Bicycle Education Program:
Course Descriptions
Bike Walk Connecticut is your source for bicycle skills training and education. We believe that simply knowing how to ride a bike is not the same as knowing how to operate a bike safely, confidently, and legally. Thus we promote a variety of classes taught by League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructors (LCIs). Regardless of skill or experience level, we have a class for you.
Traffic Skills 101: This 8-10 hour class is the national League of American Bicyclists' standard bicycle education class. It is best suited to cyclists older than age 14 that have recent riding experience. Participants at all skill levels will find this class useful, but we ask that you have some minimum qualifications, including: the ability to bike at least 6-8 miles; the ability to bike up an easy incline; and familiarity with gears. Traffic Skills 101 is a fast paced class that covers bike handling skills; crash avoidance techniques; proper lane and intersection positioning in moderate to heavy traffic; and CT law governing bicycles on roadways. The class also covers basics on how to dress for your cycling activity, what equipment you might need, nutrition, hydration for the longer ride, and basic bicycle maintenance. The course begins in the classroom, and moves outdoors to a "practice space" and then on to the road for a bike ride. It can be taught in a single session or in 2 to 3 sessions. Fees typically run $60-$100. This class is also a prerequisite to taking the LCI Seminar.
League Cycling Instructor (LCI) Seminar: The Seminar is held over a weekend, starting on a Friday at 5:00 and ending on Sunday at 5:00 with approximately 24 hours of training. Bike Walk Connecticut is dedicated to training more cycling education instructors in the state. Becoming a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certified to teach Bicycle Education is a great way to help cyclists in your community, and make some bike bucks to boot! If you are an experienced cyclist and would like to teach others, please consider taking the next step towards certification. Traffic Skills 101 is a prerequisite for a certification seminar. Seminars offered regionally. Contact League of American Bicyclists at: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/
CRCOG Class: Bicycle Safety and Design Workshop for Town Engineers and Planners Capitol Region Council of Governments has developed a 4-hour workshop on bicycle safety and infrastructure. With in class and on bike instruction, this class helps planners and engineers to look at roadway infrastructure from the point of view of a bicyclist. Go to http://www.crcog.org/transportation/bicycle/bp_edu.html for more information.
Bicycle Education: Train the Trainers This 8-hour class is geared to educators and other professionals that routinely come into contact with children and/or the cycling public, and provides participants with training and materials so they may effectively transfer bike knowledge and skills to individuals in their communities. This class begins in the classroom, and moves outdoors to a "practice space" and then on to the road for a bike ride. TS 101 a prerequisite. Contact gyaindl@bikewalkct.org. Fees based on class size.
Classes for Your Group: We can design a class to meet the needs of your group - be it a Bike Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, environmental group, church youth groups, book club! If you can gather a group that is interested in learning bicycle skills and bicycle safety, we can provide a class! Contact us to discuss a location and price.
Introduction to Bicycle Commuting: Gather your work colleagues, gym buddies and friends and learn how to get started with bike commuting. This indoor class is designed as a one-hour session to be held at a place of employment, recreation center, church, local library, gym or place of your choosing. Learn about equipment, route choice, what to bring, what to wear, safety, and traffic laws as they pertain to cycling. Contact us to discuss a location and price.
Why Bicycle Education?
Biking is great fun. Cycling also helps to address ills like traffic congestion, air pollution, and childhood inactivity while providing numerous health, economic, and social benefits. Would you like to ride more but feel you lack the skills and confidence to share the road with motor vehicle traffic? We believe that simply knowing how to ride a bike is not the same as knowing how to operate a bike safely, confidently, and legally. Our classes will teach you how to safely "drive" your bicycle on roads, bike lanes, and shared use multi-purpose trails and will improve your bike riding and handling skills.
Soon you will be bicycling everywhere!
Our Bicycling Education Program and Instructors:
The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) and Bike Walk, Connecticut (formerly the Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance) initiated a Central Connecticut Bicycle Education Program in 2008. Through a generous grant from Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI) the program trained a cadre of more than 20 Connecticut based cycling instructors. These instructors are certified by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) to teach the League curriculum. In 2010, CRCOG was awarded a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grant to expand the CT Bicycle education program.
To locate an LCI in your community, contact http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/, and click on "Locate Courses or Instructors in my state"
Questions? Contact Sandy Fry at sfry@crcog.org.
