As far as individual actions go, ditching the car is the second most impactful thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Many people say they want to do it, but then don’t. This series will provide guidance and answer questions so that those who want to do meaningful work in healing the planet can begin living their values through choosing to be car-free or car-lite.

Besides begging everyone to (1) learn how to actually drive on snow and ice if they are going to drive, and (2) clear their sidewalks and curb ramps promptly following snow storms, there are some tips that might help those opting out of the private motor vehicle when winter shows up.

The first thing you can do to make winter commuting/mobility more enjoyable is to be an advocate. Push for barrier-protected bike lanes, and for these to be promptly cleared of snow in winter (and leaves in autumn, and cars all year long). Push for sidewalks, and for sidewalk maintenance year-round. No compromise. No “we should be patient and ask nicely.” If pedestrians and cyclists were treated as equals to those using private vehicles, we would see this happen. Our trips, our errands, our need to get to work would be treated with as much care as that of those inside the boxes. Want to feel like a second- or third-class citizen? Walk to work after a snow storm. Notice how the streets are cleared for motor vehicles, while pedestrians are expected to climb over snow mounds. Listen to people regard your safety as the cherry on a sundae instead of as a non-negotiable. Perhaps ask nicely at first, but be prepared to badger, to publicly embarrass those in power, to make a very loud stink about something that should happen automatically.

Why the entitlement? Because northern cities elsewhere have this more or less figured out. We’re the idiots here.

Bicycle modal share (unnecessarily fancy phrase meaning “what percentage of the population travels using this kind of transportation”) in Oulo, Finland is estimated at 12% . . . in the winter. I can’t even bring myself to type out what the bicycle mode share is in Connecticut. And by the way, there is snow on the ground in Oulo for nearly half the year. There, the bike lanes get plowed first.

We don’t need to look as far as Europe to see what’s possible. Places like Boston are using practical equipment for sweeping and plowing bicycle paths, making it safer for people to ride year-round.

Until we get equitable spending and policy, and enforcement of those policies, what we have to contend with is snow moved into spaces where people ride bicycles, and we’re left with property owners not removing snow from where people commute on foot or try to board the bus. Do not get me started on how those using wheelchairs and other mobility devices are actively discriminated against at a heightened level when there is snow and ice.

So, what else helps to improve a snowy or icy commute?

CLOTHING

We’ve mostly covered the clothing aspect before, but put on layers (that can be stripped off later when wet). A reader tip is to visit a store that caters to the building trades to find more affordable options than what is at the bougie outdoors stores. Hardware and tool stores, lumber yards, and the like will have durable clothing meant for people who are going to be working outdoors in winter. Or try your luck at a used clothing store.

As much as I hate hi-vis, I can see the argument for wearing it during an active weather event when there are snow plows out and about. Ideally, you’d be inside, peacefully sipping coquito, but not everyone chooses their work schedule and sometimes that means commuting when you’d rather not.

FOOTWEAR
You can’t wear your Converse and expect to be comfortable when the snow melts through. You’re in New England. You don’t get to wear cute shoes for half the year. Get into it or move!

Find something that has thick soles, a thick rest of the boot (whatever that part is called), at least covers the ankles, and has some kind of grip. There are sprays you can buy to waterproof your shoes if you feel like it. I know this seems basic, but I see people bundle their kids up for school, and then they put on ridiculous loafers and a thin jacket to go to work.

Make sure you can comfortably wear a pair of thick socks with these shoes — don’t be trying them on with those fake pantyhose things they give you at the store.

CRAMPONS

Crampons, on the other hand. Crampons are robust. They’re like tampons, but for your feet. They offer protection while being a little stabby.

These (crampons) are grips you attach to your shoes, and they come in light to heavy floe varieties. Really. Unless you are aiming to walk on a glacier, a standard, relatively inexpensive pair of stabilizers from a place like L.L. Bean or R.E.I. will help to prevent wipe-outs during those icky days when sidewalks are glare ice due to property owners not properly removing snow and/or failing to add salt/sand to a glaze of ice. If you’re clumsy, easily breakable, or feeling anxious about falling, it’s worth the money. (I’m calling them all crampons, but Yak Trax are really what you’re after. That’s a cool name too, but it doesn’t immediately conjure up pain and blood in the same way as “crampons” does.)

Crampons become slippery when worn indoors, unless the floor is carpeted, in which case you fuse to the rug — so plan to remove the grips or your boots entirely, or walk carefully.

Bonus: nobody fucks with you when you’ve weaponized your feet.

STUDS

If you’re biking, studded tires help provide traction. These are available for purchase at Bici Co. in Hartford, so there’s no need for you to donate to some billionaire’s vanity space travel fund.

FAT TIRES
You don’t need a fat bike, but wouldn’t that be fun.

MAINTENANCE
Regularly wipe the salt/grime/snow/ice off of whatever is covered in it, or, do as I suggest and not as I do.

MOVEMENT

When riding, avoid braking on ice. It can’t hurt to practice wiping out in a safer environment (i.e. a place without moving vehicles) so you know how to correct if starting to slide.

Be prepared to put your foot down, literally. One night I went out on the town wearing boots with spike heels. While at the event it snowed and iced, hard. Some drunk guy (because it’s always some drunk guy who has opinions) was annoying me with the standard “how are you going to ride with those shoes” trash, ignoring that I managed to get there in them just fine. The ride home was slippery, and more than once I prevented a spin out by jamming the heel of my left boot into the icy surface for stability.

When walking on icy surfaces, the best advice I can give is to not get too cocky because the second you feel like it’s all good, that’s when you’re gonna eat shit. This is no time for strutting. Go slow and take small steps. Yes, this is maddening for those of us who are fast walkers. If you can’t help yourself, save it for places where there’s several feet of fluffy snow to fall into and where nobody is likely to drive over you with their car.

Falling, if you’re graceless and fragile, can be serious. . . but what to be more mindful of is that the drivers who are normally challenged when it comes to safely stopping and waiting struggle all the more when there is snow and ice. I assume that every driver is going to hit the brakes hard (or glide on through) so I wait more before moving in front of anyway. It’s garbage that not all road users show respect toward others on the street.

For those taking the bus, know that property owners routinely fail to clear snow and ice from stops. Most bus drivers seem to try to find a spot where passengers can safely load, though some will not, and while the front door might be lined up with a cleared space, the same is often not true for the back door. It’s worth following CTtransit on Twitter or Facebook to get updates when buses are delayed or canceled because of bad weather. It seems like most buses continue to run except during a blizzard, but a few routes have frequent issues, even during less severe snow events, because of the terrain.

For readers who have a few seasons of all-weather walking, bus riding, or cycling experience: what else would you advise beginners to do when it gets snowy?