The League of American Bicyclists has long been a leader in cycling education, including a long-standing commitment to Effective Cycling and its founding principle the "Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as operators of vehicles." And with cycling increasing in popularity, the opportunity now exists to reach more members of the community than ever before with our message of safe, confident, and skills-oriented education. Because of this opportunity, the Effective Cycling Program is undergoing a massive restructuring to better meet the needs of the entire cycling public.
The League firmly believes that if every rider from infancy to experienced participates in a formal cycling education program that there will be fewer cycling horror stories and many, many more individuals entering the world of cycling recreation and utility riding. The full revamp will take close to five years (Road I debuts in 1996), but the modules are all planned:
E.C. Instructor Certification (20 hours): For the experienced cyclist who elects to become an instructor.
E.C. Road I (3 three hour sessions, 4 hrs. classroom, 5 hrs. on bicycle): Foundational course/prerequisite to all other Effective Cycling courses. Principles of vehicular cycling, bicycle selection and fit, helmet use, basic handling skills, traffic rules, and minor maintenance skills.
E.C. Road II (3 three hour sessions): For intermediate riders who want to enhance riding and maintenance skills.
E.C. Road III (3 three hour sessions): For advanced riders; full spectrum of non-racing skills and complete maintenance.
E.C. Kids I (adaptable from 1/2 hr. presentation to a three hour session): For parents who teach young children (grades K-3) basic bicycle handling, bike fit, helmet use, basic safety checks, and where to ride.
E.C. Kids II (7 hr. course adaptable to a variety of situations): For 4th/5th grade students, techniques of bike handling, bike fit, helmet use, basic traffic laws, safety checks, group riding techniques, and where to ride.
E.C. Kids III (7 hr. course adaptable to a variety of situations): For middle school students, further development of EC Kids II skills; emphasis on maintenance, medical, and more challenging roadway situations.
E.C. Commuting (10 hr. course, classroom and on-road): Skills such as equipping bikes for utilitarian cycling, selecting optimum routes, and working with employers to provide a positive commuting environment.
E.C. Families (adaptable from 1/2 hr. to three hr. session): For families desiring to "play" together. Selection of equipment (type of bikes, child carriers, children's bikes), helmet use, vehicular cycling principles, bike handling skills and emergency maneuvers, and planning family adventures.
E.C. Motorist Education (adaptable from one or more 1/2 hr. presentations to a three hour session): To educate motorists regarding ways cyclists and motorists may share the road safely, rules and responsibilities of traffic law, common causes and prevention of car/bike accidents.
E.C. Off-Road (9 hour course): Bike handling skills and maneuvers for specific terrain, equipment, helmet use, bike maintenance, safety checks and equipment, emergency medical, and conservation trail use.
E.C. Bicycle Maintenance (9 hr. course): For the experienced cyclist who desires the skills to clean, lubricate, and adjust all mechanical parts of their bicycle. This course is a workshop only; no on-road riding.
The League of American Bicyclists is reaching out to cyclists across the U.S., requesting their involvement in two postcard campaigns to improve access and conditions for cycling in America.
The first campaign urges Amtrak to follow-up on expressed congressional support of increased attention to the cycling markets. Congress urged Amtrak "to take full advantage of the opportunity to increase ridership and revenues on all its routes by better serving the bicycling market." The second campaign urges the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to rewrite its five-year plan to include significant attention to bicycle safety.
The League published two "Action Alert" postcards in early 1996 in its membership magazine, Bicycle USA, reaching over 32,000 bicyclists, and has now distributed the campaign information and copies of the postcards to its 450 affiliated organizations, reaching over 150,000 bicyclists nationwide.
Pro-bicycling publications, local newsletters, and other media are encouraged to promote involvement in these campaigns; sample text for consideration is provided below. Postcards and letters to Amtrak should be addressed to Mr. Tom Downs, President and CEO, National Railroad Passenger Corporation, 60 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002. Postcards and letters to NHTSA should be addressed to Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D., U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Nat'l Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC 20590.
Dear Amtrak CEO Downs:
Congress has spoken and has told Amtrak to DO MORE TO ACCOMMODATE
BICYCLISTS! As a taxpayer and bicyclist, I expect Amtrak to act! Most of the Amtrak system
remains inaccessible or inconvenient for bicyclists. While I commend Amtrak for the
improvements that have been made, overall service to bicyclists remains inadequate. Why, for
example, can't bicycles be rolled onto all trains with baggage cars? And why aren't any
accommodations provided for bicyclists on the trains without baggage cars-like most of the
Northeast Corridor service? It is unacceptable for a taxpayer-subsidized Amtrak to ignore
bicyclists. Please let me know what you intend to do to win my loyalty and to assure Congress
that your subsidy is justified.
Dear Administrator Martinez:
I was dismayed to find out the NHTSA's draft strategic five-year plan provides neither goals
nor plans to improve bicycle safety. With 800 bicyclists killed annually in crashes with motor
vehicles on our nation's roadways, I would expect NHTSA to respond to this carnage. What is
NHTSA planning to do to institute bicycle-safety education? And how does NHTSA hope to
reach the adult population, which accounts for more than half of bicycling fatalities? Is NHTSA
willing to offer more than lip service to meeting the goals of the National Bicycling and Walking
Study and to improving bicycle safety in the United States? I eagerly await your response.
Attendees at the League's major 1996 events have the chance to participate in the debut of the first module of the newly revamped Effective Cycling program! E.C. Road I, the foundation of the entire Effective Cycling program, is available as a complimentary one-day option during GEAR and Rally, and includes both classroom and on-road instruction (pre-registration is required).
GEAR, June 7-10, 1996, will be a celebration of the picturesque riding of Lancaster County, Penna.
The National Rally, July 3-7, 1996, joins the bicentennial celebration of Dayton, Ohio, home of Orville and Wilbur Wright's bicycle shop.
To pre-register for these history-making courses, call (800)288-BIKE for a GEAR/Rally registration form. Enrollment in Road I at GEAR or Rally is free of any additional fees. Be part of this win-win opportunity!
Pedal for Power, L.A.B.'s long-distance bicycle touring program, has announced a new route for its "Across America" ride taking place May 11-June 25, 1996. The ride will begin in Los Angeles and will reach the Atlantic Ocean for the traditional wheel dip at Rehobeth, Delaware. This new route will allow riders to then head to the League's National Office in Baltimore, Md., for a fitting celebration of their accomplishments. For details about "Across America" and LAB's "Ride the Coast" adventure, Sept. 20-Oct. 12, 1996, call the League at (800) 288-BIKE.
The key motivator for local bicycling advocates is a desire to be able to go tomorrow where they can't go today.
So how does the League help bicyclists who want to become more effective local bicycle advocates?
1. Read Bicycle USA. The Around the States column provides dozens of inspiring examples of significant new cycling advocacy developments. Feature articles and Noel Weyrich's regular column, sometimes reprinted in club newsletters and regional publications, offer perspectives on emerging trends in effective advocacy.
2. Sign Up a Bicycle Friendly Community. With more than a dozen cities registered in this League effort, from Gig Harbor, Wash., to Wakefield, N. H., and scores more preparing their applications, this program is the surest way to put your home town in paceline for better bicycling. Call or write for details!
3. Reserve a Copy of the League's Safe Roads Project Book. Now under development, this loose-leaf compendium of model state and local standards, practices, laws and ordinances, regarding maintenance procedures, bike programs, bike parking and safety programs, will soon be available for a modest fee.
4. Host an Advocacy Seminar for Local Bike Advocates. A visit from Noel Weyrich to your area can be a great way to galvanize bicyclists around your state or region. Sometimes cyclists need to hear from a national authority that it can be done, and that it is being done (and in some of the most unlikely places!).
5. Call or write for help. Specific questions work best. Noel Weyrich, L.A.B. Director of State and Local Advocacy, 749 North 26th St., Phila. PA 19130. (215) 232-5129. Fax (215) 232-2658.
E-mail: BikeNoel@aol.com (electronic mail is best -- cyberspace is a Bicycle Friendly Community!)
Published Spring, 1996, by the League of American Bicyclists for reprint by League-affiliated organizations. (c) 1996, League of American Bicyclists.