Arlington is sponsoring WABA's Confident City Cycling classes, which are being offered for free at a library near you. The next one is this Saturday, May 31, at the Arlington Central Library. (The next and last offered in Arlington is June 28.) From WABA.org:
To be a confident city cyclist, there are many things you need to know. Here are the topics which will be discussed in this FREE class:
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 or truck does? Did you know that you have the same rights that the operator of a car or truck 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 made 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.
You can register online for free at WABA's website; just click the location you want to attend. In case you need further incentive to attend, I'll be there this Saturday at Arlington Central Library. I am sure my adoring fans will want to meet me, so I look forward to seeing all three of you there!
Melissa Esposito is the Car-Sharing and Bike-Sharing Program Coordinator for Arlington County and a Metro/bike commuter.
I'll be there!
Posted by: BeyondDC | May 29, 2008 at 03:26 PM