and potential route hazards. Exploring well-lit areas and prioritizing alternative routes with lighter traffic can also help you commute more safely in the winter.
3. Winterize Your Gear
If you’re planning on biking, equip your bicycle with front and rear lighting. Clean your bike to remove snow and dirt, then wax the frame and lubricate moving parts. Ensure your tires have the right pressure, both for bikes and vehicles. It’s important to keep the fuel tank at least half-full and antifreeze at the correct levels.
4. Take Public Transportation or Smarter Commute Options
Consider taking public transportation halfway to your destination. Many buses and trains have bike racks or storage spaces, or park your bike in a designated rack. Instead of biking, you can also opt to join carpooling and vanpooling groups along your route to lessen your exposure to the cold and avoid dangerous segments of your commute.
Consult Commute PA for Safe Winter Commuting
We promote initiatives geared toward reducing single-occupancy vehicle travel, including smart and active transportation. Contact us to learn more about our Emergency Ride Home program or join our rewards programs to incentivize your daily commute.
