Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
Bike Education Brochure(click here)
Bike Walk Connecticut Bicycle Education Program 2010
Bike Walk Connecticut.
Bike Walk Connecticut is your source for bicycle 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 offer a variety of classes, taught by our League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors (LCIs). Regardless of your skill or experience, we have a class to guide you in becoming a more competent cyclist. For more information contact Beth Emery, biked@bikewalkct.org, 860-522-2217 x227.
Generally we need a minimum of 8 participants per class for each of our classes. Please preregister by mail at least 7 days in advance of the course date. You can download the registration form on the from the Class Schedule page (click here) . We are working on establishing an online registration system. This may take some time, please be patient. Please note that you must bring your own bike and helmet to class with. We cannot supply participants with bikes and helmets at this time.
Traffic Skills 101: This 8 hour class is the League of American Bicyclists' standard bicycle education class. It is best suited to cyclists over age 14 who have recent riding experience. Participants at all skill levels will find this class useful, but we ask that you have these minimum qualifications; be able to ride for a distance of 6-8 miles, have the ability to ride up an easy incline, and be familiar with changing gears on your bike. If you are not at this level, take our Intro to Bikes class (described below.) 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 traffic law as it pertains to bicyclists. The class also covers basics on how to dress for your cycling activity, what equipment you might need, nutrition, and hydration for the longer ride, and bicycle maintenance. At the end of class we will cover flat tire repair for those who do not know how to do this. This class 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. This class is also a perquisite to taking the LCI instructor training class. Cost: $60. or $45. discounted price for Bike Walk CT members.
Intro to Bikes: This 5 hour class is designed for teenagers and adults who are new to biking and are looking for guidance on how to become a more competent, confident, skilled cyclist. We will teach you how to use your bicycles gears more effectively, and teach you the basics of riding in light to moderate motor vehicle traffic. We will cover bike selection, and fit, make sure your helmet is in good condition and fitted properly. The topics of biking to work and school, and route selection will also be covered. This class begins in the classroom, and moves outdoors to a "practice space" and then on to the road for a bike ride. We can answer any questions you have on how to ride your bike safely and confidently in CT. We want you to leave class eager to ride your bike everywhere. Cost: $40. or $30. discounted price for Bike Walk CT members.
Intro to Bikes - Just for Women: This class is the same as Intro to Bikes but is taught by experienced women cyclists with attention paid to the particular needs of women. Cost: $40. Or $30. discounted price for Bike Walk CT members.
Intro to Bikes - Just for Seniors: This class is the same as Intro to Bikes with attention paid to the particular needs of seniors. Cost: $40. or $30. discounted price for Bike Walk CT members.
Intro to Bikes - Just for Teens: This class is the same as Intro to Bikes designed for teens aged 14-16. Cost: $40. or $30. discounted price for Bike Walk CT members.
Intro to Bikes - Just for Youth: This class is designed for children ages10 to 14. The class is approximately 6 hours, and can be taught in a single session or over 2 to 4 sessions. It can be offered as part of summer day camp or vacation camp programming. It is similar to Intro to bikes, but especially crafted for the way children and young adults learn. This class begins in the classroom, and moves outdoors to a "practice space," and with parental permission, dependant on location, and participants abilities we might go for a bike ride on a trail or quite street. Contact us to discuss a location and price.
Parent Class on Biking with Children: Would you like to get your kids out riding on the road with you? Attend this class to learn how you can best guide them to become safe bicyclists. Topics covered include how to perform a bicycle safety check, helmet fitting and bike sizing, riding with your child, and on the road safety. This is a 2 hour indoor class; there is no ride component to this 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.
League Cycling Instructor 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. Certified instructors can teach Bicycle Education classes to children as well as adults and can teach in our Bike Walk Connecticut program. Help bring the joy of safe cycling to others. 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. Bike Walk Connecticut will sponsor at least one LCI Seminar in the state annually. Cost $200.
Bicycle Education: A Workshop for K-12 Physical Education Teachers
This 8-hour class provides participants with highly regarded curriculum that they can take back to their schools and classrooms. This class begins in the classroom, and moves outdoors to a "practice space" and then on to the road for a bike ride. The class is held at Berlin High School where participants learn about the bike education program already underway at this location. Please contact Sandy Fry, sfry@crcog.org, 860-522-2217, x220 if you would like to be notified when the next class is scheduled, or if you would like more information on this special class, currently offered just once a year.
CRCOG Class: Bicycle Safety and Design Workshop for Town Engineers and Planners
CRCOG 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.
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.