What Zombies Can Teach Us About Winter Biking

We’ve heard of zombies in the movies, those mythical dead who have returned to life as a walking corpse.  While we may cheer when they tear apart a movie villain, cry when they take a bite out of one of our heroes, and whoop it up when a favorite character narrowly escapes the approach of their decaying flesh, you have to admit zombies usually get what they want.   If there is something we really want, like to bike all through the winter, using some of the same behaviors as zombies might just help us be prepared and safe on the road.    

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Here are some traits of zombies and how they can inspire us as winter cyclists.

• Confidence – When zombie are thwarted in their pursuit of their target, they just adjust and keep going.    When they identify a source of human flesh they want to consume, there is no stopping them.  You’ve never seen an insecure zombie. 
  
  Similarly, when setting out to roll your bike into the cold and dark morning of your commute, confidence that you can do it could make all the difference.  Set a goal, i.e., cycling 2-3 times per week or a number of miles per week over a season.  Once a cycling goal is set, the next step is to track progress by marking days ridden in a calendar or collecting miles ridden data from a bike computer or cycling app and downloading them into a spreadsheet.  These little wins of staying on track will boost your confidence and keep you pointed in the right direction for the rest of the season. 
  
  
• Respect – No matter what you think about a zombie’s appearance of decay and its discolored skin and eyes, it knows what to do, i.e., seek out humans, eat them, or turn them into other zombies.  You have to have a lot of respect for someone with that much skill and focus in what they do. 
  
  As a winter cyclist, you also can command respect on the road.  Know your rights as a cyclist and as a driver of a vehicle, follow the rules of the road, signal your intentions, and be predictable.  This behavior will garner the respect of other road users -- recognition that you are out there using sustainable transportation and braving the weather to get to where you want to go.  
  
  

• Thoroughness – When zombies reaches their prey, they do not stop until they have eaten the whole thing.  The only way they will stop from being thorough and finishing the job is being stopped themselves, like with a bullet to the center of the head. 
  
  Similarly, being thorough in your preparation and execution of your winter bike rides will benefit you.  Make sure you have the proper gear for your bike, such as wider tires, front and rear lights to light the road and be seen, and the cleaning supplies, lubrication and a location for cleaning road muck off your bike.  Also be thorough in obtaining equipment for yourself, such as wicking layers of clothing, a waterproof shell, warm gloves and socks, waterproof shoes, a light weight hat for under your helmet, and a balaclava for your face. 
  
  
• Anticipate Situations – Zombies are aware of their surroundings and can anticipate where they might find a human.  They are aware of the environment and listen for the smallest sound, like a person rustling in bushes and foot steps, and they start their slow move (or fast if they are one of those zombies) in that direction to achieve their goal.  
  
  As a cyclist, during the winter or any other time, there is a benefit of anticipating less desirable outcomes in common situations on the road and being prepared for them.  So when you see a motorist slowing down at an intersection, you can anticipate that they might be getting ready to make a turn, so get ready for a lane change or stop.  If you see a motorist inside a car, you might anticipate they will be opening their car door in your path and be ready to stop or go around it (after checking the traffic).  If you see a traffic light change as you wait to enter an intersection, you might anticipate that some motorists might scoot through the intersection and therefore you should wait for all traffic to clear the intersection before proceeding.  No one is born aware of all road hazards, but using all your available senses like the zombies do to identify hazards, anticipate situations and be prepared with a response, the safer your ride will be

• Stand Out – Zombies are different from any type of monster out there and they do not seem to mind.   There is nothing cuddly or cute about their rotting, dripping flesh and lumbering gate.  But in the world of all the scary beings, whether ghosts, demons, vampires, banshees, hydra, or bogeymen, no one stands out as a human  being tracker like the zombies do.  They are not afraid of the dark, sunlight does not bother them, and weapons are not effective, unless, of course, you get a shot to the center of their forehead.    
  
  While on the road in the winter, you would do well to mimic the zombies and stand out.  Wear visible clothing, have a strong front light of a minimum 300 lumens in the front and a rear light of a minimum 110 lumens.  Attached reflectors and reflective tape.  Don’t worry if your winter cycling kit makes you look geeky, it’s good to be visible and safe.  Ride in a predictable manner so other road users can guess what you will do before you do it and be prepared.  In inclement weather, it is usually best to bike on major roads that are frequently plowed and salted and not on the smaller side streets that are preferable in the better weather.  Daring to be different and standing out on the road will make you safer.
  
  

There continues to be a fascination with zombies, some say they represent our deepest fears.  But by employing some of the traits that makes them successful we can brush aside some of the fear of winter biking and enjoy whatever weather throws at us while we are outside on our bikes, just as long as you don't eat any brains.