Winter biking in Calgary: Why some cyclists say it's worth it

A light jacket, a pair of earmuffs and some gloves are all Duncan Findlay needs before hopping on his bike at the crack of dawn in20 C weather.

The Calgary geoscientisthas been riding his bike to workfor the past five years and isn't bothered by the cold.

"As long as I've got my extremities covered and my ears aren't flapping in the wind, I feel fine," he said. "I bike to work in 30 and I don't know it's 30 until I get there."

Helikes ridingbecause it keeps him fitand is more enjoyable than driving, while also saving him money.

He said his wife feels the same way, but she draws the line once winter arrives.

And apparently, so do many Calgarians.

Various measures have shown cycling is on the risein general,but alongseveral stretches of the downtown cycle track networkin particular, the numbers are down so far this year compared to last year, when the winter wasmilder.

Between Jan. 1 and March 7, there were 21,502 bikes recorded by the automated counter along Fifth Street S.W. at the CP Rail underpass. That's down 32 per cent from 2016.

It's a similar story along the 12th Avenue cycle track, where counts near the intersection of Eighth Street S.W. are down 33 per cent to 11,413.

The drop-off is less steep along the Eighth Avenue cycle track, where counts near Third Street S.W. are down five per cent to 20,330.

KevinSchlauch, who rides year-round, believes weather and the economic downturn are behind the declines.

"It has been a colder winter and everybody might have a different tolerance for what their drop-off level is for how cold they'll bike in, but it is something you get used to," he said.

"And also, unfortunately, there's probably just less people working downtown these days."

Schlauch figures he and his wife have saved $15,000 over the past four years by relying more heavily on riding than driving.

Last year, they wententirelycar-free.

He doesn't feel as impervious to the cold as Findlayquite the opposite in factso winter riding requires a little more preparationfor him.

"It runs in my family that we have very poor circulation in our hands and feet," Schlauch said.

"So that's why I've got really warm boots on. I've got electric glovesunderneath my winter gloves. And once I've got all that set ... I can handle any cold weather."

Findlay recognizes winter cycling isn't for everyone, but believes more people might like it if they gave it a try.

He said the biggest thing stopping many people who ride in other seasons isn't a lack of gear or experience, but a mental barrier.

"There's a perception that it's deeply unpleasant, that it's hard, that you're going to be somehow sweaty and freezing by the timeyou get to work, that it's dangerous," he said.

"And, well, in my experience that's not true."

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