Where are the Confident City Cycling courses?

[GovernorSilver]

Looks like they just updated their Google calendar. I looked two days ago – I just learned to ride 3 weeks ago myself – and didn’t see a thing for June. Now they have one scheduled for June 14 in Arlington. I’ll have to wait for the next one as I’ll have a visitor.

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=hrolrgvj9ckridudaep3tajn6o@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York

[Steve O]

The reason you don’t see as many classes as usual is because the DC government has not yet paid WABA for this year’s classes. Arlington and Alexandria have, so those classes are going forward as usual. However, the total number of classes being offered is down due to the delayed payment from DC. In fact there are instructors already assigned for June 6 and 7 in DC, but they can’t advertise them until they get the DC sponsorship. Seems doubtful that will happen by this weekend, but you could call WABA directly to check.

[elbows]

Once again, an acquaintance of mine has indicated a desire to ride, but a lack of confidence, and I am coming up empty on where to refer her.

The Arlington courses are in the past http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/bike-education/ and the WABA calendar appears to be empty (though I sometimes have browser issues) but does say that they have 1300 people seeking a class.

Thoughts, corrections, or criticisms?

[Steve O]

@elbows 135241 wrote:

Once again, an acquaintance of mine has indicated a desire to ride, but a lack of confidence, and I am coming up empty on where to refer her.

The Arlington courses are in the past http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/bike-education/ and the WABA calendar appears to be empty (though I sometimes have browser issues) but does say that they have 1300 people seeking a class.

Thoughts, corrections, or criticisms?

WABA has not posted their spring schedule yet. Do not despair, for there will be classes. In fact, as I learned at the instructor orientation the other night, they intend to offer more than ever this year. Schedule will probably go up by the end of the month or first week of March.

There are two different types of classes. The waiting list is for the adult Learn to Ride, for people who do not know how to ride at all. For the City Cycling classes there is an interested list, but your friend should be able to get in a class.
Pro-tip: If a class your friend would like to attend fills up on line, he or she should just show up. There are always no-shows, and walk-ups may take the class for free.

Lastly, a number of the certified instructors offer private lessons. On the Adult Education page, click the box for One-on-One Instruction to get more information.

[elbows]

When I signed up for BTWD, I got the below message.
Are you new to bicycling? An experienced commuter? The Washington Area Bicyclist Association offers a full range of bicycle education classes taught by knowledgeable instructors. See WABA’s complete list of classes and schedule online. http://www.waba.org/adult-education/

The site mentions 3 “upcoming” classes all of occur in 2015 and notes that they hope to add indoor classes this winter. Why point people to a site when there are no classes? I don’t mean to be difficult, but I hate to see a squandered opportunity – and I know people who would like to take classes. Some of them end up paying for classes at REI and maybe that’s the solution, but if it is a matter of local governments not paying WABA, is that the issue?

[Steve O]

@elbows 137031 wrote:

When I signed up for BTWD, I got the below message.
Are you new to bicycling? An experienced commuter? The Washington Area Bicyclist Association offers a full range of bicycle education classes taught by knowledgeable instructors. See WABA’s complete list of classes and schedule online. http://www.waba.org/adult-education/

The site mentions 3 “upcoming” classes all of occur in 2015 and notes that they hope to add indoor classes this winter. Why point people to a site when there are no classes? I don’t mean to be difficult, but I hate to see a squandered opportunity – and I know people who would like to take classes. Some of them end up paying for classes at REI and maybe that’s the solution, but if it is a matter of local governments not paying WABA, is that the issue?

I just sent a note to the new education director suggesting he update the site.

I’m probably going rogue here, but this is the list of classes through April that was circulated to instructors a couple of weeks ago. I cannot vouch for whether this list is official or completely accurate.

[class list originally shown here deleted and replaced with following post]

[Steve O]

I received this notification Friday evening

---

Registration is now open for all classes and because you reached out to WABA first, you get a head start to register for the classes. Registration will open to the general public early next week, so take advantage and reserve a spot now!
April

Saturday, April 2nd – Washington, DC (Carter Barron Park)
Sunday, April 3rd – Washington, DC (Carter Barron Park)
Saturday, April 9th – Washington, DC (RFK Stadium parking lot 8A)
Registration in this class includes one admission ticket to the evening’s DC United soccer game
Sunday, April 10th – Arlington, VA (Washington-Lee High School parking garage)
Registration in this class is reserved for Arlington County residents ONLY prior to Friday, April 1st
Saturday, April 16th – Washington, DC (RFK Stadium parking lot 8A)
Registration in this class includes one admission ticket to the evening’s DC United soccer game
Sunday, April 17th – Alexandria, VA (Jones Point Park)
Sunday, April 24th – Alexandria, VA (Jones Point Park)

May

Saturday, May 7th – Alexandria, VA (Jones Point Park)
Sunday, May 8th – Washington, DC (RFK Stadium parking lot 8A)
Registration in this class includes one admission ticket to the evening’s DC United soccer game
Sunday, May 15th – Alexandria, VA (Jones Point Park)
Sunday, May 29th – Washington, DC (Carter Barron Park)

June

Saturday, June 4th – Alexandria, VA (Jones Point Park)
Sunday, June 5th – Arlington, VA (Washington-Lee High School parking garage)
Registration in this class is reserved for Arlington County residents ONLY prior to Friday, May 27th
Sunday, June 19th – Alexandria, VA (Jones Point Park)

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