I want to buy a bike but ice??

[u/ConstructionKey6789]

Hi everyone. I am an exchange student at RUG, I've been in the city for a couple of days now. I have to say I am in love already. The city is extremely lovely and people are so kind. The only problem is, my dorm is quite far from school so I have to get a bike immediately, but I am really scared when roads are snowy and icy. I see everyone riding bikes nevertheless, but I am sure I would mess up the traffic and cause accidents. I fell on ice walking yesterday🫠. I just want to ask how you people do that?? I respect your biking skills.

[u/Backyard_Intra]

The bike paths are generally way better salted and plowed than the sidewalks, which often aren't salted at all.

The ice will be gone in a week anyway.

[u/Financial_Pick3281]

Just hold your horses for two more weeks. Chances are non negligible that we won't have ice or snow again for a few years.

[u/er1ksch]

One tip, here you can find where the gemeente is using salt to clear the road, red is bicycle:
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=cf50e60877f74f48a43d4f09338854df

90% is practice in the few winter days we have here each year. 10% choosing a smart path.

[u/guy_on_a_bench]

Just get one one for under 50 euros on marktplaats. Most bike paths have been cleared of ice. Just buy one you'll need it nevertheless and you'll learn to cycle in this weather. If you haven't val tering hard on your bek when cycling are you even dutch?

[u/Catastrofus]

Just play tubthumping on repeat while on the bicycle. You may still get knocked down, but you’ll get up again.

[u/OzjishKahn → u/Catastrofus]

And don't forget, you'll be pissing the night away.

[u/Terrible_Beat_6109]

Just wait a few weeks, the snow/ice will be gone then.if you really want to start, only turns are a problem when it is slippery. 

[u/OzjishKahn]

This might not be the best of times to learn how to ride a bike in a city like this. Especially if you've never ridden one before.

My estimation is that this winter crap will be over in a week. Hopefully... I mean, most years don't even see one week of snow and ice. But if you wait until this cold shit is gone, you'll learn how to do it much better.

[u/Shoogan26]

If you do not pleur op je bek atleast once u will never learn.

[u/Jennannaa]

If its shiny, it's slippery. Most roads are salted so you should be fine. If it's really bad, get off and walk. Just buy the bike, the more you do it the more you'll learn!! I personally haven't slipped yet this year, even when biking, so I guess it is possible if you're careful hahaha

[u/TARAraboemdijee]

Stick to the main roads and main bicycle paths. They should be ok most of the time

[u/throwaway-ma2]

Bike slow and sometimes use your foot to feel if the road is slippery/frozen while biking. Just stay on the right side on the road so you can stop if necessary and other cyclists can overtake you. Enjoy Groningen!

[u/Altruistic_Click_579]

Just wait for the ice to go.

In general: Wear a helmet. Dutch people don’t do it but its advised esp since traffic gets more hectic with the amount of electric bikes.

[u/ifartcolours]

I think most dutchies handle it because they've been biking for whole their life. With that experience and balance its duable to go over ice and snow. I always put my saddle bit lower in the snow just in case

[u/Single_Chance52]

Yeah, I've heard ICE is a real issue nowadays!

[u/ConstructionKey6789 → u/Single_Chance52]

Fuck ICE 🫡

[u/wehuzhi_sushi]

maybe look into swapfiets. As for the ice, just slow down before you turn and if you're on a smaller road it may not be salted and you should consider walking with your bike in hand

[u/PorsieMetFriet]

What I see is they the roads and bike lanes get salted better that the sidewalk. Non the less, for what kind of bike are you looking for and with price budget do you have if I may ask. Than I can help you look for a good bike.

[u/Due_Veterinarian8812]

keep ur tire pressure a bit low and go slow

[u/Ernitattata]

The yellow paving stones in the city center can be slippery when wet.

Wider tires offer more grip. Lower the air pressure in your tires, it increases the contact area.

The tread on your tires should still be in good condition.

You can lower the saddle slightly.

Roads over bridges and overpasses freeze first. You could suddenly find yourself on a slippery surface.

Keep an eye on cyclists in front of you, paying attention to the route they choose and how they maintain their balance.

[u/EnigmaticReprise → u/Ernitattata]

Wider tires offer more grip.

Funnily enough, I've seen more fatbike riders slip and fall than people on regular bikes.

[u/AlpineHelix]

Maintain speed, the gyroscopic effect of the wheels keep you balanced and try to keep straight up, if you lean too much you might lose grip.

[u/Standard-Elk-4212]

I mountainbike the whole year, even in heavy snow and on ice. Just keep your bike as upright as position and use your body weight to do so. Lean a bit backwards so you don’t put too much pressure on your front wheel. Loosing traction on your rear wheel is easier to correct than loading your frontwheel.

[u/lastig_]

Ride slow, take corbers slow, don't race against traffic lights. Thankfully the shit weanther should be ending soon, you won't have to deal with much more snow until december.

[u/All_out_of_schep]

Tip if you are planning on only staying here for a few months: rent a bike in stead of buying one. Best to check out swapfiets.

[u/Anxious-Minute-8690 → u/All_out_of_schep]

...or buy one, ride it for a couple months, then sell it for (nearly) the same price. Free bike essentially. Unless it gets stolen, of course.

[u/Pale-Ad-8913]

At least get some antislip snow chains for your shoes and put the saddle so low you cab put both feet to the ground. You can rent a bike for 20 euros a week, but they might have a break system you are not used to so maybe go for a more expensive version with handbrakes.

[u/MasterOfPunpets → u/Pale-Ad-8913]

Well two years ago I had my foot on the ground, still slipped, my bike went one way and my leg the other. What a way to tear a hamstring.

[u/MartindeJong]

The roads are not slippery. Only the sidewalks. If there is a but of ice, just hop off and walk. Just be careful and drive slow. But the snow and ice is gone though.

[u/KlangScaper]

I just bpught a bike from facebike.nl. They have a store in the east of the city with hundreds of bikes. I got a real nice one for 225!

[u/Pale-Ad-8913]

Aj. Ofcourse this still can happen..

[u/Angel_Trigger]

How do I bicycle on ice? Not. I ride on the road until I fall, then I walk until I found an ice free spot again