Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101
Course Content • Are You Ready for Savvy Cyclist? • Schedule • Register • Schedule a Group Class • What Participants Are Saying
Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 is a free, one-day "introduction to cycling" program for adults and mature teens who want to improve their cycling skills. This class is ideal for new cyclists who want to learn the basics, those returning to cycling from a long hiatus, people who want to be more independent on their bike, and those who feel a little nervous while cycling in traffic.
Course Content
The class is mostly hands-on and bike-riding activities, though it includes some classroom learning. Participants will receive literature and accessories to ensure continued safe and enjoyable riding.
Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 is a League of American Bicyclists Road I class, and it fulfills the pre-requisite for entering the training and certification seminar to become a League Cycling Instructor.
Are You Ready for Savvy Cyclist?
For your own safety and that of other class participants, all Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 students should arrive at class able to:
If you are interested in private instruction, visit the League of American Bicyclists website to find a certified cycling instructor in your area.
Registration Details
Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 class is free, but pre-registration and a fully refundable $50 deposit* are required to secure your spot. No day-of-class walk-ins, please!
Sign Up Here >
*Deposit: To guarantee a place in the class, and to help ensure that registrants show up, we require a refundable $50 deposit by check or credit card. (Please do not send cash.) Your registration will not be considered complete without the deposit, meaning you will not receive class details or the advance course packet. We will not process the deposit of participants who attend the class. Deposits from any no-shows will be used to help defray program costs.
Cancellation policy: If you register and must cancel for any reason, we will not process your deposit provided you notify us at least a week prior to the class. If you wish to change to a different class date, you may do so up to a week in advance of the class you were registered for without losing your deposit. To cancel or change the date of the class, contact the Bicycle Education Program (see below). Anyone who cancels or reschedules at any point during the seven days prior to the class will be charged the $50 deposit fee, as will registrants who do not attend the class. We will not process the deposit of participants who attend the class.
Schedule a Class for Your Group: Bike New York's certified League Cycling Instructors also lead Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 classes for groups of engineers, urban planners, transportation management associations, public health officials, and others. Individuals are welcome to coordinate a free Savvy Cyclist course for their co-workers or community group (minimum 12 participants) in the New York metro area. Simply contact Bike New York's Bicycle Education Program staff to set a date and location.
What Participants Are Saying:
Course Content • Are You Ready for Savvy Cyclist? • Schedule • Register • Schedule a Group Class • What Participants Are Saying
Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 is a free, one-day "introduction to cycling" program for adults and mature teens who want to improve their cycling skills. This class is ideal for new cyclists who want to learn the basics, those returning to cycling from a long hiatus, people who want to be more independent on their bike, and those who feel a little nervous while cycling in traffic.
Course Content
- Adjusting your bike and helmet for a comfortable fit
- Performing a safety inspection of your bike to make sure everything is working properly
- Understanding traffic principles and bicyclists' rights and responsibilities on the road
- Fixing a flat tire
- Using your gear system
- Locking your bike
- Bike handling drills
- A group ride of approximately 5-8 miles emphasizing cycling safely and confidently in traffic
The class is mostly hands-on and bike-riding activities, though it includes some classroom learning. Participants will receive literature and accessories to ensure continued safe and enjoyable riding.
Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 is a League of American Bicyclists Road I class, and it fulfills the pre-requisite for entering the training and certification seminar to become a League Cycling Instructor.
Are You Ready for Savvy Cyclist?
For your own safety and that of other class participants, all Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 students should arrive at class able to:
- Ride a bike (pedal and balance) with control in a steady, straight line, without wobbling or swooshing from side to side
- Start and stop their bike with control--no shaky starts or running into fixed objects. Tips >
If you are interested in private instruction, visit the League of American Bicyclists website to find a certified cycling instructor in your area.
| Date | Time | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 4/10 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side, Manhattan [Map >] | |
| Sun, 4/18 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Recycle-A-Bicycle, 35 Pearl Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn [Map >] | |
| Sat, 4/24 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side, Manhattan [Map >] | |
| Sun, 5/9 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Recycle-A-Bicycle, 35 Pearl Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn [Map >] | |
| Sat, 5/15 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Exact location TBD, Queens, NY | |
| Sat, 5/22 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Exact location TBD, Jersey City, NJ | |
| Sat, 5/22 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side, Manhattan [Map >] | |
| Sat, 6/5 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Exact location TBD, Morristown, NJ | |
| Sat, 6/12 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Exact location TBD, Hoboken, NJ | |
| Sat, 6/12 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Fire Dept. Headquarters, 1 Pine St., Montclair, NJ [Map >] | |
| Sun, 6/13 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Recycle-A-Bicycle, 35 Pearl Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn [Map >] | |
| Sat, 6/26 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side, Manhattan [Map >] | |
| Sat, 7/10 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side, Manhattan [Map >] | |
| Sun, 7/18 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Recycle-A-Bicycle, 35 Pearl Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn [Map >] | |
| Sat, 7/24 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side, Manhattan [Map >] | |
| Sat, 8/7 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side, Manhattan [Map >] | |
| Sat, 9/11 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side, Manhattan [Map >] | |
| Sat, 9/18 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Exact location TBD, Queens, NY | |
| Sun, 9/19 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Recycle-A-Bicycle, 35 Pearl Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn [Map >] |
All class dates and locations are subject to change. Please check back for updates. To host your own class, please submit an application.
Registration Details
Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 class is free, but pre-registration and a fully refundable $50 deposit* are required to secure your spot. No day-of-class walk-ins, please!
Sign Up Here >
*Deposit: To guarantee a place in the class, and to help ensure that registrants show up, we require a refundable $50 deposit by check or credit card. (Please do not send cash.) Your registration will not be considered complete without the deposit, meaning you will not receive class details or the advance course packet. We will not process the deposit of participants who attend the class. Deposits from any no-shows will be used to help defray program costs.
Cancellation policy: If you register and must cancel for any reason, we will not process your deposit provided you notify us at least a week prior to the class. If you wish to change to a different class date, you may do so up to a week in advance of the class you were registered for without losing your deposit. To cancel or change the date of the class, contact the Bicycle Education Program (see below). Anyone who cancels or reschedules at any point during the seven days prior to the class will be charged the $50 deposit fee, as will registrants who do not attend the class. We will not process the deposit of participants who attend the class.
Schedule a Class for Your Group: Bike New York's certified League Cycling Instructors also lead Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 classes for groups of engineers, urban planners, transportation management associations, public health officials, and others. Individuals are welcome to coordinate a free Savvy Cyclist course for their co-workers or community group (minimum 12 participants) in the New York metro area. Simply contact Bike New York's Bicycle Education Program staff to set a date and location.
What Participants Are Saying:
- "Took the Savvy Cyclist class last weekend and BOY did that ever so help during my tri today! I did not crash once and actually changed gears, unlike my last tri, and smashed my time goal! I also conquered a few downhills in Riverside that I use to avoid and dared to go crosstown along of all places 42nd Street while training CONFIDENTLY, taking the lane, names, and numbers!"--August 2009
- "I was really nervous with the group ride but having instructors in the front and back of the group really helped my confidence. I've learned a lot and have started to build some riding-in-the-street confidence. You've got a great program that fits a wide range of cyclists."--June 2009
- "I wanted to thank you SO MUCH for the class; it was fantastic! I went on my bike today and (even in today's rain) felt SO much more informed and comfortable riding. You were such great instructors--I really appreciate how no question was considered too 'amateurish.'"--March 2009
- "I went out for my first ride since the class and it was great. I didn't realize how much I had gotten from the class until I was actually on a ride. I was able to 'take the lane' with no problem when it was appropriate and I made several left turns. I had no problem merging with traffic and the cars treated me just like any other vehicle. For the first time I really felt like I belonged on the road."--April 2008
- "I took the Savvy Cyclist class yesterday. What a blast! The instructors were fantastic! They were very knowledgeable, while being fun, the class just flew by."--September 2007
- "I just wanted to thank you again for today's class. I got so much out of it. [The instructors] were so easy going and fun. That is how classes need to be run. It was a great learning experience."--July 2007
- "I really enjoyed the class today. The things we learned are very useful and essential. I will recommend it to all of my friends who ride."--May 2007
- "I want to thank you for creating and teaching such a great bicycling class. I learned a lot and I can't wait to practice what we covered!"--June 2006
