Winter Biking

When the snow came down in abundance earlier this month I was filled with the excitement of a child knowing that I would not have to dig out a car and play a game of musical chairs trying to park it half-way across the neighbourhood; What’s more, I had the pleasure instead of taking out my winter bike, sprucing it up with a bit of TLC and taking on the elements head-on with a single gear and studded tires.

For me, the pleasure of triumphing over the elements with what E.M. Schumaker referred to as appropriate technology is considerable. So I figured winter biking would be an excellent subject for this blog. Perhaps I could share a few insights and observations on the subject that may inspire others to join in on this liberating, self-empowering activity. Or, at least I hope to convince some of you that we who bike in the snow are not completely nuts (though I suppose I should not speak for everyone).

I’d like to cover some of the technical challenges, and a sort of check-list of necessary accessories. In addition a cost/benefit analysis could prove to be quite interesting: biking as compared to driving.

The idea of biking through Mother Nature’s ill will of a blizzard is really only for the hard-core cyclist equipped with a specialised bike and the experience to keep oneself safe amidst the traffic. On the other end of the winter-cycling spectrum are those who just plough ahead once the storm and the snow-removal crews have passed, with a business-as-usual approach, on the same bike they were riding before the leaves started to fall. They do this with some success, though in my opinion, at considerable risk of peril. I know, because this is an approach I tried years ago, and after two bad spills, abandoned. More recently, I discovered the wonders of studded tires, which truly do take the risk of sudden loss of control (on say, black ice) out of the equation. This is not to say you need not take extra care when biking in the cold, the snow, and the ice, even with winter tires.

You must.

You must also be prepared to get your hands dirty from time to time to keep your bike in good working order. The moisture and salt of winter streets can really take their toll on all moving parts from cables to bearings and, of course, the chain. A chain should never squeak, and so may need a dose of lubricant much more frequently than people are accustomed to, judging by the number of times I hear what I like to call “sparrow powered bikes” around town. All bikes require chains, but one way of reducing the amount of maintenance on moving parts is to go with a fixed gear . This way you eliminate two derailers, and their cables. It can also eliminate brakes (and more cables) if you have the proper skills to rely on your legs to stop. On the other hand one good front brake, especially a disc brake, can be very reliable in wet conditions. Again, you need to have the experience to go this route, which should best start with a thorough discussion with a qualified bike expert at your local bike shop or co-op. (http://www.bikegarage.org/ & http://theflat.wordpress.com/ )

Another must is good outer wear. Think wind chill, and think slush. And by all means think about good waterproof boots, or you’ll want to throw in the towel after one day. Some folks even go with a skier’s helmet and goggles, which is probably awesome, especially on the colder days.

Dressing warm is definitely a challenge, given that over-heating in very cold weather is always a possibility when enough exertion is required to get to where you’re going. Layers and a backpack are recommended so that you can bundle up for the downhill ride (little exertion) and then carry the extra sweater on the way back when you have to ride up-hill.

All in all, it is fairly bulky and rather messy, so you might want to have a change of clothes for where you’re going (I keep shoes and pants at work). Sometimes this is not possible, which may be the biggest drawback to winter riding. I often opt for the metro and lighter boots when I’m going “out.”

Once you are equipped for winter riding, you’ll be ready to conquer compacted snow, chunks of ice crystals and slush-covered ice, even while going up-hill. You will experience the feeling of the studs in your tires preventing you from skidding and falling down. What’s more, even though biking in the snow may be more work that “regular” biking it is most certainly faster and easier than walking on the slushy sidewalks. And, as always with active transportation, you’re getting your heart pumping and your muscles toned just getting to where you need to go.

By now you may well be tempted to give it a try, so you’d probably like to know how much it will cost you to get started. I recommend having a second bike for winter, so my answer is that the sky’s the limit. But fortunately with bikes, an excellent one can actually cost only a fraction of the cost of a car. Even for less than a thousand dollars at a reputable dealership, you can be entirely set to go, complete with all accessories.

Too rich for your liking? I tend to agree. On the cheap, you can tune up a beater at one of Montreal’s bike repair co-ops on a shoestring budget – but be prepared to spring for a new chain, and new cables and brake-pads (about $40 to $50). And then there’s expense of the winter tires. For the really thrifty ones out there, there are methods by which to convert a regular tire into a studded tire using screws and other basic hardware/supplies. Otherwise a pair of studded tires can cost you anywhere from $100 to $250. (But it truly is worth it!).

Next week I’ll continue on the subject of winter biking by considering where biking fits in the bigger picture of human ecology – that is, the ecosystem of the industrial/civilised world

Until then, if this inspires you to get out there and brave the elements on two wheels, Happy Riding, Happy New Year, and ride safe!

The War on the Car

As I watched Rob Ford being sworn-in as mayor of Toronto last week I was reminded of just how unfortunate this turn of events is when he uttered his victory slogan: “The war on the car ends here.” As his supporters cheered I think I must have heard dear ol’ Jane Jacobs doing summersaults in her grave. Dark Age Ahead indeed for her adopted city.

Funny his choice of the one word: “war” – which conjures up images of destruction and death. It seems to me that the historic record shows clearly that it’s the car itself that has left a trail of destruction and, literally death in its path. But stats on casualties aside, let’s start to imagine just how “victimised” the car driver could actually feel, even if the statement is more of a manipulative trope and a ruse than anything else.

I suppose the argument suggests that this war is waged on many fronts, starting with gas prices, tolls and taxes, and rising insurance costs. What’s more, the auto industry has been faced with major financial losses putting its very viability into question. The official response of course has embraced anew the status quo under the banner of “restructuring”, which involves plenty of lip-service on environmental stewardship and “going green” – in short the usual smoke-and-mirrors type of spin that passes for success these days. But Ontarians know of the massive job losses as well as anyone. The question is, do they really want to hold their breath as they wait for the whole thing to “recover”? In this day and age, it’s making more and more sense to “think outside the car”, so anyone still determined to hang on to the out-going mode of operating must be feeling pressure from all sides, like the whole world is against them. I suppose attacking the car by looking at its ills inflicted upon public space and the environment is one way to be scapegoated by the likes of a Rob Ford.

Here in the Plateau Mont-Royal a battle in this ongoing “war” was recently fought ostensibly over the issue of parking spaces. Traffic reduction and calming being the goal, the proposed parking plan was designed to solve particular problems and enhance business. In fact, having read the proposals, I’m baffled to this day as to what the very vocal and dare I say militant opponents to the plan objected to. And then I thought about Rob Ford’s “war”. Of course he spoke in another context, in another city, but it struck me how emotionally and ideologically charged this particular point of view is. Perhaps this is at the heart of the matter where ever car culture and its enthusiasts (whoever they may be) feel threatened: it may be political, and said to be economical, but really, it’s ideological. These people love their cars, and what cars represent to them, and they resent those of us who challenge the car, and hold it up to the emerging standards of a changing world.

So, although the parking plan in and of itself may not have been actually threatening (if you actually read it), it did garner a knee-jerk, emotional response from those who are threatened more generally by what they know Projet Montreal to represent, which is focused largely on traffic reduction and curtailment through a shift to active transport and public transit, but I digress. You can check out the party’s platform and objectives for yourself on their website. If you ask me it may well amount to real change that enjoys broad-based democratic support, but only time will tell.

The knee-jerk response is actually predictable, since it’s well documented elsewhere (Copenhagen being my favourite example) that most challenges to the status quo (especially those involving cars) are met with misconceptions, false assumptions and over-reactions. As predictable as it should be, Projet Montreal certainly failed to present their recent proposal in a way that might have nipped the objections in the bud. A lot of misconceptions about the plan were allowed to circulate, not least of which was the budgetary context in which the new arrangements were drawn-up. Where were the leaflets and adverts outlining all the good sense that Luc Ferrandez so eloquently details in his blog? Does he have a P.R. strategy for the unveiling of his next round of implementations?

It was stunning how quickly his opponents mobilised with posters that crept their way into the Mile End soon after the battle began. These opponents framed the issue with a misinterpretation of the facts, and probably fooled a lot of people along the way. But, again, it’s important to stay away from oversimplifying. And I’m certain that Ferrandez understands this. But the public does require an accessible and easily read outline of this sort of proposal early on so that the debate can start off on the right foot.

I wish I could have been the fly on the wall when Ferrandez and his opponents were ironing things out behind closed doors. My guess is that a fair bit of humble pie was served up to the detractors who were finally made to read the reasonable details outlining the purpose and the methods of the proposed changes, which should in fact to be to their benefit, as Plateau merchants.

The media has it that they were able to save face, which is good, because my guess is that in a few years time they will be backing the plan whole-heartedly, even if they don’t yet believe it themselves.