Realistic % of days available for biking to work due to weather

[DrP]

As many here have indicated, it depends on your route and your willingness (pigheadedness?) to ride in the different conditions. And having the right gear.

For the first 1-2 weeks of my regular commuting, I wasn’t going if the winds were predicted to be high or heavy rain was predicted. I gave that up by the end of the 2nd week because the predictions were not accurate for the times I was cycling and in the end, none of the conditions were that bad for cycling. For all the days I went to the office, I was able to bike in (except when the car was needed for other things, like meetings elsewhere in the state), so about 100% for me.

With rain gear, only the thunderstorms were of concern and typically I (a) remained at work for 30-60 min/left 30 min early to avoid, (b) missed them entirely, or (c) got slammed on the ride and hid under a bridge or chanced the last three blocks home (one ride home I managed to just skirt the storm to get drenched waiting to cross a major road half a block from home).

Cycling through the winter is pretty straight forward on some of the trails since they get treated and plowed (Custis). We had a dangerous 1-2inches of snow two nights before a blizzard this year that had the roads at a standstill during evening rush-hour (it packed down quickly and was VERY slick) that I didn’t even notice until I had to get off the trails near my destination. And the next morning I decided that biking would be much safer and quicker than the roads – and I was right! It took 5-10 min longer (and I took the W&OD since the hills are less steep than Custis) since I was slowing for the crunchy icy bits and passing a long line of cars near the office that was not moving; co-workers who drove took nearly an hour longer just due to the slick roads.

Oh, and the people on this forum are great for reporting conditions and warnings, so always check before heading out on iffy days. (and remember to provide your own report if no one else has)
And some folks on the forum go and shovel the trails too.

[consularrider]

In the seven years I was a bike commuter in the DC area, I missed two days because of weather (ice) and both times it turned out I cold have made it in. I was a federal employee and did not fail to go to work on the “liberal leave” days, but would take advantage of the delayed start. My house is near East Falls Church and I was working in Rosslyn. While I did have an easy off street route, before Arlington started clearing the Curtis Trail, the Washington/Clarendon/Wilson Blvd corridor was a priority for snow clearance.

[KWL]

Years ago I would only ride in fair weather. Then I started noticing even on days with rain, my commute times of of day were often dry. That’s when I just started riding every day and dealt with what weather was thrown at me.

[rcannon100]

Rule 9

[TwoWheelsDC]

Also, I should’ve said this earlier, but on crappy days where I think the snow/ice situation is suboptimal, I just take the bus to work. Has some of the same drawbacks as driving, namely traffic, but I can nap or read or play games on my phone or whatever. Buses in this area are actually really good for commuters (less so for using outside peak hours if you’re not in the city).

[cvcalhoun]

@TwoWheelsDC 148659 wrote:

Also, I should’ve said this earlier, but on crappy days where I think the snow/ice situation is suboptimal, I just take the bus to work. Has some of the same drawbacks as driving, namely traffic, but I can nap or read or play games on my phone or whatever. Buses in this area are actually really good for commuters (less so for using outside peak hours if you’re not in the city).

It should also be noted that buses have bike racks. So you can bike into work even if snow/ice is predicted, and just throw your bike on the bus for the trip home if the snow/ice actually materializes. Biking unless there is actual (not just predicted) bad weather will vastly increase the number of days you commute by bike.

[Judd]

@cvcalhoun 148661 wrote:

It should also be noted that buses have bike racks. So you can bike into work even if snow/ice is predicted, and just throw your bike on the bus for the trip home if the snow/ice actually materializes. Biking unless there is actual (not just predicted) bad weather will vastly increase the number of days you commute by bike.

This. When I first started bike commuting, I was reluctant to ride if there was rain forecasted. After several times of the rain not materializing for the commute home, I said “F It” and decided that I was going to bike no matter what the forecast said. Most of the time, it hasn’t rained when initially forecasted. For the rest of the time, I’ve made my peace with rain riding and seldom even wear any rain gear if it’s not cold.

[Author]

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