Cycling in the snow: Standard bicycles cope remarkably well in the white stuff

It's easy to assume cycling must be the worst possible option in snow, but a bog-standard bicycle can perform well when other modes of transport become paralysed. It's all about being sensible. When it comes to winter riding, while ice can prove tricky, a light covering of snow shouldn't trouble most cyclists.

If you shift yourself towards the back of the saddle so there's more weight over the rear wheel, favour the back brake (gently) and run a slightly lower tyre pressure, your bike should cope well.

Here in the UK we usually escape heavy snow conditions, but elsewhere cyclists are offered accessories and even specialised bikes built solely for the white stuff.

2-wheel drive

Japanese bicycle maker Tretta developed a range of two-wheel-drive models. Their MTB achieves 2WD courtesy of a very long chain stretching from the rear hub to the front wheel via a succession of small cogs. There might be advantages in having both wheels driven, but we'd worry about the additional weight and complexity.

{{cta-cycling}}

Caterpillar tracks

Canada is a country that knows a thing or two about serious snow conditions. No surprise then that it's the birthplace of the world's first retro-fit bicycle caterpillar track system. The design looks so impressive we fitted one to a Specialized Rockhopper and tested it at the snow dome in Milton Keynes. As you'll see from the video below, it takes some getting used to.

{{cta-cycling}}

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.