What the Data Says About Cycling In Spring Vs Winter
As we welcome the longer days and warmer weather that spring brings, our latest See.Sense Member’s Insights blog is shedding some light on the seasonal differences in rider behaviour.
This analysis has been provided by See.Sense, using anonymised data gathered from users of See.Sense lights connected to their free app. See.Sense is our Official Bicycle Lights and Data Insights Supplier and will continue to provide member insight blogs throughout 2024. Find out how to get involved at the bottom of the article.
The analysis of sensor data from See.Sense bike lights reveals some intriguing seasonal patterns in cycling behaviour, highlighting a clear difference between how cyclists ride in winter time compared to spring time.
Speed Insights: A Winter's Caution, A Spring's Vigor
The See.Sense data shows a clear decrease in cycling speed during the winter months. Speeds above 27 kph (where the two lines meet) are much less common in the winter compared to the spring. This cautious approach very likely stems from the challenges posed by shorter days, mainly reduced visibility and slippery conditions.
However, as spring arrives, we can see that higher speeds are much more common than in winter. This seasonal shift underscores the importance of using bike lights with speed-measuring capabilities, not only to enhance visibility but also to monitor and adjust speed for safer cycling.
Swerving Insights: Navigating with Care
Winter brings a large increase in medium to high-intensity swerving events among cyclists using See.Sense lights. These swerving patterns indicate the need to navigate around obstacles like ice patches or potholes that are more prevalent in colder months.
Conversely, gentle swerving events are much more common in spring with a significant drop in more intense swerving events from the graph below.
Braking Insights: The Changing Pace of Stopping
Our analysis also reveals seasonal variations in braking behaviour. Winter sees an uptick in gentle braking, suggesting cautious deceleration in potentially hazardous conditions.
Meanwhile, spring's arrival ushers in more frequent medium and high-intensity braking events, likely due to increased speed and more active riding, with riders having greater confidence in maintaining grip under heavy braking.
Staying Daylight Visible
In summary, examining seasonal rider behaviour with See.Sense's data reveals how each season shapes our cycling habits uniquely. From cautious winters to vibrant springs, understanding these patterns stresses the importance of adapting for safer rides.
Regardless of the season or conditions, prioritising safety remains paramount. As we embrace the warmer weather and longer days of spring, let's remember the importance of staying visible and safe on every ride, even during daylight. With See.Sense bike lights offering visibility not just during the night but also in changing daylight conditions, cyclists can navigate roads with confidence year-round.
Get Involved!
We’ll have more member insights blogs coming throughout 2024, so make sure to get involved by anonymously contributing your ride stats using the free See.Sense App. You need to own a See.Sense light to contribute, however Cycling Ireland Membership offers an exclusive 30% discount code off all See.Sense award-winning reactive bike lights - check your membership newsletter to find your unique code.
If your county isn’t featured here, put it on the map! Our coverage is still building in some counties, particularly in areas outside major population hubs, so if you’d like to see your county rank higher, be sure to use your exclusive discount and hit the roads with a See.Sense light.
Not Just A Bike Light
It's not just about the insights. If you own a See.Sense product and have joined the See.Sense community through their mobile app, you’ll see some unique and fun stats about your own rides too. These include:
The distance you've cycled
The calories you've burned
How much CO2 you’ve saved by cycling
More unique and fun stats.
Remember, all Cycling Ireland members get 30% off See.Sense lights!