Roads in winter

There are significant risks for all road users in sub-zero conditions. Therefore we would recommend that cyclists use our precautionary carriageway gritting network as far as practicable. This covers 52% of our network and is generally well salted and in reasonable condition.

While some cycle paths parallel to precautionary gritting routes are salted this is not particularly effective. This is because these routes do not benefit from the action of wide tyres crushing and spreading rock salt and working it into solution. Hence cycle paths may still be white with frost even when salted.

The consequences of cyclists unexpectedly encountering black ice are particularly serious. Black ice can form in certain conditions even when surfaces have been gritted. Risks also increase further as temperatures drop significantly below zero and rock salt becomes less effective.

We would ask cyclists to consider these risks when making travel choices and adjust their cycling routes where necessary.