Do you enjoy riding a bike on Arlington's trails, but haven't felt as confident riding on streets? We have the right class for you! BikeArlington and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association have teamed-up to offer FREE Confident City Cycling classes, the first offering is tomorrow, April 5. The class is only three hours and course topics include:
- Rules of the Road: Knowing is half the battle! Did you know that you have to adhere to the same rules of the road as a car does? Did you know that you have the same rights that the operator of a car does? Well its true, you do. Our course offers some great tips and tricks for safely and legally using our roadways.
- Avoiding the Common Causes of Crashes: Believe it or not, most crashes are avoidable. Learn what to do if a car turns suddenly in front of you, if you have to stop suddenly, what to do to avoid the dreaded car door and much more!
- Lane Positioning: Do you ever feel like cars are passing you too closely or running you into the gutter? Learn proper lane positioning to encourage drivers to pass you at a safe distance. Also learn how to safely cross lanes of traffic in order to make turns or avoid obstacles in the road.
- Improving Pedaling Efficiency: Bicycling shouldn’t be backbreaking work! The bicycle is one of the most efficient inventions of all time, make the most of it! Learn how to shift gears in anticipation of a hill, achieve a good cadence, and minimize the wear and tear on your knees.
- Useful Accessory Equipment: We all know you need a helmet, but learn some other helpful and handy equipment to make your ride more enjoyable.
- Basic Bike Maintenance and Repair: Everyone who rides a bike should know some basic repair and maintenance skills. Learn how to change a flat tire and other emergency repair tips.
The classes we're offering this spring in Arlington are below. If you've been wanting to become a safer and more confident cyclist, this is the class for you.
April
5: 1 - 4 pm, Shirlington Library
April 26: 1 - 4 pm, Walter Reed Community Center
May 24: 1 - 4 pm, Aurora Hills Community Center
May 31: 1 - 4 pm, Arlington Central Library
June 28: 1 - 4 pm, Fairlington Community Center
For more information, visit the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's Website. To register, click on the date from above that works best for you. Classes fill-up, so register soon to ensure your seat.
My husband and I took this class last year and it really did give me quite a bit of confidence. I learned how to hold the lane and navigate the streets safely. Arlington is very bike-friendly anyway, and the class taught me how to handle various situations. I highly recommend it!
Posted by: Diana Sun | April 04, 2008 at 05:44 PM