Let’s Ride Bikes – Arlington Classes:

[Steve O]

@Judd 140788 wrote:

With hundreds on the waiting list, what’s the barrier to offering more classes?

Classes are subsidized by jurisdictions. Arlington, for instance, pays WABA to offer the classes for either free or a nominal charge. Likewise with Alexandria and DC and, to a lesser degree, MoCo. Classes are limited, therefore, by jurisdictional budgets.

This year, for the first time, WABA is offering hybrid classes in which students pay the full cost or can qualify for a “scholarship.” This has allowed us to offer more Learn to Ride classes than in the past. The major constraints now are managerial (WABA has limited staff to organize the classes, and logistics) and there is a limited supply of Certified Instructors.

That said, I have daydreamed about organizing a “Learn to Ride” day in which WABA in the DC area sets the Guinness Book of World Records record for teaching the most people to ride a bike in a single day. The waiting list is now up over 1000, so we have a pretty big pool from which to draw.

REI offers learn to ride classes for both kids and adults and the National Park Service offers Learn to Ride for kids, too. DC has introduced curriculum to teach all 2nd graders to ride a bike (hooray!)

[Judd]

Thanks Steve O. I was able to find the link on the WABA site to express interest in being an instructor and provided my info. I couldn’t discern from the site if a 2016 instructor class had occurred yet.

I’m also curious what costs WABA incurs with administering the program other than staff time.

It seems unfortunate that so many are interested in the program and presumably willing to pay for it and we are unable to meet the demand. Perhaps I can start the Judd Lumberjack school of biking.

Is there anything else that I can do to help other than expressing interest in being an instructor?

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