Bicycling Seminars for the Workplace
How to safely enjoy cycling to work or for fun

Introduction

This program provides information and experience to people starting in their quest for knowledge and skill in cycling. It enables them to get greater enjoyment out of riding and to feel more confident about their safety while riding.

Based on the popular Canadian Cycling Association course Introduction to Cycling Skills, this hands-on program is for those who occasionally ride their bikes to work or for recreation around town. Its goal is to give new or infrequent cyclists more enjoyment from cycling and greater safety on the road. Includes bicycle care and operation, basic traffic skills, riding techniques, and easy recreational rides

Program Aims

  • To increase participants' enjoyment of bicycling in a variety of riding environments.
  • To improve participants' bicycle handling skills and knowledge of how to ride safely on the road.
  • To improve participants' abilities to keep their bicycles in safe working order.

The program is presented in 10 sessions consisting of two hours of classroom instruction, four hours of on-bike practice and six hours of recreational riding. Sessions may be conducted in a variety of combinations to make the program as flexible as possible to meet the needs of participants. A typical outline involves classroom segments of under 45 minutes, followed by on-bike sessions. Classroom sessions may be conducted during staff lunch hours, special staff development sessions, or after work hours. On-bike sessions may be conducted after work or on weekends.

Program Scope

Program content is basic and designed for beginning or infrequent cyclists (riding fewer than two hours per week). Its goal is to give cyclists the encouragement, confidence and motivation to increase their bicycle use and to seek out more advanced cycling instruction. It also provides information on organized cycling activities in their area and encouragement to continue with cycling education and enjoyment.

Enrollment

1. Classroom segments: 5 - 20 participants.
2. Road segments: maximum 8 per instructor.

Instructor's Basic Resources
1. CAN-BIKE Program: Introduction to Cycling Skills course manual
2. Reference videos
3. John Forester's Effective Cycling manual

Participants' Basic Resources
Handout kit: a collection of information pieces on topics such as buying a bicycle, bicycle inspection, gearing, hazards, and cycling in traffic.

No student can be allowed to do the on-bike portions of this program 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 who are unsure of the condition of their bicycles should take them to a reputable bicycle shop for a tune-up before the program.

Participants must sign a registration form and liability waiver before taking part in the program.

Program Outline

Session 1

Program Introduction Classroom (15 minutes)

  • Registration and program objectives
  • How to buy a bike - what to look for: size, purpose, accessories
  • Cycling opportunities at home and abroad: commuting, clubs, touring
Session 2

How Bicycles Work Classroom (30 minutes)

  • Balance and steering
  • Safety checks
Session 3

Riding Technique Classroom (15 minutes)

  • Riding positions to save your back and arms
  • Pedalling and shifting to save your legs and knees
  • Bicycle fit

 
Session 4

Basic handling skills explained Classroom (15 minutes)

  • Riding straight, turning, braking, shifting gears
Session 5

First Ride and Handling Skills Instruction On-Bike (90 minutes)

  • Ride to practice area
  • Handling skills demonstration and practice
  • Gear shifting and riding standing up

Session 6

Road Riding Classroom (45 minutes)

  • Rules of the road and traffic riding theory
  • Riding with traffic; dealing with cars passing, turning and crossing; passing parked cars; changing lanes; riding intersections safely
  • Group riding
  • Bike path skills
Session 7

Trial Ride and Practice On-Bike (2 hours)

  • Demonstrate and practice group riding
  • Riding local streets safely: two-way, two-lane; two-way, four lane
Session 8

Riding City Streets On-Bike (2 hours)

  • Group ride on typical residential streets and commuting routes
  • Practice traffic riding techniques
Session 9

Riding In and Around Town On-Bike (2 hours or more)

  • Group ride through town to near-by out-of-town destination
  • Highway cycling tips
Session 10

New Cycling Horizons On-Bike (2 hours or more)

  • Group ride to near-by destination
  • Recreational ride and program wrap-up
 

Optional Video Presentation Classroom (45 minutes)

  • Effective Cycling
  • Note: Sessions 5, 7 and 8 may be split and conducted over several lunch hours.
  • All on-bike sessions must be concluded during daylight hours.

 

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