Tips for cycling, scooting in cold weather – UKNow

Graphic by Callie Brown.

LEXINGTON, KY (Jan. 23 2023) — Cold weather doesn’t mean you have to give up on cycling and scooting! But it does mean that you may have to make some modifications that allow you to continue getting around on two wheels.

Below are some tips for your cold weather commute:

Stay informed about changing weather conditions. Sign up for UK Alert for up-to-date information on campus closures and delays and allow extra time for your commute on snowy and icy days.
Remember that visibility is even more important during the winter, as drivers may not expect to encounter cyclists and scooter riders in cold weather. Wear bright, reflective outer layers and use front and rear lights or attach safety lights to your backpack.
Remember that it takes longer to reach your destination when traveling in less than ideal conditions. It takes longer to stop if roads or sidewalks are slick, or if your brakes are wet.
Take time to maintain your equipment! Road salt can damage chains and frames. Keep a brush handy to clean off snow and slush.
Bundle up! Choose your layers wisely.
Ride on clear pavement when it’s available. Cyclists shouldn’t be afraid to take the lane if there’s snow in the bike lanes.
Winterize your bike. Wide, knobby tires provide better traction in snow than skinnier bike tires.

Not every day can be a cycling or scooting day for everyone. Research your transportation options for days when a bike or scooter isn’t the best choice for you. Depending upon your schedule and commute distance, campus buses and Lextran routes could be great alternatives. UK students and staff can ride Lextran buses citywide for free, simply by showing their Wildcard ID.

UK Transportation Services also offers free commute planning assistance if you need help planning your route.

Cyclists should also mark their calendars for our annual Winter Bike to Campus Day, scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Wildcat Alumni Plaza. More details about the event are available here: Wildcat Wheels Facebook Page.

Keep up to date on all biking and scooting information by following UK Transportation Services on Twitter @UKParking, liking our Wildcat Wheels Facebook Page, and signing up for our Bike E-News.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $501 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.