League Cycling Instructor Certification
LCI Program • Are You a Good Candidate? • Opportunities for LCIs • Prerequisites and Registration • Report from 2007 LCI Seminar
The LCI Program
The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) offers the only nationwide cyclist training and certification program in road safety and general cycling skills. League Certified Instructors, or LCIs, hold an important credential in the world of cycling and may run a variety of bicycle education programs for adults and children. The training for LCIs takes place during a weekend-long seminar (one evening and two days), with the primary focus being on teaching skills. In New York City, Bike New York organizes and hosts an LCI seminar each fall; the 2008 session will take place October 10-12.
Are You a Good Candidate?
If you are passionate about cycling and want to bring other people into the sport by showing them how to enjoy it safely and skillfully, you are a great candidate to earn your LCI certification. It helps to also be comfortable with teaching, training, or public speaking, and to have a strong base of cycling knowledge and experience. Novice cyclists should probably get more experience before seeking LCI certification.
Opportunities for LCIs
There is a growing demand for good bike educators. Community organizations, hospitals, youth groups, and parks agencies hold fairs and events to promote healthy activities. New York state will soon be putting a Safe Routes to School program in place and will need experienced cycling educators. Many bike clubs can benefit from trained, knowledgeable cyclists. The ideas are endless, and LCIs around the country have created numerous formats for improving people's cycling skills. Finally, Bike New York is always looking for more instructors for events and classes.
Prerequisites and Registration
To qualify for an LCI seminar, one must successfully complete a League Road I class or its equivalent, such as Bike New York's one-day Savvy Cyclist class. After completing a Road I class, candidates fill out the application to attend an LCI Training Seminar. If you are interested in attending a weekend-long training, e-mail Rich Conroy to ask about future opportunities.
Report from 2007 LCI Seminar
New Cycling Instructors Certified in NYC, Will Help Bike New York Expand Ed Program in 2008
New York, October 2007--New York City's cadre of cycling instructors grew exponentially thanks to Bike New York's second annual training seminar. All 11 participants--most from the metropolitan area, and a few from upstate as far north as Albany--earned certification as League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructors after the three-day class in September 2007. LCIs are certified to teach both children and adults, and last year reached roughly 2,000 people through various Bike New York educational initiatives. This larger roster of teachers will help reach thousands more New Yorkers in the coming year.
The diverse group of students included century riders, a mountain biker, cycle tourists, and avid bike commuters. Bike New York Bicycle Education Program Director Rich Conroy was the instructor, with site coordination by Program Associate Emilia Crotty. Preston Tyree, the League's new Director of Education, flew in from Texas to observe the class and provide additional instruction.
Several of the graduates hope to teach Bike New York courses, and others plan to develop their own offerings. Mark Plaut, a long-time ride leader and trip planner with a local club, is looking forward to working with adult club riders. Gloria Tate hopes to bring Bike New York's Savvy Cyclist class to Brooklyn, and Simona Bares already has a waiting list for a commuting class she is developing. Beth Katz and Bob Bagomolny are interested in teaching vehicular cycling concepts to upstate rail trail users.
The LCI seminar weekend began with an informal dinner and discussion of teaching and learning styles on Friday evening in Manhattan. Saturday was devoted to a group ride past many New York City landmarks, such as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and Lincoln Center, followed by classroom time at a Recycle-A-Bicycle facility in Queens. On Sunday, students put into practice the League's new skills drill layouts. Throughout the weekend, individual students taught "mini-modules" on specific safety and skills topics while their classmates learned from and critiqued their presentations.
"Though I knew about a third of the students, it was refreshing to ride with, and learn from, riders with a different background," noted Plaut. "They are very much like the rest of us--they like to ride and want to share their interest. There is always more to learn and more to teach."
Bares echoed that sentiment. "I found everyone to be incredibly knowledgeable, very willing to share, which is really great because I think not everybody was a total expert on everything. It was very enjoyable, definitely a learning experience."
Tyree, fresh from an LCI seminar in the very different traffic environment of Sitka, Alaska, was equally enthusiastic about the students. "When you look down the list of their histories, their abilities, you really have a good group. Good cyclists, good histories, and good attitudes, and they will be good representatives for the League."
The seminar is part of Bike New York's mission to encourage cycling safety by empowering cyclists to use proven safety tools and techniques. The Bicycle Education Program's signature monthly Savvy Cyclist class has been oversubscribed all year, so offerings will be doubled in 2008, along with increases in other program areas. Visit www.BikeNewYork.org for more details and to get involved.
LCI Program • Are You a Good Candidate? • Opportunities for LCIs • Prerequisites and Registration • Report from 2007 LCI Seminar
The LCI Program
The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) offers the only nationwide cyclist training and certification program in road safety and general cycling skills. League Certified Instructors, or LCIs, hold an important credential in the world of cycling and may run a variety of bicycle education programs for adults and children. The training for LCIs takes place during a weekend-long seminar (one evening and two days), with the primary focus being on teaching skills. In New York City, Bike New York organizes and hosts an LCI seminar each fall; the 2008 session will take place October 10-12.
Are You a Good Candidate?
If you are passionate about cycling and want to bring other people into the sport by showing them how to enjoy it safely and skillfully, you are a great candidate to earn your LCI certification. It helps to also be comfortable with teaching, training, or public speaking, and to have a strong base of cycling knowledge and experience. Novice cyclists should probably get more experience before seeking LCI certification.
Opportunities for LCIs
There is a growing demand for good bike educators. Community organizations, hospitals, youth groups, and parks agencies hold fairs and events to promote healthy activities. New York state will soon be putting a Safe Routes to School program in place and will need experienced cycling educators. Many bike clubs can benefit from trained, knowledgeable cyclists. The ideas are endless, and LCIs around the country have created numerous formats for improving people's cycling skills. Finally, Bike New York is always looking for more instructors for events and classes.
Prerequisites and Registration
To qualify for an LCI seminar, one must successfully complete a League Road I class or its equivalent, such as Bike New York's one-day Savvy Cyclist class. After completing a Road I class, candidates fill out the application to attend an LCI Training Seminar. If you are interested in attending a weekend-long training, e-mail Rich Conroy to ask about future opportunities.
Report from 2007 LCI Seminar
New Cycling Instructors Certified in NYC, Will Help Bike New York Expand Ed Program in 2008
New York, October 2007--New York City's cadre of cycling instructors grew exponentially thanks to Bike New York's second annual training seminar. All 11 participants--most from the metropolitan area, and a few from upstate as far north as Albany--earned certification as League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructors after the three-day class in September 2007. LCIs are certified to teach both children and adults, and last year reached roughly 2,000 people through various Bike New York educational initiatives. This larger roster of teachers will help reach thousands more New Yorkers in the coming year.
The diverse group of students included century riders, a mountain biker, cycle tourists, and avid bike commuters. Bike New York Bicycle Education Program Director Rich Conroy was the instructor, with site coordination by Program Associate Emilia Crotty. Preston Tyree, the League's new Director of Education, flew in from Texas to observe the class and provide additional instruction.
Several of the graduates hope to teach Bike New York courses, and others plan to develop their own offerings. Mark Plaut, a long-time ride leader and trip planner with a local club, is looking forward to working with adult club riders. Gloria Tate hopes to bring Bike New York's Savvy Cyclist class to Brooklyn, and Simona Bares already has a waiting list for a commuting class she is developing. Beth Katz and Bob Bagomolny are interested in teaching vehicular cycling concepts to upstate rail trail users.
The LCI seminar weekend began with an informal dinner and discussion of teaching and learning styles on Friday evening in Manhattan. Saturday was devoted to a group ride past many New York City landmarks, such as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and Lincoln Center, followed by classroom time at a Recycle-A-Bicycle facility in Queens. On Sunday, students put into practice the League's new skills drill layouts. Throughout the weekend, individual students taught "mini-modules" on specific safety and skills topics while their classmates learned from and critiqued their presentations.
"Though I knew about a third of the students, it was refreshing to ride with, and learn from, riders with a different background," noted Plaut. "They are very much like the rest of us--they like to ride and want to share their interest. There is always more to learn and more to teach."
Bares echoed that sentiment. "I found everyone to be incredibly knowledgeable, very willing to share, which is really great because I think not everybody was a total expert on everything. It was very enjoyable, definitely a learning experience."
Tyree, fresh from an LCI seminar in the very different traffic environment of Sitka, Alaska, was equally enthusiastic about the students. "When you look down the list of their histories, their abilities, you really have a good group. Good cyclists, good histories, and good attitudes, and they will be good representatives for the League."
The seminar is part of Bike New York's mission to encourage cycling safety by empowering cyclists to use proven safety tools and techniques. The Bicycle Education Program's signature monthly Savvy Cyclist class has been oversubscribed all year, so offerings will be doubled in 2008, along with increases in other program areas. Visit www.BikeNewYork.org for more details and to get involved.
