Are you thinking about getting on a bike for the first time? Maybe you haven’t ridden for years but want to get back into the habit. Or, maybe you’re a parent who wants to help your children form good bike safety habits.
Sustainable Streets, in partnership with the Santa Monica Bike Center, announced Wednesday the menu of classes they will offer in 2015, including a course bike maintenance,a children’s bike safety class, and an adult learn-to-ride class.
“We have seen a steady increase in participation for Adult Learn to Ride and Bike Maintenance classes in particular and we appreciate the support for all of our bike education programs from the Bike Center,” Ron Durgin, executive director of Sustainable Streets and the general manager of the Bike Center, said in press release issued Wednesday.
According to the Sustainable Streets website, the classes are as follows:
- Raising Smart Cyclists: “a family style bike education program for children up to age 10 and their parents.”
- Confident City Cycling: a comprehensive course that “builds your personal confidence for riding a bicycle on city streets” through education of the rules of the road, pre-ride bike safety checks, and other useful — and potentially life-saving — knowledge.
- Adult Learn to Ride: a “practical hands-on learn to ride class for adults age 18 and up.”
- Bike Maintenance: a course which teaches “a broad understanding of bicycles and learn how to adjust components for optimum performance.”
The increased demand for classes has led Sustainable Streets and the Bike Center to add classes this year, according to the release.
The additions include a mid-week bike maintenance class, to complement the weekend series. “Also on the horizon is an intermediate level riding skills class, Ready to Ride, to help Adult Learn to Ride graduates make an easier transition into the more advanced Confident City Cycling course,” according to the release.
While Santa Monica’s Bike Action Plan [PDF] — adopted in November 2011 — lays the groundwork for an expanding network of bike lanes, sharerows, and other bike infrastructure, it also calls for education programs to help encourage more cycling.
“Bike education programs give people the skills, knowledge and understanding to feel comfortable on and along-side a bicycle. Handling skills and knowing how to share the road safely with other road users reduces risk for everyone. With knowledge comes a level of comfort and familiarity that makes bicycling fun. Education also motivates people by explaining the many personal and community benefits of bicycling,” the Plan reads.
Class information and registration is available at sustainablestreets.org/education or those interested can visit the Santa Monica Bike Center at Second Street and Colorado Avenue in Downtown Santa Monica to speak with a customer service representative.
