CAN-BIKE Skills I Course Learn to ride safely and confidently in traffic. Course covers bicycle care, minor repairs, riding techniques, detecting and avoiding hazards, and emergency maneuvers. Combination of classroom and on-bike instruction. Essential skills for the recreational or commuting cyclist. For ages 14 and older.  Introduction This course provides bicycle information and cycling experience to those people starting in their quest for knowledge and skill in cycling. This is an basic course for occasional cyclists who usually ride on residential streets or bicycle paths. The course covers essential traffic-handling skills in low-traffic-volume neighbourhoods.  Course Aims The goals of this course are: To help people enjoy cycling more. To encourage people to cycle regularly, both as individuals and in groups. To develop safe, confident cycling skills in participants. To provide practical and basic information about cycling and bicycle equipment. To inform people about the possibilities for their future involvement in cycling. The course is designed in eight two-hour sessions. About 60 percent of the time will be spent in the classroom and 40 percent on the road, with classroom time decreasing and road time increasing as the course progresses. Other time frames may be considered, such as weekend workshops or shorter courses. The basic 60/40 balance of classroom-to-road time should be maintained, however.  Course Scope Course content is basic and designed for beginners and occasional cyclists. While touching on many aspects of cycling from maintenance to touring to Effective Cycling Techniques (Forester, John, Effective Cycling, MIT Press, 1983), it does not cover any of these topics in depth. Upon completion of the course, participants should feel confident enough to ride regularly and safely for utilitarian and recreational purposes. They will also have information on organized cycling activities in their area and be encouraged to continue with their cycling education and enjoyment.  Course Outline The general course outline is presented below. Time allotments and emphasis will vary from course to course depending on the leader and the participants. However, the basic balance between the road and class time will be maintained. See the Skills II course outline for more information (Skills I participants cover most of the introductory sessions of Skills II, except for advanced arterials, highway riding, and testing requirements). Class 1 Introduction Choosing and fitting a bicycle Parts of the bicycle Bicycle safety inspection Cleaning and lubricating a bicycle Class 2 Bicycle safety inspection (practice) Traffic principles Group riding Introductory ride Class 3 Gearing Traffic technique - right turns and straight through (theory and practice).  Class 4  Flat tire repair Traffic technique - review and left turns on two-way streets (theory and practice) Wet and cold or hot and dry weather Lights and reflectors Helmets Class 5 Traffic technique review Hazard awareness (all but car-bike collisions) First tour Class 6 Hazard awareness (car-bike) Emergency maneuvers (theory and parking lot practice) Taking the kids along Touring Class 7 Traffic technique review  Lane changing  Overview of cycling activities in the area (clubs, etc.)  Second tour Class 8 Special tour  Individual programming (optional)   Participant requirements Bicycle in good working condition with a bell or horn, lock, approved bicycle helmet, lunch or lunch money.  A list of suggestions is sent to participants when they register.  Participants should feel comfortable riding their bicycles on city streets before enrolling. A bicycle in safe operating condition. Bicycle helmet. A waiver must be signed before riding in the course. No student can be allowed to do the on-bike portions of this course (or any CAN-BIKE course) on an obviously unsafe bicycle - defective brakes, steering, headsets or loose assembly of seat or handlebars - as the safety of the entire group is at risk as well as the safety of that student. Participants must sign a registration form and liability waiver before taking part in the course.  Enrollment Classroom segments 5 - 16 participants. Road segments 5 - 8 per instructor. Instructors Nationally certified CAN-BIKE instructors, all experienced cyclists, teach all courses.  Classroom requirements: Blackboard and chalk, TV/VCR, Overhead projector  For more information: Borealis Outdoor Adventure 3120 8th Street East #106-305 Saskatoon, SK S7H 0W2 Phone: (306) 343-6399 or 1-800-463-6399 CAN-BIKE Hotline Phone: (306) 978-BIKE (978-2453) or Toll-Free: 1-888-CAN-BIKE (1-888-226-2453) Return to CAN-BIKE index page

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