Wales by Bike

While most riders will put their bikes away for the cold, wet winter months for some it is their only way of getting from A to B. Others simply enjoy riding all year round.

Icy roads, strong winds, dense fog, snow and rain are not the best conditions for being out on a motorbike so riders will need to take some extra precautions.

• Make sure the bike is in good running condition - don't forget to do the POWER checks and keep your headlights clean so other road users can see you
• You will need to concentrate harder in cold weather conditions so make sure you are mentally prepared and focused to anticipate the additional winter hazards such as wet leaves and salt on the road
• Keep warm - as well as your usual protective clothing you need to think about thermals and waterproofs
• Before you set off, check the weather forecasts and consider putting off your journey or taking a different mode of transport if the weather looks particularly bad
• Other road users may not expect to see you and your bike on the road during the winter so stay extra vigilant and keep your distance
• Always ride appropriately for the conditions
• Think about microclimates. This is where the weather conditions such as early morning frost or wet patches linger in some areas (like bottoms of valleys, shaded hillsides or areas shadowed by trees, building or bridges) after they have disappeared elsewhere. This means that road surfaces in some areas have different exposure to the weather so driving conditions will vary