We’re back after the festive break — and winter has well and truly arrived. Ice, cold mornings and sketchy road conditions can catch any of us riders out.

Ideally, if the roads are icy or snow-covered, leave the bike at home. But we get it — work, college and life don’t always allow that. So, if you are riding through winter, here’s how to stack the odds in your favour.

 

1. Stay warm. Stay dry. Stay switched on.

Cold and wet rides don’t just feel miserable — they mess with our concentration.

Layer up: thin layers under our jacket and trousers work better than one bulky layer. A balaclava or thin skull cap inside the helmet helps keep heat in, and decent winter gloves (or gauntlets with liners) are a must.

Waterproof kit matters more than style right now. Jeans, trainers and soaked clothing will chill you fast — and once you’re cold, reaction times drop.

Warm, dry riders react quicker. Simple.

 

2. Tyres → grip → staying upright

Our tyres are the only thing connecting us to the road — and in cold or icy conditions, that really counts.

Check pressures regularly, look for cuts or damage, and make sure you’ve got enough tread. Even small issues can make a big difference when grip is limited.

If we look after our tyres, they’ll look after us.

 

3. Keep everything smooth

Winter riding is all about control, not speed.

Be smooth on the throttle, smooth on the brakes and gentle through corners. Sudden movements that might be fine in summer can catch riders out fast on cold, damp or icy roads.

Give yourself extra time so there’s no pressure to rush. Getting there a few minutes later beats not getting there at all.

 

4. Give yourself space

More space = more options.

Leave bigger gaps, brake earlier, and approach junctions and corners with extra care. Slippery roads mean less margin for error, so best avoid sudden braking or sharp manoeuvres wherever possible.

Enter corners more steadily, with the brakes covered, ready to smoothly open the throttle as we look to exit.

Let’s give ourselves – and everyone around us – a little bit more time to handle the ice and snow.

 

5. Be seen

Winter means darker mornings, darker evenings and lower visibility — exactly when drivers are least likely to spot riders.

Wearing high-contrast and fluorescent kit makes a real difference, especially in dull, grey conditions; catching headlights when it matters most.

Keep your daytime running lights on at all times. This helps drivers register us sooner and judge our speed and distance better.

If they see us earlier, they give us more space — and that gives us more time to react.

 

PS Winter brings surprises — freezing fog, shaded ice patches, and cold spots under bridges or in dips. We need to stay alert and vigilant.

Happy winter riding!