This is the first of a four-part series where we’ll give you top tips to help save you money, keep fit and enjoy your travel around Swindon in the winter months by bike. You’ll also be able to pre-register interest for a free winterise your bike pack courtesy of Sustrans. One of the beauties of cycling is that it can be enjoyed all year round. There’s no need to put your bicycle away just because the weather turns cold. With a little advice and some basic equipment you and your family can cycle year round and beat the winter blues by keeping fit and active while beating those traffic jams.

In this first edition we’re covering everything you need to know about being seen on the road from hi-vis to lights. In the coming weeks we will also take a look at clothing, maintaining your bike, and how to prepare your bike.

Part 1: Be safe, be seen!

Being seen on the road is important for your own safety but it doesn’t mean you have to spend lots getting all the latest gear to make yourself more visible.

It can be hard for motorists to spot cyclists at the best of times, so take extra care when cycling in dark conditions. A helmet and hi-vis are a good idea all year round, but become even more important as the evenings get darker. If you regularly cycle with a rucksack, consider getting a reflective cover.

You can easily make your clothing more visible with cheap accessories such as hi-vis slap bands and reflective tape on your bike.

Your clothing will help you get noticed on the road but good quality lights are winter essentials. By law, your bike must have a white front light and red rear light (constant or flashing) when cycling between dusk and dawn, as well as a rear reflector.

To help with visibility, bling your arm, bag, helmet, or clothing with extra lights.

In murky conditions good lights will make you more visible so you might want to carry some spare batteries with you to cope with the extra demand. Save money and reduce waste by investing in rechargeable batteries.

Sustrans will be keeping cyclists going this winter by offering free winter cycling packs where you can get guides and information, freebies such as lights and rucksack covers and discounts to lights from Exposure Lights and 20% off the Sustrans shop to buy all the gear you need to making cycling through the winter a breeze.

Pre-register your interest for a pack, which will be available towards the end of September, by emailing swindon@ sustrans.