Winter biking a growing trend in Saskatoon: Bike Co-op

It's the time of year whenpeople put winter tires on their cars, but what about their bikes?

The Bridge City Bike Co-op says it'sseeing growth in the number of people who bike to work, even in the winter.

"A lot of people are just more interested in having a more active lifestyle," said Patrick Schmidt, a board member at the co-op.

"I think the growth that Saskatoon's experienced, we're getting a lot of people coming from a lot of different places where they're used to biking more, so I think that's also had an influence on cycling in Saskatoon."

So, the bike co-op had a tire-swapping party on the weekendand people from around Saskatoon popped in to have studded winter tires put on.

Michelle Liota was one of them.She's been a winter cyclist for 20 years.

"Parking is ridiculous, the roads are bad. I've had to get a tow truck to get towed out of a parking spot on a side road," she said of driving her car in winter. "I'd rather be on my bike," she said.

Liota added that it can be a cold ride, sodressing for the weather is an important part of winter biking.

YoungsterIsabel Wendzina agrees. She said she wears a winter jacket, ski pants, boots and goggles to bike to school.

Her dad Micheal Wendzina said she bikes five kilometres everyday to school and back and it is the primary mode of transportation for his family.