Vol. 2 – Staying Warm on Your Scooter
Winter always brings a mix of weather conditions, and the last few weeks have been no exception with some days plummeting to as low as -9. Temperatures like this can leave you feeling less motivated to get out and ride on your scooter for the day.
We always advise our customers to check weather conditions before leaving their house for the day – weather conditions can change so rapidly and leaving at midday can be very different to travelling back at 10pm.
You should only ride your scooter if it is safe to do so. Having said that there are ways to minimise the impact of weather conditions by wearing the correct clothing and gear. Staying warm is just as important as staying safe on the roads.
Tip 1
Always carry extra layers of clothes just in case it gets cold. We advise this in the summer too but it’s absolutely vital in the winter months.
Wearing thermal clothing as a base layer can be a good place to start. Putting thin layers on top of that can feel less cumbersome and equally as effective than a chunky layer under your safety gear.
You should always ensure that you can get a couple more layers under your jacket when you first purchase it.
Tip 2
If you have vents on your helmet, make sure they are closed in the winter to stop any draughts.
Always check that there are no gaps in between any of your clothing. Your jacket should be zipped to the top and rest at the top of your trousers. Not only is this for safety, but it will also help against the cold on your journeys.
Tip 3
Enhance your standard gloves with heated variants – this one is a bit of a game changer. It’s an expense you’d need to cover, but one definitely worth investing in.
Regardless of whether or not they are heated, gloves are essential wear in the winter. Fingers are the kind of extremities that really feel the cold and leaving them too exposed will definitely have an effect on your riding.
Cost can vary from anything upwards of £90 – maybe a Christmas present or something to think of for the future!
Staying Warm and Safe
Unfortunately, scooters and mopeds will never have the same heating functions as cars or other similar vehicles.
A rider has to expect that they will feel the effects more when the weather gets colder than the average driver. All the tips we’ve suggested are measures to try and take the edge off of those frosty mornings and icy evenings.
W2W advises that the best course of action for all riders is a level of caution when temperatures drop. Your own safety is more important than anything else.
ICYMI – read Vol.1 on how to stay safe on your scooter here.
Wheels to Work
Are you looking for a way to get back to work? Do you need an affordable and convenient transport solution?
Wheels to Work provide 50cc and 125cc scooters in Northants, Bucks, Beds, Berks, Warks, Leics and Oxon to support you getting to and from your place of work.
If transport is restricting you actively seeking employment, training, or an apprenticeship, or you work anti-social hours, then hiring a scooter gives you independence and opportunity.
Training and protective clothing can be provided with the scooter too.
For further details, please call 01327 857213 or email info@wheelstowork.net. If you’d like to go ahead and apply, click here.
