Cycling Education Programs

Source: http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/older-adults/getting-around-city

Become more comfortable and confident on the road, learning assertive cycling skills, traffic analysis, general bicycle maintenance, route planning and more. The City’s cycling programs have been developed using the Canadian Cycling Association’s CAN-BIKE program. CAN-BIKE is oriented toward recreational and utilitarian cycling. Instructors are nationally certified highly skilled cyclists.

Programs are offered from April through to October across the city.

Got a Bike Club? Sign your group up for a lesson.

See you on the road.

Contact

Cycling education courses for children

Bike RODEO – ages 6-10 – 2 hours

Essential bicycle handling and traffic skills for young cyclists in a fun festival type atmosphere. Topics include helmet fitting, bicycle maintenance, handling, signalling, gears, braking, avoiding road hazards and more. Participants must know how to ride.

Learn to Ride Private Lessons – ages 6 and up

For children and youth who cannot ride a bike. Participants will learn to balance, start, stop and turn. One 2-hour or two 1-hour sessions are offered on a one to one basis. Participants must have a bicycle and helmet. Instructors will meet you at your local school parking lot.

Cycling Safety for Kids – ages 9-13 – 4 hours

Essential bicycle handling and traffic skills for young cyclists. Helmet fitting, bicycle maintenance, handling, signalling, gears, braking, avoiding road hazards and more. Participants must know how to ride.

CAN-BIKE for Kids – ages 9-13 – 8 hours

Learn steering, signalling, right and left turns, changing gears, braking and avoiding road hazards. Young cyclists are taught to ride safely to school or to the local swimming pool on residential streets. Participants must know how to ride.

Rural Cycling for Youth – ages 14-17 – 4 hours

Enhance cycling skills for teenagers with riding experience. Maintenance, handling, hazard avoidance, emergency manoeuvres and learning to ride more safely in low-traffic areas.

Cycling education courses for adults

Commuter Cycling Safety – ages 14+ – 4 hours

Improve your confidence and ability to ride safely in traffic. Learn traffic theory and assertive cycling techniques. You must have basic experience cycling in low traffic areas.

CAN-BIKE I – ages 15 and up – 12 hours

Designed for both beginner and occasional cyclists, learn to ride confidently and safely in low traffic areas and on recreational pathways. Bike care, minor repairs, riding techniques, detecting and avoiding hazards, and emergency manoeuvres.

CAN-BIKE II – ages 15 and up – 18 hours

Assertive cycling is for commuters and recreational cyclists who already ride in traffic. Review riding skills, cycling proficiency, bicycle maintenance, health and fitness, equipment and bicycle consumerism. Pre-requisite for instructor training.

CAN-BIKE Commuter Cycling Safety – ages 18+ – 6 hours

Cycling to school or work offers significant challenges to both novice and experienced cyclists. One-day course for recreational and commuter cyclists who want to improve their competence and comfort level in traffic. Learn to recognize and react to common road hazards. Traffic problems are presented, then ridden through and discussed. Learn about the legal status of bicycles and essential bicycle handling techniques.

Cycling Skills for Women – 4 hours

Learn riding skills, bike maintenance, equipment, health and fitness. Specific topics such as night security and riding with children are explored. Female instructors.

Adult Learn to Ride Private Lesson – 1 hour

For adults who cannot ride a bike. Learn to balance, start, stop and turn. One session, on a one-to-one basis. You must have a bicycle and helmet.

Cycling Skills for Seniors – ages 50 and over – 3 hours

Learn the skills to ride confidently and safely in traffic areas and on recreational pathways. Bike care, minor repairs, riding techniques, detecting and avoiding hazards and emergency manoeuvres, helmet fitting, route planning and pathway safety.

CAN-BIKE Instructor Workshops – ages 16 and up – 18 hours

Workshops are open to CAN-BIKE II graduates with recommendations from their instructor. Develop effective teaching skills, course planning and risk management. Excellent rates of pay, flexible schedule and great opportunities. Instructors who complete all requirements and teach a minimum of three courses in the first year will be subsidized for 50 per cent of the costs affiliated with becoming a certified instructor.

http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/older-adults/getting-around-city