Cyclist Education

This topic has 25 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 6 months ago by Mark Blacknell.

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November 1, 2011 at 4:45 pm #931868

ronwalf
Participant

@Mark Blacknell 10038 wrote:

So – what could make *you* think that a class would be worth your time? Taken a class and been disappointed by it? Taken a class and been impressed by it? I’ve got my own answers to these questions, but I’d like to hear from others, first. I’m speaking of both classroom and street instruction, fwiw.

I took a short tutorial on slow maneuvering at UMCP. It was fun, free, and convenient.

November 1, 2011 at 6:23 pm #931869

OneEighth
Participant

I just follow Dirt around.

November 1, 2011 at 8:30 pm #931875

invisiblehand
Participant

@Mark Blacknell 10038 wrote:

Been thinking about cyclist education, lately, and some challenges in delivering it. It’s been observed that lots of us say we are in favor of it, but when it comes to actually taking a class, it turns out that we really meant that we were in favor of cyclist education *other* people. While that sounds like a phenomenon that extends beyond cycling, I wonder if there’s a way to better sell the benefits of it.

So – what could make *you* think that a class would be worth your time? Taken a class and been disappointed by it? Taken a class and been impressed by it? I’ve got my own answers to these questions, but I’d like to hear from others, first. I’m speaking of both classroom and street instruction, fwiw.

I think a hands-on class about panic braking — i.e., braking in the shortest distance possible — would be worthwhile. For what its worth, my guess is that if you have never practiced it, you probably suck at it … something that is generally true about (almost) everything. Presumably such a class would include practice setting up various brakes as well.

November 2, 2011 at 10:57 am #931887

acc
Participant

I am barely beyond the novice level and therefore my needs were, and to a certain extent still are, focused on two areas:

1. Traffic Skills
Riding in traffic was not something I wanted to learn on my own, through trial and error. It is one thing to look at pictures in manuals and read about the theory of riding on busy streets, it is another thing entirely to go out there during rush hour and try to keep my wits about me when Metro buses roll by inches off my shoulder as I try to figure out where exactly to position myself at intersections. I was fortunate to find a class that involved putting a group of us out on the road with a certain amount of “adult supervision.” That was very helpful.

2. Basic Bike Mechanics
I truly mean basic, starting with how to adjust the saddle, inflate tires, adjust a helmet to fit correctly. And then I want to know how to do basic maintenance on my bike. Teach me how to change a flat, clean my chain, take my front wheel on and off safely. I just want to know the basics, how to be responsible and safe. Honest to god, I have no interest in building a bike in my basement….

3.And the Most Obvious…
I should have put this down first but it was quickly learned and I stopped thinking about it until now. When I left the bike shop I had a bike, a helmet, and a pair of bike shorts. That’s it. Somehow along the way I learned all about the other pieces that are absolutely necessary but are not intuitively obvious unless you know someone who bikes. I needed eyewear, and a jersey, and a pump, and a emergency pack, and water cages and water bottles, and gloves, and ID. And then when winter came I needed a whole new set of clothing and gadgets and gizmos to stay warm. As time went by I “needed” toys like a Garmin and the much-hated chest strap. These seem so obvious but they aren’t if you’ve never ridden a bike for fitness before. Some of this was covered in the classes I took, some I just learned by watching what other people did.

Well, now you’ve no doubt heard far more than you ever wanted. But thank you for asking.

ann

November 2, 2011 at 11:40 am #931888

Arlingtonrider
Participant

Also from a relative novice, all of Ann’s list, plus: How to make your bike useful for everyday life – racks, trailers and other good ways of carrying things. How to stay comfortable and safe riding in different weather conditions (including tire selection based on type of riding, braking skills and effect of rain on brakes, layering clothing etc.) and at night (appropriate lighting and use of it and reflective items), logistical tips for commuting ( e.g., using baby wipes if showers unavailable, taking mix and match clothes in once a month or so by car), how to lock a bike properly and in good places (including not to trees), info on National Bike Registry, trail etiquette such as calling passes or using bells and also using a bell when approaching a narrow tunnel or a sharp blind turns. How to shift and make best use of it and cadence in everyday riding. Some of my favorite discoveries when I started out (not very long ago) – learning that riding with one pannier doesn’t make you tip over (thanks Joe , and being amazed at how easy it was to carry somewhat weighty items when i needed to – at least on the flats. And speaking of flats . . .what kinds and sizes of tires are least prone to get them. (My 1998 tires lasted until 2011 without a flat, but some beginners/potential cyclists worry that they will have to think about that constantly.)

November 2, 2011 at 12:00 pm #931889

OneEighth
Participant

You know, WABA could leverage some of the more experienced forum members to put on a series of commuter cycling classes. Once the class is available, you might want to use opportunities like when you hand out lights on the trail to advertise—though I think you’d find a more target-rich environment in the Spring.

November 2, 2011 at 1:06 pm #931897

JustinW
Participant

Combine the educational bits with a social component and you’ll get a lot of traction. Some folks rebel at the thought of “education” alone, but if you toss in some fun stuff they’ll go for it. Based on forum communications, involved bikers (who could help lead educational efforts) seem pretty social as well.

A general problem with functional education is that the ones who partake are often those who are more engaged and open, and in some ways they need the education less than others. The ones who either can’t be bothered, are unaware of the educational opportunities, or who “know enough already” are the ones in need of education. This is similar to what happens with so-called continuing education or professional education. You end up teaching to the choir and not reaching those that can *really* use the info.

All of this is to say that mixing info and fun may extend the reach and get to audiences that otherwise might not participate.

November 2, 2011 at 3:11 pm #931910

baiskeli
Participant

Idea: Call it a “forum” or “summit” or whatever and pretend like you’re asking for cyclists’ opinions, then sneak the education on them. Only way to get an opinionated, egotistical bunch like us to listen.

November 2, 2011 at 3:50 pm #931914

acc
Participant

@JustinW 10071 wrote:

Combine the educational bits with a social component and you’ll get a lot of traction. Some folks rebel at the thought of “education” alone, but if you toss in some fun stuff they’ll go for it. Based on forum communications, involved bikers (who could help lead educational efforts) seem pretty social as well.

In other words, work the phrase “Beer and Bikes” into the title and attendance will soar. And I mean that in a positive, cheerful, sparkly way. But yes, straight preaching works for people like me who are rank novices but moving up the food chain it becomes more about the way the message is delivered colleague to colleague.

ann

November 2, 2011 at 3:55 pm #931916

eminva
Participant

I started bicycle commuting seven years ago. At the time, I didn’t know about WABA or Confident City Cycling classes, so I just got a neighbor to teach me the ins and outs. By the time I learned about the WABA classes I was something of an old hand so I didn’t think I needed it. When CCrew told us he signed up for one earlier this year, I started to think that maybe I COULD learn something from the class. It may be a function of marketing — if you adapt the same/similar class to experienced commuters and give it a different name, you might reach a broader audience and we all might learn something new.

Some things I’d like to see in an Advanced Commuting Class: biking in heavy traffic, biking on major suburban commuter arteries (e.g., Rte. 123, Rockville Pike), MUT etiquette, bike handling at slow speeds and best ways to carry various cargoes.

As far as bike maintenance instruction, I agree with everything stated so far. We have a huge range of technical skills in this forum, so I’ll speak to the needs of the beginner. I think the classes at the bike shops are good as far as they go, but there is only so much you can learn in an hour or three. I have heard about the Park Tool School and it sounds interesting because it meets once a week for several weeks and you are working on the bike. I am actually thinking of going to one of the intensive one or two week courses that are offered (there are a couple of schools I am aware of — both out west) because for convenience sake, we seem to need a skilled mechanic in our family of three cyclists, especially as we consider riding the GAP and C&O next summer with our son.

Another gap in “instruction” is how to select a bike. I was in the market for a commuting bike when I started seven years ago and then three years ago when the first bike got stolen. It was interesting to go to bike shops but a bit overwhelming and intimidating. I did not have this forum to ask advice. And I think some of the sales people I spoke with, though well meaning, were about to steer me in the wrong direction. If we had some kind of bike expo in DC every year or two, where all the bike shops could bring their wares to a convention center and novice cyclists and commuters could explore the universe in one fell swoop, it would be great. Bike Arlington and WABA could have an “ask the experts” table where some of the more knowledgeable people here could give advice on not just bike selection, but all sorts of topics, including those mentioned above as well as commuting routes, etc.

Oh, and give out free stuff — water bottles, buttons, etc. — I’d be hard pressed to come up with a group that loves free stuff as much as cyclists! :rolleyes:

Thanks.

Liz

November 2, 2011 at 3:57 pm #931918

chris_s
Participant

@invisiblehand 10047 wrote:

I think a hands-on class about panic braking — i.e., braking in the shortest distance possible — would be worthwhile. For what its worth, my guess is that if you have never practiced it, you probably suck at it … something that is generally true about (almost) everything.

Confident City Cycling 2 covers panic braking as well as emergency turns and rock dodging. That class rocked my world. CCC1 is really, really basic – waste of my time unfortunately – but that’s mostly my fault for not reading the course description carefully.

November 2, 2011 at 4:05 pm #931921

chris_s
Participant

@acc 10088 wrote:

In other words, work the phrase “Beer and Bikes” into the title and attendance will soar.

This is genius. Seriously, maybe something like Cafe Scientifique?

November 2, 2011 at 4:59 pm #931923

JimF22003
Participant

How about info on how to select a good route? What makes a route safe vs. non-safe? Tradeoffs of time vs. distance. Using Google Maps or another tool. When to take the MUP vs. going cross-country through the neighborhoods…

November 2, 2011 at 5:44 pm #931926

baiskeli
Participant

@acc 10088 wrote:

In other words, work the phrase “Beer and Bikes” into the title and attendance will soar.

Okay, solution found!

November 2, 2011 at 6:26 pm #931929

Terpfan
Participant

An open-house type day where people can listen in to different explanations/lessons at different tents. Eg how to change a tire/chains/etc here. How to break on slick pavement over here. Common rules of the road to follow, over here. And yah, beer would increase turnout.
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