I remember biking everywhere as a teenager and I would fall down a few times each winter . I also broke a department store bike each year beyond reasonable repair . Now that I bike everywhere as an adult , I avoid falling down as much as possible . I also try to be predictable and quick when dealing with cars on the road , so I avoid needing to do long sweeping turns through intersections . A studded tire helps me turn quickly without needing to avoid road hazards instead of cars . In the winter I like one studded tire on the front , a thick torquey one to stabilize my whole bike , and a 2 road slick on the back . During blizzards , I stick a narrower 1 studded tire on the back and I can get up any unplowed hill in Minneapolis .