– Now it’s in full swing and we like that, says Robert Andersen. These are hectic days for the bicycle mechanic in Fredrikstad. After the autumn’s first snowfall hit Eastern Norway, the phone to the local bike shop has been ringing more often than normal. – There are a lot of people who have called to change to studded tires on their bikes, he says. On Monday 30 October, the snow fell in several places in Eastern Norway. Here, the snow has settled at Glomma’s outlet in Fredrikstad. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news Andersen and the others at Gaarder cycling are used to customers flocking in when winter comes. But this year there are more than normal. They notice a slight increase in the number of inquiries. Andersen believes that this is because more and more people choose the bicycle, also in winter. He says that it has become common not only to change tires on the car, but also on the two-wheeler. – We also see an increase in the number of people cycling in the winter months. Winter cycling: – Not so demanding It’s not just in Östfoldbyen that more people choose the bicycle. – Many people see that cycling in winter is actually not very demanding, it is also very nice, says general secretary Eline Oftedal of the Cyclist Association. The bicycle shop also repairs bicycles for various types of damage. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news She encourages those who are going to cycle in winter to check the road before they hit the roads. Because when the snow came for the first time this autumn, it wasn’t just heavy traffic and cars with summer tires that had problems. – There were many people in Eastern Norway who had cycled to work and didn’t quite get home because there was a lot of snow and slippery conditions, Oftedal says. She therefore believes it is important to have good facilities for cyclists. – Where it is well organised, that’s where the cyclists come. We see that not only with winter cycling, but with cycling in general. Getting better Jan Henrik Lund cycles just under 20 kilometers each way to work. He is very fond of cycling and his two-wheeler is in use all year round. Jan Henrik Lund heads the cyclists’ association in Nedre Glomma. He likes cycling and uses the bike for work. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news He believes that the cycling conditions in Fredrikstad are good, but that there is also room for improvement. – It can get better and it can be safer for those who don’t cycle as much. For us who are used to cycling a lot, it’s mostly fine, says Lund, who also leads the cyclists’ association in Nedre Glomma. You can do this For Lund, the bicycle is used as a means of getting to work, leisure activities and shopping trips. – I don’t have to think about parking, and it’s very easy. If you’re going out cycling in the winter, it’s important to have studded tyres, says the experienced hobby cyclist. There is no requirement to change to winter tires on a bicycle, as there is on several other vehicles. But it may still be a good idea to avoid injuries. For those of you who are now planning to use your bike in winter, Oftedal in the Cyclist Association has several recommendations: Studded tires are the most important Studded tires are an important prerequisite for safe and secure cycling in winter. There are studded tires for different types of wheels. Even mountain bikes with rough wheels should be changed to studded tyres. It gives you the road surface you need. Studded tires can be fitted to several different types of bicycle tyres. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news Be visible It is important to be visible both for your own safety and that of others. It is required to have lights mounted on the bicycle front and rear. Check brakes It’s a good idea to remember that the braking distance can increase in winter. Remember to check the brakes and brake pads. Good maintenance of the bicycle is generally important. The braking distance can be longer when riding on smooth surfaces. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news Salting There is a lot of salting on the roads in winter. It is not so good for the sprocket and chain on the bike. Therefore, it may be a good idea to lubricate it liberally with thin oil. Lights are useful for making yourself visible to other road users in the dark. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news You can also use Teflon, which protects the metal parts and drive parts of the bicycle against road salt. If you have the opportunity to rinse the bike with water in the evening and put it in, that is an advantage. Check driving conditions Many municipalities are good at maintaining cycle lanes throughout the winter, believes Oftedal in the Cyclist Association. Nevertheless, she encourages everyone who is going to cycle on winter roads to always check the conditions. Hectic days At the bike shop in Fredrikstad, they expect to change the tires of around 500 bikes this year. In the store in Fredrikstad, they also take care of the customers’ summer tires at the tire hotel. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news The timetables have started to fill up. When news visited the store at the end of October, there was about a month until the next available appointment for a tire change. Although it means a lot of work for bicycle mechanic Andersen and his colleagues, they are very satisfied with the progress. – We like people to use us and that is the best. That is what we care about, he says.
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Good tips for winter cycling – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
