The Lime Winter Ride Guide
How to ride in the cold—and feel good doing it.
It can be tempting to stay in when the temps drop. But getting out and riding in the fresh air is a great way to boost your serotonin when daylight is in limited supply. Get moving on a Lime—and try to peel your friends off their couches for a group ride while you’re at it.
A few perks of riding in Winter:
Bike lanes are wide open.
You can laugh in the face of surge pricing.
Your Winter outfits get more exposure.
It’s basically exercise.
Convinced? If you’re in, here are a few tips for your best ride in the cold.
Winter Trip Tips
Wear layers. Dress warm and layer up so you can adjust as the conditions change. Your best bet is to start with a base layer that has moisture-wicking technology, and finish with an outer layer that’s wind-proof. Everything in between is up to you, and what you’re comfortable in.
Dress for your ride. Bikes and scooters come with different style considerations. A short coat works best on a bike, so you don’t get caught up in the wheels. But if you’re grabbing a scooter, it’s the perfect time to wear a longer coat to keep those legs warm. Think of all the outfits you can show off!
Pick the right shoes. A.k.a. leave the heels at home, if you can. It’s likely that you’ll run into wet or icy surfaces, so make sure to wear a pair of shoes with grippy soles. A good boot or sneaker works wonders in slippery conditions.
Gloves are a must. Yes, gloves deserve their own tip. Do you know how hard it is to operate a moving vehicle with frozen hands? Bring gloves, no matter what the forecast for the day is. You won’t regret it.
Protect your head. We (strongly) recommend a helmet no matter the season. But when the temps dip, adding a beanie or cold-weather headband under your helmet helps keep your ears toasty. Make sure it fits snug enough for maximum protection, but not too snug that you feel pressure or pain.
Ease onto the road. Until you get a good feel for the conditions, ride with an abundance of caution. Assume the roads are more slippery than you think. Take turns slower than usual. Test your brakes so you get your reaction time down. If you feel like you’re being too careful, you’re doing it right.
A little cold won’t stop us! Follow these tips, and you’ll be riding like a Winter pro in no time—and getting around safely and sustainably. We’ll see you out there.
