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With more cyclists on the roads than ever, the need for cyclist education
is more significant than ever. From elementary school children and
police to commuters, racers and weekend warriors, riding in a dangerous
and unpredictable manner can result in unnecessary harm to cyclists,
motorists and pedestrians. The following includes a list of national
and regional education programs throughout the United States, as well
as a national database of certified cycling instructors and information
for community leaders about bicycling. We don't expect motorists to
'know' how to drive nor can we expect cyclists to simply 'know' how
to operate on the roads and trails.
League of American Bicyclists Effective Cycling program
League of American Bicyclists, 1612 K St, NW, Ste 401, Washington,
DC 20006
Ph: 202-822-1333, E-mail: Bikeleague@bikeleague.org,
www.bikeleague.org
The Effective Cycling (EC) program has been in use since the 1970's.
It includes courses for elementary school children up through adults.
Kids I, Kids II, Road I, Road II, Commuting and Motorist Ed are the
courses currently offered.
The intended audience for EC Kids I is K through third graders with
parents. It is designed for parent's who are typically the child's
first educator. It stresses helmet use, riding straight, riding with
traffic and looking and stopping before turning. It also examines
the most common cause of children's bicycle accidents. Kids I also
includes a viewing of 'A Kids Eye View' video and a safety brochure
used during teaching. Class time is from one to three hours.
EC Kids II is intended for grades 4 and 5. This 8 hour course includes
proper helmet fit, emergency maneuvers, traffic sign identification,
bike fit, safety check and left turns. There is on-bike as well as
classroom teaching. Students learn to identify safe places to ride.
There is also a pre- and post-test for the students.
The EC Road I, Road II and Commuting courses are designed for children
as young as 12 with parental permission up through adults. These courses
cover how to legally, safely and efficiently use bicycles for transportation
and recreation. Road I is a nine hour course and is the prerequisite
for EC Instructor training. It includes a pre-test as well as a post-test
and road test. Road I covers bicycle fit and maintenance, emergency
maneuvers, proper helmet fit, hand signals, straight line riding,
left turns in traffic, principles of traffic law, understanding and
demonstrating proper roadway positioning and on-road repairs. Road
II builds on the knowledge gained in Road I. It includes more routine
bike maintenance as well as advanced group-riding techniques and training.
The commuting class provides support for beginning commuters as well
as incentive for future commuters. It includes nutrition, hygiene,
comfort, riding at night with lights and dealing with various weather
situations.
National Center for Bicycling and Walking Basics of Bicycling
National Center for Bicycling and Walking, 1506 21st St, Ste 200,
Washington, DC 20036 Ph: 202-463-6622, www.bikefed.org
Basics of Bicycling is a 7 lesson safety course for fourth and fifth grade students. The Basics of Bicycling package includes instructor manual, 50 minute videotape and binder with seven lessons. Five of the seven lessons are on-bike training. Topics include use of bicycle helmets, bike fit and bike safety check, knowledge of traffic laws and signage, identification of dangerous roadway situations, signaling and bike handling skills. The on-bike sessions are designed for playground with simulated roadway situations.
Safe Moves
Pat Hines, Executive Director, 15500 Erwin St #1121, Van Nuys, CA 91411
Ph: 818-908-5341
Safe Moves includes education of parents, children and the community on bicycle, pedestrian, motor vehicle, train, bus and recreational safety. Safe Moves incorporates Traffic Safety Simulation Training that are designed to educate participants in a rodeo style event with each person getting personal attention from the instructor. The bicycle curriculum consists of helmet use, bike fit and maintenance, bicycle laws, cycling clothing, use of bicycle facilities and avoiding common bicycle crashes. Safe Moves has been designed for children as well as adults.
Seidler Productions Elementary Traffic Education Program
Robert Seidler, Seidler Productions, 191 Pine Lane, Crawfordville,
FL, 32327
Ph: 850-925-6331, E-mail: seidlercine@worldnet.att.net
This program provides the opportunity for children in grades K through
five to learn about how to safely and competently navigate traffic
as a bicyclists or pedestrian. Each level includes a video as well
as a teaching guide. The program is designed to be used sequentially
but can be used alone or in combination with other levels. The program
is designed around a health or physical education area of the curriculum.
Each class starts with a physical activity and includes part of a
video with discussion encouraged at different points throughout the
video. Teachers are required to complete a two-day training curriculum
with on-bike training included. Nevada, Montana and Florida are currently
using this program statewide. Contact Linda Crider in Florida at lbcrider@aol.com
or 352.392.8192 or Bruce Mackey in Nevada at suncyctour@aol.com or
702.687.5720.
Oregon's Bicycle Safety and Awareness Program, Bicycle Transportation
Alliance
Scott Bricker, BTA, PO Box 9072, Portland, OR 97207, 503-226-0676,
info@BTA4bikes.org , www.BTA4bikes.org
The Bicycle Safety and Awareness Program is a comprehensive curriculum
that teaches traffic savvy through classroom activities and on-the-bike
practice. Students learn to be predictable cyclists that follow traffic
rules and regulations. This ten-hour curriculum is split into four
hours of in-class and six hours of on-the-bike instruction. Classroom
lessons include a video, instruction covering bike laws and hazards,
helmets, bike gear, and other equipment. The on-bike lessons start
with bike handling skills, progress to right-of-way and intersection
practice and finish with two community rides.
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance teaches the program in communities
across Oregon. The BTA provides a trained instructor, a fleet of 25
bikes, hundreds of helmets, brochures and pamphlets, safety vests,
videos, and other equipment essential for implementation. The BTA
also coordinates the program logistics, assists with volunteer coordination,
fundraising, and training for classroom teachers.
In addition to teaching safety, the program facilitates increases
in youth bicycle ridership. The BTA works with schools to improve
their on-site bicycle facilities, such as bike racks, and promote
cycling at the school. The BTA educates teachers and the school administration
to become more bicycle friendly. So far, student ridership averages
over 10% in the classes that we teach during the final days of the
program.
In 2001, the program will reach approximately 6,000 children. The
program is taught in 5th and 6th grade classrooms, teaching a wide
array of curriculum benchmarks that are mandated by the state of Oregon.
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance will work with organizations in
any state in the U.S. to adopt the effective and exciting program.
Please contact us.
Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program
Linda Crider, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University
of Florida, PO Box 115706, Gainesville, FL 32611 Ph: 352-392-8192,
E-mail: lcrider@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
Shortened from the Seidler program, Florida's program uses certified
League of American Bicyclists certified Effective Cycling instructors.
Pedestrian safety is the focus for grades K through second. Grades
three through five receive bicycle safety training. This program provides
all necessary equipment for the on bike and pedestrian sessions including
bikes and helmets, roadway signage, car and truck props, videos, teacher's
manual and curriculum materials. The program for teachers requires
10 hours of training to teach three to five hours of classroom sessions
per year.
Pedal Power Camp, Basics of Safe Bicycling, Pedal Programs curriculum
Cynthia McArthur, Project Director, Center for 4H Youth Development,
University of Minnesota Extension Service, 340 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles
Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
Ph: 612-625-9719, E-mail: cmcarthur@extension.umn.edu
Camp setting of Pedal Power lends itself towards active learning in
an informal setting. The eleven to seventeen year olds learn bicycle
maintenance, touring and safe cycling from commuters, police officers,
professional bike mechanics and trip leaders. Riding skills are imparted
through daily bike rides and longer bike rides throughout the week.
Camp counselors encourage community leadership roles which include
community based research, helmet fit workshops and designing fundraisers.
Basics of Safe Bicycling includes a brief classroom session before
a two hour road ride to focus on learning safe bicycling skills. Students
learn the three E's of bicycle safety: engineering, enforcement and
education. Bicycle facilities are explained in the engineering component
while enforcement includes a review of Minnesota state law as it applies
to cyclists. Education is completed through the lengthy riding component
which imparts safe cycling issues and includes a bicycle safety check
and riding behavior.
Pedal Programs provides a multitude of resources for anyone wishing
to get involved in bicycle safety education with any school-aged children.
Everything from bike rodeos to fundraising, from clip art and evaluation
tools is included.
Bike LA Safety Training (BLAST)
Tana Ball, Director of Programs, 5607 Capistrano Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Ph: 818-997-2455
BLAST teaches middle and high school students how to safely ride a bicycle for recreation, commuting or exercise. Bike clubs, health agencies and other organizations are encouraged to use the program as well. A video The Bike Channel is shown at an assembly to introduce BLAST. The video outlines road survival skills, smart bicycling skills and interesting bicycle facts. The video is designed to facilitate discussion after each section. The BLAST Bicycle Rodeo scores kids after the completion of multiple skills, including helmet fit and shoulder check. After completion of the Bicycle Rodeo, student have the opportunity to move on to the racing track. BLAST is regarded as a bicycle driver's education that precedes motorist driver's education. The BLAST program also offers a Youth Cycling League by forming a school bicycle club. Members can earn bikes by keeping their grades up and can participate in field trips and other safety-related events.
Bike-Ed Hawaii
Eve DeCoursey, Executive Director, 3442 Waialae Ave, Ste 1, Honolulu,
HI 96816
Ph: 808-735-5756, E-mail: bicycle@pixi.com
The BikeEd Hawaii Program is aimed at fourth grade students, and is
taught within Hawaii's public schools during school hours. Early in
the development of the BikeEd Hawaii Program (1988), it was recognized
that playground simulation of traffic patterns was not effective education.
Also in recognition of the importance of the vehicular cycling concepts
which must be conveyed to the children, BikeEd chose quality over
quantity, and developed a comprehensive program which includes five
45-minute sessions—nearly four hours of instruction per class—of
on-bike instruction.
The program is taught by three trained instructors who visit each
school for a full week with a van load of 30 bikes, helmets and safety
vests. The first session with each 4th grade class is held on the
school grounds and is used to determine which students are capable
of riding on the road (approx 90%). The last four sessions are taught
on the secondary roads adjacent to each school with instruction focusing
on these basic maneuvers: driveway exits, right and left turns, proper
behavior at stops signs and U-turns. The Friday session includes the
childrens' "road test."
Although the main message of the program deals with the children's
comprehension of street patterns and acceptable road behavior, and
is therefore designed for children who have already developed a certain
proficiency in bike handling, hundreds of "non-riders" have also benefited
by being kept on the playground with a bike and learning how to ride.
» Since curriculum development in 1988, BikeEd has serviced more
than 68,000 youngsters.
» Driven by the demand from the teachers, each school's "BikeEd
Week" is booked more than a year in advance.
Albuquerque Bike/Ped Safety Education Program
Chuck Malagodi 7701 San Pedro, NE Pino Yards, Bldg A, Albuquerque,
NM 87108
Ph: 505-232-9373, E-mail: cmalagodi@cabq.gov
The city of Albuquerque's Bike/Ped Safety Education program is run
out of the city's Parks and Recreation department. Instructors are
League of American Bicyclists certified. Included in the presentation
is a 45 minute assembly and a 45 minute bicycle safety rodeo. BPSEP
provides bike rodeos to schools, civic organizations, community centers
and neighborhood organizations.
The presentation includes helmet use and fit, road sign recognition,
pedestrian crosswalk controls and turn signals. Included in the rodeo
are helmet fitting, hazard avoidance, driveway drills, trail etiquette
and stop sign drill.
Nevada Elementary Traffic Safety Program
Bruce Mackey Office of Traffic Safety, Ph: 775-687-4229, E-mail: spinwin@govmail.state.nv.us
Members.xoom.com/savvycyclist
The Nevada Elementary Traffic Safety program instructs professional
educators and law enforcement in bicycle education. It is designed
for children in grades k through five. The topics covered include:
teaching bicycle and pedestrian safety to children; major causes of
bicycle and pedestrian crashes and their prevention; bicycle and pedestrian
law in Nevada; how to conduct a bicycle rodeo; emergency bicycle maneuvers;
safe bicycle operation in traffic; how to advise community groups
on bike and pedestrian safety; helmet use and fit and school bus safety.
This three day class is accredited by the Nevada Department of Education,
Sierra Nevada College and the Nevada Peace Officers Standards and
Training (POST) Committee.
Texas SuperCyclist Program
Gayle Cummins P.O. Box 1121 Austin, Texas 78767 Ph: 512-476-7433 Fx:
512-476-7458
www.biketexas.org/super_contents.htm,
mail@biketexas.org
The Texas SuperCyclist program uses League of American Bicyclists
certified instructors to deliver training to elementary school teachers.
The teachers in turn deliver a state approved cycling safety curriculum.
This five module curriculum includes four classroom session of about
one hour each. Topics included in these sessions are traffic safety,
bike maintenance and fit, hazard identification and avoidance, safe
choices in traffic and dressing for safety which include helmet use.
Maine Bicycle Safety Instructor Training
Jeff Miller Executive Director Bicycle Coalition of Maine PO Box 5275
Augusta, ME 04332 Ph: 207-288-3028, E-mail: bcm@acadia.net,
www.bikemaine.org
Instructor training is done by League of American Bicyclists certified
instructors and is a full day for volunteers, teachers, nurses and
police. Topics covered include: how to properly fit a bicycle helmet,
rules of the Road, safe bicycle driving skills, age appropriate instruction,
safety equipment, how to organize a bicycle rodeo and how to check
a bike for mechanical hazards. Bicycle Safety Instructors cover: correct
helmet fit and use, dressing safely, how to do the "ABC Quick Check"
on your bike, rules, laws, and safe bike driving tips. In addition
to a 45 to 60 minute interactive safety presentation, students are
given the following: handout with tips on how to practice with their
parents; a copy of "A to Z by Bike," a 30-page illustrated book covering
all aspects of bike safety; a "Share the Road" brochure for both bicyclists
and motorists; and a bright yellow "Share the Road" bike or helmet
sticker. Follow-up activities are also encouraged to increase retention
of the safety lessons taught. Each school visited received a packet
of additional materials to use at their discretion as well as suggestions
for follow-up activities ranging from science fair projects to writing
assignments relating to bicycling. Each school has a designated School
Bike Safety Coordinator with whom instructors spend some one-on-one
time so they can help carry on the safety message.
Enforcement for Bicycle Safety
Peter Flucke, President WE BIKE 1144 Hawthorne Rd, Green Bay, WI 54313
Ph: 920-497-3196, E-mail: webike@aol.com
Developed by a former police officer and avid cyclist, this program
is designed to teach the importance of bicycle law enforcement to
police officers. Training is done over two days and includes on bike
sessions with classroom instruction. Most material is adapted from
the League of American Bicyclists education program and International
Police Mountain Bike Association Police Cyclist program. Topics covered
include: crash types, bike history, roadway engineering, crash investigation
and reporting, bike theft, police bike patrols. Also included are
pre and post test evaluations. Class is counted toward police mandatory
continuing education requirements.
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