For many, the last thing they want to do is trade their nice, warm car for a bicycle at this time of year, and even if you’re playing with the idea the increasing rain and impending snow is probably your number one concern. But with a little preparation and perspective winter biking isn’t as bad you might think.

Winter biking takes preparation but it is just as much an improvement for your life as biking any other time of year. For some of us, that fresh air even feels better when its cold?it seems that much more fresh and invigorating. And you will find you aren’t cold at all once you get out there pedaling.

A lot of people find themselves struggling to keep from being too hot, especially if they made the mistake of throwing on a big winter jacket. Just some decent warm clothes will be all you need once your heart is pumping. Remember that multiple layers create more of an insulating effect than big bulk jackets. You don’t need thickness to stay warm – try wearing a t-shirt and a couple long sleeves instead.

Also, you have to be more careful riding a bike in the winter. If the concrete is icy or wet it can get pretty slippery, but cars are more likely to be involved in accidents in these conditions too. You just have to think about the conditions before you hop on your bike and take the same precautionary measures. One thing to really think about is that if the weather is particularly ugly it is more difficult to see you, so take heed on blind corners and intersections.

A solid helmet is a must in this kind of weather even if it is not required by law. You might not be going that fast, but make no mistake, if you slip on a bad patch of ice and your head hits the pavement you can be seriously injured. To minimize the risks of these incidents, get some tires with really good traction. Mountain biking tires are a great choice but if you have the money and will be riding in extreme conditions then try to get some winter tires.

Eye gear is also helpful to keep the rain and slush tossed up from passing vehicles out of your eyes. Some are fine with sunglasses; others prefer some cool-looking snowboarding goggles. Good lights are a must for any serious commuter if you plan to ride at night. Your eyes usually adjust to the dark enough to see, so the headlight is more for being visible to other drivers. Also, in many places it is the law. I like the lights with the pulse option because I think a flash is more eye-catching.

It’s not necessary, and a lot of bicyclists don’t like to have extra weight up so high when riding, but I like to have a quality backpack when I’m riding because I usually have my laptop with me. Victorinox, the company that makes Swiss Army knives, sells some really quality packs with great organization. It is also nice for keeping paperwork, my cell phone, my long-sleeved shirt if I get too hot, and water or food.

Take your bike to the shop before winter starts and get a tune-up. Or learn to do the maintenance yourself – it’s really a good skill for a regular bicyclist to have.

Some people even consider winter cycling a way to enjoy some sport in the cold season, and in particularly snow-blanketed times it can certainly be just as exhilarating. This is a good mentality to cultivate. It’s nice to take a break from being an adult and get in a little “play” on the way to the daily grind. Enjoy your ride!

Before you dismiss this article and insist there is no way you could live without your vehicle, hear me out. I was back in America holding down a job, running a business, and excelling at the university when I sold my truck to use a bicycle for transport. It was the best decision I ever made. There are a lot of reasons getting rid of your car is an awesome lifestyle choice. Even where I lived at the time, where nowhere worth going is less than a fifteen minute drive and the city transport system begs for an upgrade, I immediately saw improvements in my quality of life.

Here are some reasons why ditching the automobile is a good decision:

Your Social Life – Without a car, you now have to depend on others more often. Depending on other people for rides makes you associate with others more often. Your socials skills get better and you end up getting invited to a lot more social events.

Even if you’re walking, riding a bike, or taking the bus, you are forced to talk to people more. I often got off the bus and before my bike ride home I’d pop in to see a friend who lived nearby or stop at my favorite brewery for a quick beer and some hot wings. On the bus, I found myself talking and associating with amazing people I never would have met sitting in my air-conditioned truck with the windows rolled up.

This constant companionship is great for your health – humans need this kind of social interaction. As with anything, a balance is good, and being around people so often can be a test in patience, but patience is a skill many people need to cultivate.

Good for your Health – Possibly the most obvious of benefits to not having a car are to your health. Being forced to walk or ride a bike gets you outside in the fresh air and all that pedaling is great exercise. You will soon find there is no need for going to the gym.

Good for your mind – Using the older forms of transportation slows you down. You get a completely different sense of time and place. You see the world in differently. You see the plight of people less fortunate than you and develop a new sense of how your community functions – what it would be like without it. Moving along in a fast-paced world at a slower pace gives you a perspective you would not otherwise have.

Good for your Spirit - Now that you have put new challenges upon yourself, you have to rise and meet them. As you pedal everywhere you go or sometimes struggle to juggle a ride, you find you often earn every small step of your life. This may not seem attractive to some, but it is great for the human spirit.

When I would get back from an exhausting day of school or get off work at two o’ clock in the morning and face the uphill ride home in the rain, I would sometimes doubt my decision, but as soon as I walked in the door to my house I felt a sense of triumph, accented by the fact that I was finally living in line with my beliefs. Which brings up the last point?

Good for Your Soul – Not having a car is better for the environment, of course, and you are participating in the act of change. People around you will see the changes in your life. Some may resist those changes, but others will admire you and eventually follow suit. Living out your principles gives you a sense of purpose.

Adjusting to a car-free lifestyle is not an easy process, but for those who live in cities, this kind of living can even be easier than the former option. With a new emphasis on sustainable city planning, we will see more and more cities and towns built around the idea that living without wheels is a healthier choice.

In my own experience, giving up the my limiting vehicle and all the chains that came with it gave me the freedom and courage to throw some of my things into a backpack, move out of my home, and take off to see the world. Not everyone’s decision will lead to such a drastic change, but I assure you, with a little patience, a little effort, and a little lateral thinking, a car-free lifestyle will change your life. For the better.