Winnipeg cyclists ready for Winter Bike to Work Day

WINNIPEG — People from cities around the world will bike out in the cold to normalize cycling on Winter Bike to Work Day Friday.

“The biggest misconception of winter cycling is that it’s cold,” said Sarah Thiessen of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association Bike Lab. “As long as you have a shell and layers that block the wind then your internal body heat will keep you really really warm.”

Thiessen cycles year-round and hopes to encourage others to bundle up and do the same.

“Having biked in Vancouver and Montreal and stuff a lot I’ve seen how good it can be and there’s so much room for improvement in Winnipeg,” said Thiessen. “I would love to create that here.”

Bike Winnipeg advocate Mark Cohoe says the key to increasing cycling in the winter is accessibly.

“It’s where we’re putting in infrastructure…. that’s where we see the big jumps in numbers,” said Cohoe.

Many drivers worry about the cyclists ability to maneuver through snow clogged streets.

“They can weave into our lane as the car and you can bump into them, so I find it dangerous for cyclists,” said driver Irv Risken.

Anyone who wants to get involved with Winter Bike to Work Day can sign up online here.

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association Bike Lab on Portage will be serving free coffee and hot chocolate to all cyclists Friday morning starting at 7:00 a.m.

There will also be a winter party ride around the city leaving from Maw’s Eatery at 8:00 p.m.