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> The majority of population centers are outside of regions with that kind of low temperatures.

Do NYC, Boston, and Chicago not count? As well as all the other people who live in similar latitudes? There are also a large number of areas where it's too hot to safely rely on bikes for transportation without risking heatstroke in vulnerable populations. If anything, areas like San Francisco are outliers in terms of being good for cycling.

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It gets to 0F in NYC for... maybe 4-5 days a year, tops (most years never). Same with Boston and Chicago. If it gets that cold it's big news (yes, I've lived or spent time in all three). You're talking about like, one week in January that makes it unbearable, which is what busses, subways and the like are for.

That's just not true. Chicago gets a week straight of 0F every single year. Sometimes close to a month straight.

Chicago is miserable in the winter even at 40°F. The cold, humid wind cuts through almost any clothing.

My brother-in-law specifically bought a car for Chicago winters after attempting to bike his way through one.

I grew up even further north and we biked all year round without a problem. Just dress appropriately (base layers are your friend).

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