Cycling in winter with a child in tow: it can be done! Here's what the market offers

The idea that you don't cycle in winter is widespread. Especially in those cities where the bike is used more as sport/hobby than as a daily means of transport. For those who use it consistently, instead of the car, all you need to do is take the right precautions and it's done! The cold weather and rain, if you are well equipped, will not affect your pedaling or even your health. In fact, even the little ones can only benefit from it.

In fact, for true urban cyclists, winter is not a problem. It's just another season. The problem, if we want to put it that way, arises when kids are not yet active cyclists, that is, they are on board of our bike and risk catching cold more. Personally, I took my child, from a very tender age, on the child seat, protecting him from the low temperatures in an adequate way. Using accessories, and there are many on the market, able to protect him.

For short journeys, if you use the front child seat, a simple windshield mounted on the handlebars is enough; an effective and safe method to block air currents. If, on the other hand, he is behind, as in my case, I always acted as a "human windshield". In recent years, in this sense, the market has seen a real turning point by offering the legendary Opossum, for passengers from 1 to 3 years old. A sort of protective thermal shell that remains anchored to the bike and the child seat. A real invention of the industry had by a cycling mom, Ilaria Berio, who, out of personal need, invented something that would keep her child and those of others warm; born as an artisan project, it is now marketed nationwide. We tried it and it's really unbeatable: windproof, rainproof, ultra padded. From there, the child will not want to leave.

Opossum is a sort of protective thermal shell that remains anchored to the bike and the child seat

Useful for those who carry children, a backpack. I always have one on my shoulders. Online you can find different types, such as waterproof Space Explorer backpacks, with closures for right and left-handed people, with reflective stripes that also serve as a fashion detail. On the web, there are also many rain capes for small cyclists who are already autonomous, with a cotton interior lining to protect them from the cold, reflective inserts and ultra wearability. For the older ones, in addition to the myriad of k-ways to counter the atmospheric agents, the market offers the unisex Jungle Jacket, specially created for urban cyclists: from the mom to the employee, from the student to the freelancer. Essential style and Nordic elegance, the Jungle Jacket adapts perfectly to any type of use so as to cover every fit need, both for her and for him. If instead, you are traditionalists, the Garibaldina branded Tucano Urbano is perfect, a Milanese company specialized in accessories for cyclists and motorcyclists.

The scarf with hood by Pietro Barbieri - Photo by mybicyclette.it

Interesting, the scarf with hood by Pietro Barbieri. Handmade by the Turin designer, it is made externally of reflective waterproof and inside of warm and soft wool. Ideal to always keep warm on the bike and be ready to face sudden rains. It has reflex details for night vision.

In winter, in fact, another step to overcome, in addition to the cold, is that of the fog. Shorter days, more darkness, more chance of not being seen on the road. Therefore, for your own safety and that of the child, it is better to equip yourself with reflective inserts to be more visible. A valid alternative, recently on the technical market, is the Vizy Light, a 360° light developed by Tern: the rear light that illuminates behind and on the ground, creating an area of respect and protection for the cyclist in the dark.

Hands, both big and small, need to be kept warm. They are the first to cool down as the body tends to protect internal organs. So you need rainproof gloves, or like mine, ultra worn out, in wool. In the absence of anything else, snow gloves are just fine. Tucano Urbano produces waterproof overgloves with reflective inserts, elastic adjustment on the wrist and touchscreen compatibility, with bag packaging and carabiner attachment to the bicycle. Now all you have to do is take the bike and pedal, even if it's raining outside!

Article by Mama and Bike