Winter cyclists and the city of Ottawa are hopeful that more bike-targeted snow removal next winter will increase the falling number of winter bike trips in the capital.

According to Ottawa Public Health, winter temperatures have been plummeting consistently in the city and the number of frostbite warnings and advisories have been rising.

In 2010, the city of Ottawa implemented sensors to track the amount of daily bike trips on various paths throughout the city, particularly in the city’s core. These sensors provide a window into the changes in winter bike traffic.

According to data obtained from the city of Ottawa’s open data catalog, winter bike trips in the capital appear to be dropping — at least on the paths with reliable winter sensors.

Michael Napiorkowski from the Ottawa Bicycle Lanes Project, says the cold may be stopping more bikers, but it’s often more of a psychological barrier than a physical one.

“I rode my bicycle everyday so far this winter… in a simple parka, toque, kakis with long johns and ordinary winter boots. I was never cold,” he says.

Alex deVries, from Citizens for Safe Cycling in Ottawa, says despite the cold temperatures — which are out of anyone’s control — one of the main barriers for winter cyclists in Ottawa is the lack of snow removal.

Though the data above is taken from winter-cleared paths, cyclists still face a lack of snow removal on connecting paths and side streets, he says.

“The city of Ottawa has no policy on clearing bike lanes, they’re usually treated as a place to store snow, so that makes it very difficult for me to find space to bike,” he says.

DeVries says there are certain paths that are extremely viable for commuting in the summer that aren’t available in the winter.

He says the numbers are always going to be lower in the winter than in the summer but that the decrease doesn’t have to be so drastic.

“We do it to ourselves. If we had proper snow removal techniques, it doesn’t matter what the temperature is, we would have much higher participation rates.”

Jeff Leiper, councilor for the Kitchissippi ward in Ottawa, says the city has committed to making it easier for cyclists to continue biking year-round.

“There are definitely gaps in the winter cycling network that are making it tougher for people to make that decision to bike in the winter,” he says.

Which is why — as part of their 2013 cycling plan — the city will begin clearing additional bike paths and lanes throughout the city next winter.

The plan proposes to eventually double the amount of winter-maintained cycling lanes from 21 kilometers to 40.

Next year’s improved winter maintenance will act as trial, and will be an opportunity for the city to see if snow clearing can increase the number of winter cyclists in Ottawa.

“Cycling year-round is a really important part of creating a sustainable city… and those that chose to drive or bus will face less congested roads, which is good for the city overall,” says Leiper.

He says city streets will continue to become more congested as light-rail construction continues, and that clearing more bike paths will allow those who want to brave the cold to do so.

“I hope that even if the winters keep getting colder, that making it easier for people to get from point A to point B by bike is going to encourage more people to do so,” he says.

“When the streets are cleared and you’re dressed properly, it’s actually a great way to get to work.”