Bicycle Education is How We Roll

January 4, 2011/PCC/Comments Off

Education is one of the three legs that supports the Palmetto Cycling Coalition stool. It is a fundamental principle that the Coalition’s mission is based upon.

And when we talk about education, we don’t just mean for those who are new to bicycling. We’re talking about education even for experienced cyclists, for car drivers, for law enforcement officers, and for all the other road users out there.

Nationally, we’re lucky to have an organization like the League of American Bicyclists, because they have created a fantastic bicycle ed curriculum and program called Smart Cycling. This program certifies bicycle instructors around the country, and here in South Carolina we have 30+ instructors that are certified to teach this curriculum to children, adults and everyone in between.

Every so often these instructors, known as League Cycling Instructors (LCI), get together and offer a course where there is a need. In the past year, there has been a Smart Cycling Course in both the upstate and lowcountry, but not in the Midlands. So, three LCI’s are teaming together to offer Traffic Skills 101 in the Midlands. Traffic Skills 101 is a wonderful 9-hour course to help anyone boost their confidence and knowledge with 4+ hours of on-bicycle experience. The focus will be bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on-bike skills and crash avoidance techniques and includes a student manual. Recommended for adults and children above age fourteen, this fast-paced course prepares cyclists for a full understanding of vehicle-friendly cycling.

Below is more information about the course. To register or have questions answered, contact Rachael. And stay tuned for a course to come to your area!