Learning to ride a bicycle in traffic requires structured practice. Courses and manuals provide step-by-step instruction similar to driver training. Educational programs exist in multiple countries and often combine classroom study with on-road practice.
A concise introduction appears in Bicycling Street Smarts. More detailed treatments are found in Effective Cycling and Cyclecraft. These books explain techniques for driving on either side of the road. Additional resources include chapters on traffic cycling in general cycling manuals.
Basic training usually addresses three areas:
- Understanding the bicycle and its human motor
- Bicycle handling skills
- Cycling in traffic
The first area covers fit, cadence, safety checks, nutrition, clothing, and protective equipment. The second area covers starting, stopping, gear use, pedaling posture, and looking behind. Advanced handling includes the rock dodge, quick stop, and quick turn.
Making a Quick Turn: To turn right, a cyclist first steers briefly left, then quickly back right while leaning with the bicycle. This maneuver allows a sharper turn and helps avoid hazards such as turning vehicles.
Principles of Bicycling in Traffic
Traffic cycling instruction emphasizes five principles:
- Travel on the correct side of the roadway, not on sidewalks. Adjust for local driving orientation.
- Yield to larger or faster roads. Check left and right carefully before entering.
- Yield when changing lanes. Look forward and behind until both directions appear safe.
- At intersections, position according to direction: right-turning on the right, left-turning near the center, straight-through between.
- Between intersections, position according to speed: parked vehicles nearest the curb, slower traffic next, and faster traffic near the centerline.
These principles apply to all vehicles. Following them greatly reduces car-bicycle collisions. Experienced cyclists learn to recognize when other drivers deviate from proper behavior. This awareness helps them anticipate hazards and take action to reduce risk.
Traffic cycling education also highlights how some bikeway designs may discourage safe practices. Instruction often discusses ways to preserve cyclists’ rights to the road.
Comprehensive Training
An extended course adds advanced practice. This may include hill climbing, maintenance, longer rides, and time trials. Building confidence in traffic takes both time and repetition. Training, therefore, combines safety with the enjoyment of cycling.
Students gain knowledge to maintain bicycles and explore varied forms of riding. These range from city commuting and club rides to touring, racing introductions, and family cycling. Ultimately, enjoyment motivates regular use of bicycles, even for trips well suited to cycling.
Training also plays a vital role in preparing younger riders. While adults focus on advanced practice, children require programs designed for their age, traffic readiness, and learning style.
Children’s Cycling Instruction
You cannot teach bicycling in a single-hour presentation. Children must ride on real roads in carefully structured programs with trained instructors. In this way, cycling instruction resembles swimming, tennis, or other sports. Children cannot simply “follow the rules of the road” because they do not yet know the rules. However, practicing good cycling skills helps them become safer motorists once old enough for a driver’s license.
Courses for children must match the road and traffic conditions to their age. Instructors carefully control training so students avoid situations beyond their readiness. Lecturing alone is less effective. Instead, instructors show how, explain why, and guide repeated practice. Traffic conditions gradually increase in difficulty as each child gains skill. Final evaluation involves a bicycle driving test in age-appropriate traffic environments.
Most courses last 10 to 20 hours. Nearly all the time involves supervised and evaluated practice on real roads. Beginners start with basic instruction, while returning students can progress faster because earlier courses established fundamental skills.
- Children aged eight learn three of the five traffic principles. This prepares them for neighborhood travel on moderate residential roads.
- Children aged ten learn all five traffic principles. This enables trips to local commercial areas on four-lane roads of moderate speed.
- Children aged twelve and older practice all five principles in all traffic types. This prepares them to travel independently across town.
Organizing Cycling Classes for Children
Working with existing programs is easiest. Many summer programs already include sports, so cycling can fit naturally. A week-long course may end with a longer group ride.
After-school programs also provide opportunities. Meeting once a week for 10 to 15 weeks gives children more time to practice and improve fitness.
Schools may also include cycling in gym classes. Meeting twice weekly for 15 weeks gives enough time to cover essential skills.
Training Instructors
Instructors must have cycling experience and understand the principles of vehicular cycling. They should also complete training in teaching methods for children. A typical program lasts two or three days.
Bicycles for Instruction
Programs may either provide bicycles or allow children to bring their own. If children bring bicycles, organizers must prescreen them for size, type, and condition. In addition, bicycles must be in safe working order.
Purchasing a fleet requires funding, storage, and regular maintenance. Some programs partner with local organizations to reduce costs. Programs are also encouraged to provide helmets for all participants. Bulk purchases make helmets affordable for group instruction.