Tires

As temperatures drop so can your tire pressure. Make sure to check your tire pressure frequently and top up your tires more often. With the leaves creating slick conditions, consider changing your tires to ones with more robust treads.

Bike

Get Clean

After a busy summer bike season, it’s good for your bike to get a thorough check and clean. Visit your local bike shop or better yet, go to the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ community bike shop program, BikeWorks. Their volunteers can teach you to repair or maintain your bike yourself!

Stay Clean

As fall showers create wet cycling conditions, think about installing mudguards or a fender on your bike. Your work and play clothes will thank you for it.

Whether you are continuing your commute to work as the season changes or heading out to check out the fall colours, make sure to be prepared for anything Mother Nature can throw your way.

Here’s a checklist of a few things to think about before setting out.

Clothing

Layer it up

Dressing in layers is the key to staying comfortable during fall’s changeable weather. Feel toasty on frosty mornings with a merino wool base layer and a windproof/waterproof shell jacket. As the sun warms the afternoon air, those under-layers can be packed away for the commute home.

Load up

Even a beautiful morning can swing into a cool afternoon, stay one step ahead of the temperature change by carrying an extra layer. A down shirt or vest can keep your core warm through any weather.

Your hands and feet will be the first parts of your body to feel Edmonton’s fall cool-down. Protect your hands with a pair of thin, windproof gloves. Just make sure they have plenty of grip so you are in control while steering, changing gears, or braking.

For warm toes, consider shoe covers that insulate your feet from the cold and the wet weather. There are a number of design possibilities - small slip-on toe covers, thin booties that cover the whole foot, and even thick insulated neoprene booties for really cold days.

Lighten up

Low visibility is an issue for cyclists as the days shorten. Wearing lighter-coloured clothing or better yet, reflective clothing or a reflective safety vest will light you up and make you more visible to drivers.

If the weather does catch you unprepared, hop on a bus or LRT. Bicycles are allowed on LRTs during off peak hours and all City buses now have bike racks.

Lighting

As the days grow shorter, it’s time to think about adding lights to our bikes. Before installation, give them a full charge or replace the batteries if they haven’t been used over the summer months.

Little Extras

Another fall lighting issue is the sun shining directly into your eyes as it hangs low on the horizon during your morning and evening commute. To cut down on the glare, make sure to wear some quality sunglasses.

Your valuables need protection from the changing weather too! Consider a waterproof or weather-resistant pannier or bag to keep your change of clothes, laptop or notebook and other packed items nice and dry.

Technique

With winter right around the corner, it’s good to start practicing those defensive biking techniques that will serve you well through the next season. Keep your head up, scan the route ahead, anticipate trouble spots early and slow down going around the corners.

Of special note during the fall is to watch out for those piles of leaves which are slippery when wet and can hide hazards underneath them. Avoid when possible, or use extra care at reduced speeds if riding over them.