Cyclists hit Kitchener streets for winter Bike to Work Day

Cyclists who love wearing layers of gear and navigating snowand ice Friday is your day.

The City of Kitchener is holding its Winter Bike to Work Day after the event was postponed last Friday due to an extreme cold weather alert.

Cyclists are invited to ride separated bike lane on Belmont Avenue near Union Boulevard starting at 7:30 a.m., although organizers say the ride may not start until around 8 or 8:30 a.m. The ride will be about two kilometres and ends at Belmont and Filsinger Trail.

The City of Kitchener created the separated bike lanes along Queen's Boulevard, Belmont Avenue and Water Street as part of a pilot project.

Chris Springer, who's 77 years old, has been cycling through the winter monthsfor more than 50 years.

He bikes in all seasons for environmental reasons. But he says it has also become a relaxing outlet.

"There's a certain level of satisfaction to just being able to travel under my own steam," he said.

Springer says he doesn't always feel safe on city streets, though. Neither does Zachary Fowler, who works at Recycle Cycles, a place where people can repair their bikes in Kitchener.

"Last time I tried to use Uptown bike lanes, they had plowed all of the snow to the entrance, so therewas just a big mountain of snow. Conditions and maintenance of trails can slow you down," he said.