By Sara Villalobos
According to the Census Bureau, San Francisco has the sixth highest percentage (3.4 percent) of people who bike to work in the country, and more people join the bike commute every day. It’s research-verified common sense that one of the most common reasons why people don’t bike is rain. Rainy days can be especially off-putting to relatively inexperienced cyclists, who may be unsure how to prepare and handle their bikes in rainy weather.
But before you abandon your bike and your hope, try a couple of “bike hacks” from seasoned riders. Here are five simple steps you can take to weatherproof your bike commute and ride year-round.
1. Get Fenders
Fenders can be a major benefit in all kinds of weather, but they are especially suited for riding in the rain. If you find yourself in a local bike shop, especially one like Ocean Cyclery, which specializes in commuter and urban bikes, you’re likely to encounter many quaint-looking rides with a slim sheet of metal that hovers over the inside of the front and back wheels. These are fenders. In addition to being attractive, these accessories also serve an important function: they are the first offensive line between you and the water, dirt and gravel that your bike tires pick up on the road and sling toward you with each revolution. They also help keep your bicycle’s chain, sprockets and brakes from getting mucked up. Fenders come built into some bicycles and can be installed on most bikes.
2. Wear a Visor
A visor on your helmet can help keep the rain off your face and keep your vision clear as you ride — especially for the bespectacled set. If you have a helmet that doesn’t include a visor, you can usually find a detachable option from the same brand. You can also go old-school Velo and wear a cycling cap. These are specialized hats that fit similarly to a baseball cap but with a thinner fabric and a slim, curved visor designed to fit under a helmet. Check out Huckleberry Bicycles’ stylish signature version. Wearing a cycling cap has the added benefit of providing a layer of fabric to keep your head warm and cut the wind that slips through helmet vents.
3. Repel Water
A pair of rain pants and a rain jacket made of water-repellent material will totally change your bike commute. These items are typically loose fitting enough to put on over regular clothes. This alone is awesome because not only can you transform Superman-style into your neat workday attire, but also it keeps you drier and warmer on the bike while you ride. Take it a step further (pun intended) with shoe covers or “overshoes.” Having cold, wet feet is a miserable sensation that will leave you chilled for hours. Overshoes are waterproof covers for your feet and shoes that will totally save the day.
4. It’s in the Bag
This is just a wild guess, but you probably don’t want all your stuff to get soaked either. Waterproof bike bags, or “panniers,” are where it’s at. You simply pack in your things and roll up the bag. Et voilà! No more soggy personal effects. Everybody Bikes has some nice options for waterproof panniers and water-repellent bags if you prefer to tote your own.
5. Winter or All-Weather Tires
You know those Goodyear commercials that show water flowing effortlessly through tire treads while the car comes to a slip-free screeching halt in the rain? That’s what winter/all-weather tires can do. They have grooves to divert the water and maintain traction with the road. Standard road- or commuter-bike tires can get very slick when it’s rainy. Swapping out your treads for something with a little more grip can help you feel more secure while you ride.
If you enjoy bike commuting or are thinking about trying it, don’t let a little rain stop you. Brush up on basic bike safety with the free My City Bikes San Francisco app, and try one of the app’s featured beginner-friendly routes or bike paths to get a feel for biking in the rain before you head out on the road. You’ll gain confidence and control the more you ride, and come spring, your bike commute will be a breeze!
