As the first snow blankets Ottawa, a dedicated group of residents is preparing their preferred mode of transportation for the winter months—not their cars, but their bicycles.
Winter Tires for Bicycles
Dave Robertson, like many Ottawa drivers, thinks about winter tire installation when snow arrives. However, Robertson's concern involves studded winter tires for his bicycle, which he uses for commuting and grocery shopping. "People who drive cars have similar conversations: When do I push that button and get the winter tires on?" said Robertson, who also operates the bike rental company Let's Go Cargo!
Robertson represents a growing number of Ottawans choosing to cycle through winter, adapting their routes to use the city's 60-kilometre network of winter-maintained cycling infrastructure.
Ottawa's Winter Cycling Network
The city's winter network includes multi-use pathways and on-street bike lanes, primarily concentrated in the downtown core and surrounding areas. According to the City of Ottawa's website, these routes receive the same maintenance priority as sidewalks and vehicle lanes.
This commitment means plowing begins after 2.5 to 5 centimetres of snow accumulation, with snow removal scheduled when snowbanks encroach on 50 percent of the bike lane width.
For Robertson and fellow winter cyclists, the multi-use pathways often provide the most reliable transportation option during snowy months. He notes that plows are frequently "out there right away" following snowfall.
Experienced Cyclists Approve
Kathleen Turnock, who has cycled through winters for 20 years and recently moved from Edmonton, gave Ottawa's path maintenance an "absolute thumbs-up" after experiencing the season's first snowfall.
"(Bike route maintenance) makes such a bigger difference to cyclists than it does for traffic," Turnock observed. "With winter tires you can (ride on) ice no problem on your bike, but snow is a whole other issue."
While winter cyclists enjoy maintaining outdoor activity in their daily routines and reducing their carbon footprint, this transportation choice comes with challenges. For most riders, finding reliable winter-maintained routes often involves trial and error throughout the season.
