this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2026
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I'm no climate change nor oil expert, but I do agree more bikes and less vehicles is the way to go.
It will be better on all our wallets, environment, and health.
We really need better public transport. Bikes are not going to help when it’s -30C and two feet of fresh snow.
I spent over a year biking as my primary transport (commuting, groceries, hauling compost, etc) with -30C days in the winter just to see if I could go without my truck. Proper gear and a bit of forethought makes weather a non-issue. We're Canadians, get used to the cold again, folks. Get yourwelf some proper Helly Hansen or similar rain gear (WR is rated in mm on good gear), some neoprene over the handlebar gauntlets for cold/gale rain days (got mine for $15 from aliexpress) and get after it.
Big dumps of snow are annoying, but easily handled if the city/town actually invests in proper bike path infrastructure and snow clearing equipment instead of relegating us to the gutters.
Those little sidewalk snowplows/throwers handle bike paths easily and they are plowed here before I wake up to go to work (plow drivers work at night here so the roads and sidewalks are done for the AM).
Most of the complaints against biking in Canada are easily handled with a little planning and forethought. But the complaints are continually pushed by the auto lobby so 🤷♂️ doesn't really matter if they have a weak basis, most people will just regurgitate it without ever trying for themselves
Take a look at this video, he goes over why this is actually possible: https://youtu.be/Uhx-26GfCBU
Essentially if you have a society that actually focuses on alternative transportation; it gets prioritized. Bike rides are the norm and don't feel like a chore, so when it's cold out people still reach for their bikes. Coupled with the municipality clearing bike paths BEFORE roads and you have the infrastructure to support it.
The bike argument always forgets people with disabilities, older people, people with health conditions, people with kids.
You’re not going to the grocery store and shopping for a family of 5 on a bike, regardless of whether it’s the middle of a blizzard or a perfect sunny summer day. You’re not picking up Billy at violin lessons and Sarah at karate lessons and Jim at swimming lessons at 3 different locations spread across the city on a bike.
And then there’s just the issue of commuting to work. People generally already live as close to work as they can afford. People who can afford to bike to work are doing so by choice.
As far as “a society that focuses on this or that,” that’s the hard part. Getting society to come together and solve an issue, any issue, is the hardest thing to do in life. Nearly all the problems in the world exist because we can’t manage to do that. The fact that some societies, such as the Netherlands, manage to beat the odds is basically a fluke. And NotJustBikes knows that! That’s why he gave up and moved there.
The bike argument doesn't forget these factors at all, in fact it makes them better. No one says everyone MUST bike. You can still have a car, and with more people biking there will be less people on the road, reducing congestion.
We have a Premiere who is currently having bike lanes removed via the courts, and making it illegal to remove a lane of traffic for bikes. I am not holding my breath.
I live in Winnipeg and tried to ride my e-bike this winter. What a disaster. There's not enough dedicated bike lanes (except in the downtown area), snowplows can't/won't make sure that wind rows aren't left scattered everywhere, shoulders of main thoroughfares - which are often graveled with steep angles towards ditches - are utterly terrifying to try and navigate, and sidewalks are often not plowed for days (or there are no sidewalks at all).
In many cities bikes and motorcycles are illegal to drive during winter months. Just looking outside where I am living tells me the law is a no-brainer.
I'm planning to equip my CB300R with studded tires and a cage this year so I can ride it through next winter. It even has ABS!
Studded tires are illegal in most CDN cities. ABS does fuck all on ice, basically turns off the brakes.
It's legal in Montreal, and a requirement for motorcycles in winter.
ABS works on snow, studs work on ice.
Better transport for sure. And its just a few days out of the year you may be out in "two feet of fresh snow." However proper winter gear and caution can still be manageable for a lot of folks even in the few days of harshest of conditions like the one you mentioned.
Fat bike tires, or winter studded tires can help in the case of severe winter weather. Dressing in good layers. Advocating for people biking conditions in your city.
The money you save will be able to be put into better gear, and maybe a Canadian E-Bike. And there is also the lives you are saving to thank yourself for. Including your own health with free exercise -- you may be able to cancel your gym membership.
Your city may likely have bike trails worth exploring for alternative safe and quicker routes. And a good durable bike would be a good way to go explore them.
It might even save you time to get to work.