How to Ride a Bicycle in the Winter Workshop

Winter Ready?
Join for an informal discussion about riding bikes this winter! Learn from Patty Wiens how winter cycling changed her life and get “hot” tips. Winter cycling overview around the world with Anders Swanson and mechanical advice. Expect short presentations, group discussion and warm vibes.

Patty Wiens is Winnipeg’s first Bicycle Mayor. She’s a Brazilian woman living in Winnipeg who transformed from a fair-weather cyclist to a dedicated winter commuter and advocate for cycling. Initially hesitant to bike in winter, her perspective shifted as she discovered the joy and freedom of riding year-round. With the support of her partner and the local cycling community, she overcame challenges, including cold weather and snowy conditions.While winter cycling was the gateway drug to Patty’s journey into Bike Advocacy, most importantly it presented her with something she didn’t expect. Come to this workshop and find out what that was. If you are curious but nervous about winter cycling, this will be the perfect opportunity to see what clothing and equipment help conquer Winnipeg’s coldest days. Ok, maybe NOT the coldest, but pretty close.

Anders is a multi-disciplinary artist and community organizer. His life’s work has been to improve how we think about transportation, and use the space between the houses, and in so doing, has left a small mark all over the world. His role as part of the Winter Cycling Federation has brought him to Russia, Finland, Friesland, Minneapolis, and multiple Canadian cities where he documents and shares winter design, construction and maintenance best practices. He became a professional bicycle mechanic first as part of the team at Natural Cycle servicing bike couriers and hardy winter riders and now as part of Winnipeg Trails’ Plain Bicycle social enterprise. He’s full of stats and anecdotes and policy ideas, but his favourite thing about riding bicycles in winter is not what it does for the community, or his own transportation needs, but the sound of two wheels rolling over a soft blanket of new snow.