As far as individual actions go, ditching the car is the second most impactful thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Many people say they want to do it, but then don’t. This series will provide guidance and answer questions so that those who want to do meaningful work in healing the planet can begin living their values through choosing to be car-free or car-lite.
Besides begging everyone to (1) learn how to actually drive on snow and ice if they are going to drive, and (2) clear their sidewalks and curb ramps promptly following snow storms, there are some tips that might help those opting out of the private motor vehicle when winter shows up.
The first thing you can do to make winter commuting/mobility more enjoyable is to be an advocate. Push for barrier-protected bike lanes, and for these to be promptly cleared of snow in winter (and leaves in autumn, and cars all year long). Push for sidewalks, and for sidewalk maintenance year-round. No compromise. No “we should be patient and ask nicely.” If pedestrians and cyclists were treated as equals to those using private vehicles, we would see this happen. Our trips, our errands, our need to get to work would be treated with as much care as that of those inside the boxes. Want to feel like a second- or third-class citizen? Walk to work after a snow storm. Notice how the streets are cleared for motor vehicles, while pedestrians are expected to climb over snow mounds. Listen to people regard your safety as the cherry on a sundae instead of as a non-negotiable. Perhaps ask nicely at first, but be prepared to badger, to publicly embarrass those in power, to make a very loud stink about something that should happen automatically.
Why the entitlement? Because northern cities elsewhere have this more or less figured out. We’re the idiots here.
Bicycle modal share (unnecessarily fancy phrase meaning “what percentage of the population travels using this kind of transportation”) in Oulo, Finland is estimated at 12% . . . in the winter. I can’t even bring myself to type out what the bicycle mode share is in Connecticut. And by the way, there is snow on the ground in Oulo for nearly half the year. There, the bike lanes get plowed first.
We don’t need to look as far as Europe to see what’s possible. Places like Boston are using practical equipment for sweeping and plowing bicycle paths, making it safer for people to ride year-round.
Until we get equitable spending and policy, and enforcement of those policies, what we have to contend with is snow moved into spaces where people ride bicycles, and we’re left with property owners not removing snow from where people commute on foot or try to board the bus. Do not get me started on how those using wheelchairs and other mobility devices are actively discriminated against at a heightened level when there is snow and ice.
So, what else helps to improve a snowy or icy commute?
CLOTHING
We’ve mostly covered the clothing aspect before, but put on layers (that can be stripped off later when wet). A reader tip is to visit a store that caters to the building trades to find more affordable options than what is at the bougie outdoors stores. Hardware and tool stores, lumber yards, and the like will have durable clothing meant for people who are going to be working outdoors in winter. Or try your luck at a used clothing store.
As much as I hate hi-vis, I can see the argument for wearing it during an active weather event when there are snow plows out and about. Ideally, you’d be inside, peacefully sipping coquito, but not everyone chooses their work schedule and sometimes that means commuting when you’d rather not.
FOOTWEAR
You can’t wear your Converse and expect to be comfortable when the snow melts through. You’re in New England. You don’t get to wear cute shoes for half the year. Get into it or move!
Find something that has thick soles, a thick rest of the boot (whatever that part is called), at least covers the ankles, and has some kind of grip. There are sprays you can buy to waterproof your shoes if you feel like it. I know this seems basic, but I see people bundle their kids up for school, and then they put on ridiculous loafers and a thin jacket to go to work.
Make sure you can comfortably wear a pair of thick socks with these shoes — don’t be trying them on with those fake pantyhose things they give you at the store.
CRAMPONS
Crampons, on the other hand. Crampons are robust. They’re like tampons, but for your feet. They offer protection while being a little stabby.
These (crampons) are grips you attach to your shoes, and they come in light to heavy floe varieties. Really. Unless you are aiming to walk on a glacier, a standard, relatively inexpensive pair of stabilizers from a place like L.L. Bean or R.E.I. will help to prevent wipe-outs during those icky days when sidewalks are glare ice due to property owners not properly removing snow and/or failing to add salt/sand to a glaze of ice. If you’re clumsy, easily breakable, or feeling anxious about falling, it’s worth the money. (I’m calling them all crampons, but Yak Trax are really what you’re after. That’s a cool name too, but it doesn’t immediately conjure up pain and blood in the same way as “crampons” does.)
Crampons become slippery when worn indoors, unless the floor is carpeted, in which case you fuse to the rug — so plan to remove the grips or your boots entirely, or walk carefully.
Bonus: nobody fucks with you when you’ve weaponized your feet.
STUDS
If you’re biking, studded tires help provide traction. These are available for purchase at Bici Co. in Hartford, so there’s no need for you to donate to some billionaire’s vanity space travel fund.
FAT TIRES
You don’t need a fat bike, but wouldn’t that be fun.
MAINTENANCE
Regularly wipe the salt/grime/snow/ice off of whatever is covered in it, or, do as I suggest and not as I do.
MOVEMENT
When riding, avoid braking on ice. It can’t hurt to practice wiping out in a safer environment (i.e. a place without moving vehicles) so you know how to correct if starting to slide.
Be prepared to put your foot down, literally. One night I went out on the town wearing boots with spike heels. While at the event it snowed and iced, hard. Some drunk guy (because it’s always some drunk guy who has opinions) was annoying me with the standard “how are you going to ride with those shoes” trash, ignoring that I managed to get there in them just fine. The ride home was slippery, and more than once I prevented a spin out by jamming the heel of my left boot into the icy surface for stability.
When walking on icy surfaces, the best advice I can give is to not get too cocky because the second you feel like it’s all good, that’s when you’re gonna eat shit. This is no time for strutting. Go slow and take small steps. Yes, this is maddening for those of us who are fast walkers. If you can’t help yourself, save it for places where there’s several feet of fluffy snow to fall into and where nobody is likely to drive over you with their car.
Falling, if you’re graceless and fragile, can be serious. . . but what to be more mindful of is that the drivers who are normally challenged when it comes to safely stopping and waiting struggle all the more when there is snow and ice. I assume that every driver is going to hit the brakes hard (or glide on through) so I wait more before moving in front of anyway. It’s garbage that not all road users show respect toward others on the street.
For those taking the bus, know that property owners routinely fail to clear snow and ice from stops. Most bus drivers seem to try to find a spot where passengers can safely load, though some will not, and while the front door might be lined up with a cleared space, the same is often not true for the back door. It’s worth following CTtransit on Twitter or Facebook to get updates when buses are delayed or canceled because of bad weather. It seems like most buses continue to run except during a blizzard, but a few routes have frequent issues, even during less severe snow events, because of the terrain.
For readers who have a few seasons of all-weather walking, bus riding, or cycling experience: what else would you advise beginners to do when it gets snowy?
Jim Head
As both runner and bike commuter, I live by the motto – always carry a bus pass. Sometimes the rain comes early, or there are tornado warnings, or the snow is heavier than predicted, or I’ll get a flat tire. Having the bus pass gives me confidence if I ever have issues – especially in bad weather. 10-ride passes expire in 5- 10 years so work well if not a frequent bus-rider.
Shameless plug for e-bikes – almost all e-bikes are fat tire bikes. My cargo bike has 3” wide tires – not studded nor mountain bike tires but the width alone makes slipping less of an issue. The trade-off is reduced efficiency, which is a non-issue when the battery contains the power of 3 Lance Armstrongs. Also, I got a “cheap” e-bike, in the range of $1000- $2000. That means it’s heavy, which again is a positive in slush and snow. Third, e-bikes often offer step-thru or low seating. This allows for Flintstone’ing – using feet for braking and navigating narrow passes. Finally, e-bikes are expensive – I got one with a removable battery and remove it for any long-term parking I do (over 30 minutes). The battery carries 1/3rd the value of the bike and also makes the bike a lot less desirable & harder to make a fast get-away with.
In Hartford, many garages ($20/ day car parking garages you’d never consider paying monthly for) have free available bike racks. Parking in a covered area is ideal, especially with an e-bike. I do ride in light rain and snow, but try not to leave the bike out in the open in rain – water’s bad for the chain and could ultimately seep into the wiring or electronic display.
Richard
Kerri
This series is why many of us love you so. Thanks again.
“Perhaps ask nicely at first, but be prepared to badger, to publicly embarrass those in power, to make a very loud stink about something that should happen automatically.” ( I love the “something that should happen automatically, so true in so many cases)
When we lived in Hartford we use to dread winter coming. As a walker or a person who takes the bus it was a fight every time it snowed just to get the sidewalks shoveled and the bus stops cleared out. Did anyone ever try to upright a transportation chair and a person who as fallen out into a snowbank? What do folks think when they see a mother with young children and a stroller, a senior or a person in a transportation chair waiting for the bus in the street because the stop is not cleared out. Folks can clear their sidewalks but if they do not (hardly anyone does) clear the curb cut and keep it cleared forget it. Over the years I have called up, been nice and then demanded. I have slipped and fallen and thank goodness I didn’t get hurt but then again, I would be sitting pretty somewhere nice as I would have sued their self-centers butts off.
The big offenders downtown are, The Old State House, 750 Main, Burger King corner of Asylum and Main, Center Church, the Gold Building, and others. (that is just the Main Street area) Naming curb cuts offenders, forget it this comment would be far too long. Downtown bus stops are a major transfer point for all of us in the city. “I cleared it once” is not acceptable. You got the money, get to work!
Once I was told by an official in the city of Hartford that “the city is responsible for the street, the owners of property the sidewalk and the curb is no man’s land.” I kid you not. Oh, how quickly this citizen can become angry. Nice is nice once but not twice. I was told by an official at city hall to just stay home. I asked them to pay for the missed day of work. She told me she didn’t like me. I just said back Oh boo hoo.
Other times I was told it is the job of the police. Call them and they will go to the property owner and tell them to clean up their act. Give that a big ha ha. Man, I am getting red angry and ready to explode just thinking about winter coming. If you join this fight remember that the city will try to wear you down so you will give up. That is why the once but not twice fight is important. Put them on notice.
Here is a little note to so many: Its too bad that most liberals and others who would take action still drive their cars (oh goodness I hear the moans and groans over climate change meanwhile they gas up) and do not know the misery that folks go through when winter comes. Do they even care? It’s about the least of these baby or if not then liberals and others are not worth their words. The least of these, what a wonderful place to start your politicks.
How about this. Winter’s coming, snow and ice, let’s all gather at the offenders property, bring the camera woman, bring the babies in their strollers, bring the seniors with their canes, try to be mountain goats climbing over the snowbanks of no man’s land, fall, scream, wait in the street for the bus, ask others who are waiting to join you, keep filming, add commentary, make a lot of noise, visit the building owner, complain loudly, let the police come, tell them their job, get it in writing from city hall, watch while they do or don’t it, call the news media, point out the offenders. Grandma tumbles down the snowbank trying to board the bus, now how would that look on the evening news. Remember if you call the city and complain and nothing is done then the city is not doing their job and anyone who lives off of taxpayers money is to blame and must be called out. All in the name of art that pushes all in the name of cut the crap and do something. All in the name of the least of these and in the service for the people.
Jennifer S.
I second Jim’s comment about carrying a bus pass. And if you’re riding in the snow, I recommend adding some sort of protective eyewear (I have cycling glasses with clear lenses). Those snowflakes can hurt when they hit your eyes, and riding with your eyes closed is inadvisable.