I remember riding in Vietnam during monsoon season. When the rain started, everyone pulled over a few seconds to put on their ponchos and started riding again.
I suspect that we who don't ride regularly are the exception.
Here's a podcast episode of mine of a school principal who wrote his bike to school every day in Alaska, often below 0F http://joshuaspodek.com/guests/jethro-jones. He was pretty fun about it.
Also, clothes dry remarkably quick in a heated office. Many of my colleagues have rain suits, like these: [0]
[0] https://www.google.com/search?q=regenpak&client=firefox-b-d&...
http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/2014/11/its-raining-its-p...
I never stopped cycling to work during the winter, even if it was snowing :) my commute is only 8 minutes though.
I hate wind more than rain and snow tbh.
I bet that's the secret. I just commented comparing the Netherland's climate to Denver and while they are comparable at the end of the day it seem it must be the commute distance that really makes it work in Amsterdam. In this case, you're commute is about as long as it takes me to walk to work after I park my car.
https://peopleforbikes.org/blog/best-kept-secret-dutch-bikin...
edit: (I decided to submit this article: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21399793 )
There are somethings that are a no-go, however, like ice-storms or maybe C-F combinations like night-time + heavy precip + extreme cold. These things can also be no-go for cars-- or should be.
Oh, and I have a child seat and a trailer, so I bring all 3 kids to kindergarden, too. I did get an electric bike to go with the 3. child though.
If someone thinks I’m a die hard environmentalist, idealist or nut job: the bike is cheap and the commute is faster as I don’t have to wait for other cars, the bus to come, etc.
It’s just the best solution for me, hands down, on all fronts.
Normal rain jacket
backpack with a rain cover
And if you really want to stay dry, something like these leg covers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rainlegs-Black-Waterproof-Leg-Prote...