Dallas is warm enough that it’s practical to use a motorcycle year round. Aside from the changes in clothing and riding habits that have to be made to accommodate cold weather, you’ll also have to accommodate winter drivers. There are several factors working against a motorcyclist during the winter months.

Black ice is a popular term for a thin sheet of ice that forms on the road, oftentimes in areas where the sun doesn’t hit or at intersections where moisture from car exhaust freezes to the road. Unfortunately, black ice really isn’t black: it’s transparent. When you’re on the road, the tire ruts in the blacktop are usually less icy than the crowned areas of the road. The heat from car tires prevents ice from forming. If you do hit a patch, don’t turn your bike. Reduce your speed and keep your bike upright on the ice. These patches of ice usually aren’t very large, but they can cause you to lay your bike down.

Winter drivers really aren’t expecting to see motorcyclists. In the summer, drivers are simply more conditioned to seeing bikes on the road and will tend to notice them more. Be extra careful, especially during the dawn and dusk hours. Between the low light and the fact that dawn and dusk occur around rush hour in the winter, it’s a dangerous time to be on the roads.