How to Ride Your Tricycle Safely in Winter
As autumn turns to winter, the days get shorter, and the temperatures drop. But at Jorvik, we see this as the perfect time to wrap up warm, head outdoors, and enjoy the simple pleasure of riding your tricycle through crisp air, with leaves crunching under your tyres and the sun low in the sky.
Of course, while this time of year brings magical moments, it also presents new challenges. Icy paths, slippery leaves, and darker evenings can all affect your ride. In this guide, we’ve pulled together our top tips for preparing your tricycle for winter and staying safe while enjoying your adventures.
Packing for a Winter Ride
Whether you’re commuting or exploring a scenic trail in a national park, being prepared makes all the difference. From sudden downpours to unexpected stops, a little preparation will help keep you comfortable and confident whatever the weather brings.
Waterproof clothing
As we all know, British weather can be unpredictable - at any time of year! Getting caught in rain, sleet or snow without waterproofs is a quick route to a chilly ride home. Pack a high-quality waterproof coat (and ideally trousers too) to stay warm and dry.
Layers
Riding your tricycle keeps you active and warm, but if you stop for a break, run into a technical issue or have a chilly headwind to deal with, the cold can creep in quickly. Layer up with a fleece and/or thermal base layer to keep comfortable, whatever the conditions.
Lights
Even though it happens every year – it can be easy to get caught by surprise when the sun sets early. Making sure you’ve got adequate lighting on your tricycle, including reflectors and, ideally, indicators, is essential for keeping safe on the road.
High-vis clothing
Just as lights are important for keeping your tricycle illuminated, a high vis jacket or vest is a great extra precaution to take to ensure that drivers and other cyclists can always see you when you’re out on your tricycle. Failing that, brightly coloured or reflective clothing is always a good option.
Helmet
Whatever the time of year – a helmet is a must. Helmets can be a real lifesaver and there’s really no way to underestimate their importance when you’re out on your trike. They’re also a great place to affix an extra light, we stock the Oxford Kali Helmet, which comes with an LED rear light fitted as standard.
Waterproof bag
A waterproof cargo bag is a great addition to your tricycle. After all, there’s no point packing all that extra gear then it getting soaked in a downpour. A waterproof cargo bag is designed to fit perfectly in the cargo basket of your electric tricycle and makes for the perfect place to keep everything safe – including valuable electronics like your phone.
Tips for Riding Safely
Just like driving a car in the winter, there are certain good habits that you can get into when you’re in the saddle during colder months.
Slow down
Surfaces can often become a little slicker and unsteady during the autumn and winter months – whether that’s wet leaves on the ground or ice and snow. Slowing down and taking care on these surfaces means you’re more likely to remain in full control if you do hit one of these patches of ground.
Anticipate longer braking
Again, just like we’re advised to think about longer braking distances in a car in wet and cold weather, the same applies to riding your tricycle. Anticipate when you may need to stop and start braking earlier to ensure a nice, steady stop and avoid the risk of skidding or colliding with objects.
Be aware
Conditions can change quickly, other vehicles and road or path users can seemingly appear out of nowhere and daylight can slip away in what feels like seconds. Make sure you’re always keeping aware of what’s going on around you and are prepared for any unforeseen challenges that you need to adapt to.
Increase your visibility
Reflective materials on clothing increase the visibility of cyclists in low-light conditions. These materials are commonly used on vests, knee and ankle bands, and gloves. Knee and ankle bands work particularly well since these areas are constantly moving and in line of drivers' sight. Gloves are also useful as they assist in making cyclists' hand gestures visible, such as when indicating a turn.
Autumn and winter offer some of the most beautiful cycling days of the year. With a few simple precautions, you can keep exploring safely and enjoy every moment on three wheels.
If you’re getting ready for the colder months, visit our accessories page to make sure your tricycle is kitted out for the season. Or, pop into one of our showrooms, where our friendly team will be happy to help you find everything you need for your next adventure.