Bike safety (Photo – bikesgv.org).
One problem with conventional bike lanes is that they raise expectations beyond what they can deliver. Cities all over the country paint stripes on busy streets, and when these lanes attract only a modest increase in bicyclists, city officials conclude there is only limited interest in bicycling.
By Juan Salinas
The honest truth is some of us are terrified of riding on the streets in traffic.
Martha Roskowski, vice president of PeopleForBikes, got it right when she said:
Conventional bike lanes have not worked well to get new people on bikes — they mostly serve those already biking. It’s time to evolve the bike lane.
Although painted bike lanes remind motorists to share the road, they can work well on a two-lane street with light traffic and slow speeds. However, they’re not effective enough for busy streets with fast traffic. We need an extra degree of separation between bicycles and motor vehicles, and that’s where dedicated bike lanes come into play.
Until our historic communities adopt dedicated bike lanes, we need to be extra careful while bicycling and be on top of our game.
Free safe road cycling classes
Bike safety class (Photo – bikesgv.org).
That’s where BikeSGV comes in handy. If you’re looking to improve cycling skills, learn safe cycling techniques, and feel more comfortable riding on city streets, BikeSGV is offering free classes to teach safe road cycling, both in principle and in practice.
The classes will be held in Pasadena and Monrovia, and they’re solely designed for beginning and intermediate level riders (each participant must bring a bicycle in order to participate).*
The 3-hour safety classes will incorporate elements of the Smart Cycling: Traffic Skills 101 curriculum (established by the League of American Bicyclists). They will be taught by local League-Certified Cycling Instructors (LCI) and are structured as follows:
1st hour – In-Class Instruction:
- Rules of the Road, incorporating the California Vehicle Code.
- Basic bicycle safety.
- Bikeway classification.
- Reading maps and planning safe routes of travel.
2nd hour – Parking Lot Skills:
- Participants shall be instructed in bicycle safety inspections.
- Safe road cycling and crash avoidance techniques.
3rd hour – On-Street Bike Ride:
- The final portion of the class consists of a 4-6 mile community ride. Participants will be led on a predetermined route to practice techniques and strategies covered in the first two sessions in real conditions.
Best of all, and upon completion of the class, each participant will receive materials relevant to the topics discussed in the course, including a free bicycle helmet, lights, and Smart Cycling manuals.
Share the good news, and tell your friends (and their friends.) Let’s feel more comfortable riding our bikes in the city.
! The classes’ dates are as follow (you need to sign up as they fill up fast):
Pasadena
- Sat 8/1 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sun 8/2 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sun 8/16 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sat 8/22 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sun 8/23 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sat 9/5 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sun 9/6 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sat 9/19 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sun 9/20 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sat 9/26 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
- Sun 9/27 (9am-12pm) – Pasadena
Click here for the full list of classes, also offered in El Monte, Pacoima, and Culver City).
*This is NOT a “Learn How to Ride a Bike” class. All participants should already know how to ride a bicycle. Space is limited to 24 participants per course on a first come, first serve basis. Must be at least 14 years of age and have a functional bike to participate.
[This article has been updated to include additional class dates – July 20, 2015 1:30 p.m.]
In the article you state, “Until our historic communities adopt dedicated bike lanes, we need to be extra careful while bicycling and be on top of our game.’
I submit that we shall always need to be ‘extra careful and on top of our game’ even if separate facilities are installed.
As a long time instructor, I also submit that allowing 60 minutes per session is a lofty goal and difficult to attain. If you have more than one instructor per course you might achieve the 1 hour window, otherwise, good luck with that/
No amount of bicycle skills and training will prevent a car from running into you from behind, or while you’re in a crosswalk. Until motorists are fined severely for hitting bicyclists, it’s reckless to encourage bicycling on streets. If you don’t agree, ride a bicycle on the streets for a few months, or until a car hits you.