Abbie O'Gallagher locks up her bike outside Whole Foods on Monday afternoon. She rides every day, whether to work or running errands, unless there is ice on the roads. ( MARTY CAIVANO )

Why ride your bike to work or school in the winter?

You don't have to scrape your windshield.

That's one argument posited by Josh Brown, development director for Boulder's Community Cycles. Of course he has plenty of other arguments -- it's fun, it's safe, the bike racks are empty in winter.

But people don't like scraping their windshields, so why do it when you live in a city where the bike paths are plowed as fast as the roads?

If you need a more legitimate excuse, try this: Winter Bike to Work Day is Wednesday, and there's free breakfast at points around town for anyone in tights and a helmet. (Tights not actually required.)

Community Cycles' next winter cycling clinics are on Feb. 6; details at www,communitycycles.org.

In the meantime, here are five ways to make winter cycling more doable:

1 Stay warm and dry (duh)
Dress in layers and stay dry, as you would with any outdoor sport, Brown said.

Be a little chilly when you step out the door. You'll warm up once you're riding and exerting yourself. Especially if you're sprinting away from a road-rage incident -- that really gets the blood flowing. (Please be good and follow the rules!)

2 Slow down
Slow down. You move too fast.

Don't brake or turn on ice, just roll straight through if you hit a patch, Brown said.

"If you're clipped in, you might want to unclip a foot or two. If you can brake first, do. But don't panic."

Concerning panicking: If you live in Ned, work/go to school in Boulder, and halfway down the canyon you realize you forgot to pack underwear, then panic.

3 Look like a Christmas tree
In the winter, you're much more likely to be heading home in the dark.

"Be well lit. Be visible. Anything you can do to look like a Christmas tree. Anything you can do to catch a driver's eye," Brown said.

Anything? Is anyone else thinking of the Naked Pumpkin Run?

One ornament: NiteIze SpokeLit lights. It's eye candy for your wheels. Multiple colors, steady or flashing light; $10 at University Bikes.

4 DIY snow tires
Community Cycles teaches people how to make studded snow tires. It takes an hour or two and requires a drill, pan-head screws, mountain bike tires and presence of mind to not drill through your floor or finger.

Snow tires aren't necessary most of the time. But if you own a pair, you can ride through anything and irritate friends and co-workers with your self-righteousness and statuesque legs.

5 Suffer together
Still unsure?

"Ride in with somebody else," Brown said. "Suffering together is always better than suffering by yourself."

That was sarcasm. Brown has a sense of humor. It's required for riding in snow, rocketing out the winter snot surplus and wearing revealing bike shorts in public (George: "The water was cold..." Jerry: "You mean... shrinkage").