A blog for better streets and public spaces in Portland, Maine.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Go Play in Traffic

John Brooking, the founder of the Portland Bike Commuters' Meetup Group, will be leading a 3-part introductory course on how to cycle safely and confidently on busy roads.


Here's John's description of the first class, "Train Your Bike," coming up on Saturday June 11 from 9 am to 1 pm:

In this three hours of fun you will train your bike to perform at low speed, at high speed and in emergency situations.

You will teach your bike to behave:
  • As you start and stop correctly
  • Stop without putting a foot down
  • Maneuver with precision at low speeds
  • Communicate with the drivers behind you
  • Race sloooowly
You will teach your bike to be frisky at high speed:
  • Use your gears efficiently to accelerate
  • Avoid obstacles with the rock dodge
  • Dance through a slalom course
  • Corner with precision
You will teach your bike to get you out of trouble
  • Snap turn 90° in a 4ft radius
  • Stop on a dime ~ without going over the handlebars

The full course also includes these future classes:

The truth and techniques of traffic cycling (3 hrs):
Classroom session. Discover that bicycling is very safe and that with a few simple techniques, you can make your own cycling virtually conflict-free.

Tour of Portland (3.5 hrs):*
On-road tour. We will show you simple strategies to eliminate obstacles and ride with ease and confidence in places you might never have thought possible. *requires completion of previous 2 classes

A la carte session $30/each; full course package $75. Register online here.

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