[razeh]

I live in a walkable inner ring Chicago suburb, and commute to work by bike or the El. Snow cleanup is excellent in our suburb, and we can get to things we want to drive to in bad weather on roads where the speed limit is never over 25 mph. We just don’t need winter tires.

[clnq]

Very interesting how different the approach is. Many European countries mandate Winter tyres for a period each year, even if they do not get much snow - https://www.uniroyal-tyres.com/car/tyre-guide/winter-care/wi.... The mindset is more that if there could be snow, drivers must use Winter tyres, even when road clean-up and salting are used.

Many countries here that do not mandate Winter tyres for the whole season still mandate tyres appropriate for driving conditions, which reads a lot like a requirement to use Winter, studded, or chained tyres in snow. Most countries like that also recommend Winter tyres.

It's a very different approach from having many people not use Winter tyres in snow. I think this explains the fear of driving in snow to me. I would be very concerned if I had to drive in snow with Summer tyres as well.