Riding Out The Storm
The question is not if you ventured out today, it's what you ventured out in. Just a few years ago people would have said that you were nuts if you rode your bike out into a snowstorm. Those were the days when you were lucky to see two bikers around the city who were bold enough to brave the elements. That was not the case today. While driving down Elmwood (I was not one of the bold ones) we must have passed a dozen bikers. After I took the first photo I thought that was lucky enough. Then two more cyclists sped by. I even snapped a photo of a guy on a cruiser... is it possible that winter biking has gone from crazy to cool?
Just two years ago published a print article featuring a couple of snow-bikers. It was rare, but it was the first hint that bikes were being made to 'tough out' the snowy conditions. Combine that with some of the heavy treads being made today and the light durable winter gear... that makes for the perfect combination when it comes to toughing it out on two wheels. I'm sure that the growing number of fair weather bikers doesn't hurt either. Between the gas prices, the 'green' conscious, and the health watchers, winter biking is sure to continue to snowball in years to come.
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Comment Options
Hoss
I think Campus carries some studded tires. Lower your seat a hitch or two, chug an adult beverage, and there's no end to the fun that winter biking can provide.
With all the cyclists that I've been seeing in the City of no illusion lately, I think it's about time for Buffalo to stage a winter Alleycat race.
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viking
I think biking is great, but I also think biking in certain conditions sucks. During a blinding snow storm, on unplowed streets, negotiating cars piloted by drivers that have questionable skills isn't very prudent. No, to the implication that biking under these conditions is cool, it's still crazy, this is one practice that should be curtailed not endorsed.
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becker
The lifestyles of the poor and careless! It sure sucks to be without a car in the winter, especially when the buses aren't running on schedule.
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sbrof
Winter without a car is really not bad. If people walked more than the 10 feet to their car door outside most of them would realize that your body does a pretty good job at warming up.
If I walk more than 5 blocks I start to break a sweat. Then again if people actually thought about function more than style then maybe (aka those people who think it is too faux pas to button up their jacket in the winter.) people would actually enjoy the winter more.
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rpmcmurphy
The benefits to the individual and the earth far outweigh the risk. With the right lights and gear biking in the winter is truly an empowering exercise. Goggles of some kind are a must in a snow/rain storm.
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pgf1948
Newell, you really ought to get out of your car more often. Almost every thing you post here mentions, "while driving ... " Your experience of Buffalo-- indeed, of any city, might be different if you'd just get off your can and WALK.
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viking
While driving thru the city, I witnessed a car sliding sideward trying avoid a biker who hit deep snow and dumped. Neither the biker or the driver of the car had bad intentions, but both narrowly missed being a part of a bad (shit happens) experience. No amount of preparation short of not being in that circumstance would have mitigated that event. The horseshoe up both the bikers and car pilots rectum saved the day, not to mention the cars almost hit by the siding vehicle. Goggles and lights, I don't think so.
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knock_knock
I cycle in the winter by choice. It takes my car 4 miles to warm up anyways. I was out yesterday. www.flickr.com/photos/the_story_of_my_life/2114388790/?addedcomment=1#comment72157603478852783
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pegger
Gee, I used to deliver The Buffalo Evening News by bike most winter days (plows permitting).
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rpmcmurphy
Sorry I should have mentioned my metal studded tires as well. They let me hit deep snow no problem. I can't understand how driving a several ton killing machine in a snow storm is less dangerous than riding a bicycle.
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knock_knock
If anyone wants to start winter biking and worried about getting your fancy Bianchi dirty. You can always garbage pick one or stop over to Buffalo Blue Bicycle on Thursday nights after 7:30 pm. There at the corner of Colvin & Linden @ Old Precinct 17. For a modest $15 - $20 donation to Buffalo Blue Bicycle they will give you a prime winter bike. So theirs no excuse not keep on cycling .
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icecreamsub
i don't even like biking in the wind... let alone the snow and wind.....this looks as dangerous as it probably is.
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exnihilo
I grew up in West Falls. There wasn’t a winter that went by that I didn’t bike around to my friend’s house or just for the hell of it. Sure there may be more traffic in the city, but out in the boonies it’s moving at a higher rate of speed (particularly the plows). I am still here to talk about it. I think the excuse not to ride in the winter because it is “dangerous” is precisely that – an excuse.
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RisingDamp666
See, someone in Buffalo can invent the "Snowbike" and do it before I get off my lazy ass and make all those hundreds of dollars before they do.
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ChocolateShake
Yeh.. what we need is more idiots on bikes on major roads during winter storms - nice how this stupid behavior is encouraged. This is Darwin's theory in action. Get on the bike and take yoruself out of the gene pool. I witnessed the same fools on bikes casue an accident on Elmwood/Amherst. This is all cute until someone gets killed or seriously hurt.
If you want to ride your bike, you should be required to follow the same rules of traffic.
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knock_knock
HO NO, there’s an inch of snow on the ground. I'll have to get the H3 out and save the streets from those reckless irresponsible cyclists.
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Charger
Cyclists are required to follow the same rules of traffic. No part of that however requires that we not ride our bikes when there's snow on the road if we can keep control of our vehicles. Especially under these conditions I'll wager that both the proportion and actual number of drivers who are a danger to themselves and others is far higher than it is for cyclists.
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knock_knock
'Don't hide inside; Go for a ride' City of Toronto winter cycling tips. Good web site on winter cycling from a world not so faraway. http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikewinter/index.htm
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knock_knock
Also, http://bikewinter.org/ Chicago winter biking website
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sbrof
It is funny how there are probably dozens of car accidents every day in the winter time. some of them fatal.. but yet there are two incidents of people on bikes falling and people get all up and arms about getting these "idiots" off the road. Well maybe we should get cars off the roads in the winter time. Those are much more life threatening than a 20lb bike. It isn't the bikers fault the car drivers are too irresponsible or in a rush to drive the speed limit, not tailgate or cross the yellow lines to go around people. They cause their own problems because most people no matter how nice they are become mean and impatient behind the wheel.
Sorry but that isn't the bikers fault.
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rpmcmurphy
Thank you sbrof.
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IamMe
Word around the campfire is. Buffalo Blue Bicycle is going to open up on Tuesday nights early next year. Its going to be a Fix Your own Bike Night.
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IamMe
Knock, Those are great websites. Its amazing other cities actually promote winter cycling.
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