Winter Bike Fashion Show

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Daniel Stout

press release: Although the weather is turning cold, and snow may be on the way, many Madison residents will continue biking. How do they do that? Find out at the Madison Bikes Winter Bike Fashion Show at the High Noon Saloon, Saturday, November 2, 1:00-4:00 pm. This is a free, family-friendly event, and there will even be some parents and kids modeling.

It’s not just about what to wear, but also how to stay dry, fat bike tires vs studded tires, how to keep your glasses from fogging up, and many more topics.

“Every year I have people tell me that they would like to bike during colder weather, but they don’t know what to wear, or they think they need special clothes,” says Madison Bikes Board member Robbie Webber. “But if you live in Wisconsin and spend any time outdoors, you already have the clothes you need. Whatever you use to shovel snow, wait for the bus, or walk the dog can be used to bike in winter. And biking generates lots of body heat, so you probably need fewer layers than you’d think. That’s why we have this event, to help people figure it out.”

Where are long underwear and puffy coats considered fashionable? At the annual Winter Bike Fashion Show, hosted by Madison Bikes on Saturday, November 2, at the High Noon Saloon. At this family friendly event, local cyclists turned amateur models will walk the catwalk wearing their typical winter biking gear to demonstrate how they stay warm and dry as the temperatures drop. The audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and share their own winter biking tips.

On average, about 5% of Madisonians use a bike to get to work, but these numbers drop off sharply as the colder weather rolls in. This is something that Madison Bikes, a local bike advocacy non-profit, wants to change. “We want to create a city where using your bike to get places is easy and convenient for everyone, year round,” emphasizes Harald Kliems, president of Madison Bikes. “To make that a reality during the colder season, we’re working with the city on things like making sure that our bike network is properly plowed. The Winter Bike Fashion Show is another key piece for us, showcasing that getting around by bike in winter is possible, even in Wisconsin.”

Having local cyclists model their own clothing helps dispel the myth that you need expensive or specialized gear to ride in the winter. Heather Hanson, one of this year’s models, says fancy bike shoes and other extras aren’t needed. She wears her regular pants with long underwear, and a breathable jacket over a few layers of clothing. But child-sized bike helmets with built-in earmuffs were a worthwhile splurge, she says, and they work well for all three of her kids. 

This year’s event features several activities in addition to the fashion show, such as a visit from Madison Public Library’s bike-powered micro library and a silent auction of winter bike themed paintings. One crowd-pleasing event from past years that will be returning is a demo from Metro Transit, who will be bringing a city bus to show attendees how to load their bikes on the bus rack. “On snowier days, using the bus for part of your commute can be a great option,” says Madison Bikes vice president Heather Pape. “Figuring out how to use the bike rack with a bus full of people watching can be intimidating, though. We want to give people the opportunity to try it out in a low-stress environment.”

Kliems especially encourages people who have never ridden in the winter to stop by. “Most people don’t realize they probably have everything they need for winter biking in their closets already,” he says. “Challenge yourself to try out a ride or two this season—you’ll be surprised how doable and fun it can be.” The event is free and open to the public.