Every year, Torontonians brave snow, ice and other tricky conditions to bicycle during the winter.

Here’s what you need to know to safely stay on two wheels when the temperature dips below zero.

Take your time

“Expect to take longer to get places,” said Taylor Cook, store manager at Sweet Pete’s bike shop in Toronto.

Cook said winter conditions mean cyclists shouldn’t be riding as fast as they do in warmer months. It’s also important to give yourself more room to brake.

“Everything is going to happen a little bit faster so you need to go a little bit slower to compensate for that,” he explained.

Stick to one surface – and choose an easy route

Snow pileups on the side of streets give cyclists less room and often forces many even closer to cars, buses and other traffic on the roads.

That’s why Cameron Dempster of the Mountain Equipment Co-Op said “choosing a route that has less traffic can help make commuting safer.”

Avoiding Toronto’s streetcar tracks is also important, he said, since “snow makes them especially slick” in the winter.

If you happen upon a stretch of black ice, don’t pedal and try not to brake, the city advises. Instead, you should try to keep your steering as straight as possible. The city says cyclists should also avoid snow-covered roads and stick to wet pavement instead.

But Cook said the most important thing is to avoiding transitioning too much between snowy, wet and icy surfaces. “Just because there’s snow doesn’t mean it’s not reliable,” he said.

Packed snow, though, can be particularly tricky. “It’s solid. It’s kind of like its own surface. It’s hard to get traction over something like that.”

Dress for the weather

Layering is the key to staying warm on your bike, Dempster told the Star, and cyclists should choose clothes that will keep them both dry and visible on the roads.

Keeping a pair of dry socks at work can also help you avoid a miserable day at the office, Cook added.

Be visible

Riding without lights on your bike is an absolute no-no.

“Winter commutes are often done in the dark or in dim lighting and having proper lights on our bike is paramount for staying safe,” Dempster said.

Cook advised cyclists to check that their lights are fully charged before setting off. “A flashing rear light is going to go a long way,” he said.

Get winter-ready equipment

While cyclists often have their own preferences on the best tire to use, Cook said you should look for “something that’s got tread to it but is not too wide.”

Lowering the pressure of your wheels will also help you cover more surface area on the bike, he added.

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“Having fresh cables and housing for your brakes and your gears can go a long way to make sure that everything is functionally working through the coldest parts,” Cook said.

Bike locks and chains can also freeze when left out in the cold, so try to take your bike inside when you’re not riding. If not, make sure to have lubricant with you for a quick fix.

Also have equipment with you to help change a flat tire, which Dempster said is one of the most common problems.