Heated bike lanes for winter cycling

Given the paltry £1 or £2 per head of population that the government spends on cycling in England, it’s hardly surprising that British cyclists suffer substandard infrastructure and road conditions, but it doesn't stop news of Dutch plans for heated cycle lanes feeling like (road) salt rubbed into the wound.

The Dutch province of Utrecht is considering installing ‘passively-warmed’ cycle lanes, a system that would use warmth stored over the summer to prevent the cycling facilities from icing over or being covered by snow in winter.

The estimated cost per kilometre of up to £30,000 means it’s unlikely the heated cycle paths will be widely implemented, but the grandeur of the idea reflects the scale of ambition in countries like Denmark and Holland where as a matter of course between £10 and £20 per head is spent on cycling.

Top tips for cycling in snow

Not for British cyclists the luxury of snow and ice-free cycle lanes this winter. Follow instead our top tips for coping with snow and ice…or add your own in the comments below

• Stay warm Keeping your head, hands and knees warm will help you stay alert and relaxed. Cyclists of old used to stuff a newspaper down their fronts to keep out the cold – if you are ever feel in need of an extra layer give it a go as it is surprisingly effective
• Get knobbled In countries where winters are hard and long, cyclists invest in metal-studded tyres, but in Britain it is more practical to go for an off-road, knobbly tyre or just settle with what you have already – as long as it is not a slick
• Play it straight Try and keep your bicycle as upright as possible during turns. If you bank into a turn in slippery conditions you will be more likely to exceed the limited grip of your tyre
• Sit back and enjoy the ride Keeping your weight as far back as possible minimises the risk of your front wheel sliding from beneath you – at the same time your rear, driving wheel enjoys more grip with a little extra weight over it
• Brake time Use your rear brake to carefully test how slippery the road is and use the front brake only in a straight line
• Put your back into it Motorcycle couriers steer partly by shifting their position in the seat. They use it to make quick turns, but steering with your hips in this way is a useful tip for cyclists in slippery conditions as it minimises abrupt movement of the handlebars
• Know your snow Fresh snow offers a surprising level of grip for cyclists, but beware of slush and areas of ice covered by only a dusting of powder.
• Make tracks If all else fails, buy a kit that replaces your bicycle's rear wheel with a caterpillar track designed for use on snow and its front wheel with a ski blade

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