Bike Education

Riding a bicycle is fun, free, and convenient. We are here to provide you with the tools you need to make it easy. Our Bike Education workshops have taught more than 25,000 students to feel confident and comfortable riding and even maintaining their bicycles. Workshops are taught by certified instructors around the county at local schools, community centers, businesses, and in our downtown SLO headquarters.

These days, more and more people are choosing a bicycle over a car. The health, environmental, economic, and social benefits of riding a bicycle are gathering national attention more and more. You might not have ridden a bicycle since you were a kid, but chances are, you are considering it again. Our Education workshops are a great way to get comfortable on a bicycle again and will help you ride more in the future.

Types of Workshops

Road Skills 101 Workshop

Road Skills 101 combines in-class learning with on the road practice in a single session. This class is offered a various locations across the county and is a prerequisite for those interested in earning League Certified Instructor (LCI) certification from the League of American Bicyclists.

An introduction to the basic rules of the road
The laws that apply to bicycles (stop signs, lights, wrong-way riding, etc…)
Techniques to increase predictability and visibility while riding
A brief video that illustrates the topics we reviewed
Dispel common misconceptions about bicycle riding
Review of local intersections and how to approach them on a bicycle
Review of basic bicycle components
Review of the basic rules of the road (previously covered in the classroom)
Practice bicycle handling skills before the ride (braking, signaling, etc…)
Set out on the road to ride (leaving and ending at the same location)
Emphasis on predictability and visibility with all road users
Post-ride review and reflections
Q & A

*A bicycle and helmet are required to participate in the on-the-road portion of this workshop.

Bike Smart At Work

A one-hour Bike Smart Workshop for your business. We use an abbreviated curriculum to accommodate a one-hour lunch break. We will come to your business during lunch or work hours to educate you and your employees.

These workshops are available as a perk for Bike SLO County Business Members only, learn more here.

Bike Smart in Class

We are always excited to get bicycle education in our schools! Teaching the younger generations about the joy of bicycles is something we are very passionate about and would love to come to your school and teach an assembly for students.

Maintenance Classes

Bike SLO County offers a wide range of Maintenance Classes, from the Basics to more involved courses like our Wheel Workshops and our Bike Rebuild Workshops. Regardless of your skill level, chances are we have a course that’s just right for you.

Basic Bike Maintenance: This class goes over the basics of maintaining your bike and recognizing smaller problems. We will cover the basics to adjusting brakes, shifters, derailleurs, and bike fit. Tips to proper lubing/cleaning and recognition of problems where you might need to go to a shop or use our Bike Kitchen program. Classes appropriate for ages 14 – 99.

Flat Fixing Field Trip: We will be teaching the proper techniques needed to fix a flat and then applying that knowledge after a ride. This will include the removal of wheels, tires, and tubes. Helmets and a working bike are required. A portion of this class has been covered by SLO City. This class is appropriate for ages 14 – 99.

Intermediate Bike Maintenance: (Prerequisite: Our Basic Bike Maintenance or equivalent will be required to attend.) In this class, we will teach how to adjust various systems of a bicycle including the headset, the bottom bracket, and the drivetrain. This is a smaller class size appropriate for someone ages 14 – 99. All students will receive one day of free access to our Bike Kitchen program the same weekend.

Wheel Workshop: (Prerequisite: Our Basic Bike Maintenance or equivalent will be required to attend.) We will go over the basics of repairing damaged wheels and hubs. All students will receive one day of free access to our Bike Kitchen program the same weekend. This class is a prerequisite for our Wheel Building Class and is appropriate for someone ages 14 – 99.

Bike Rebuild Workshop: Learn bicycle maintenance by dismantling and rebuilding a bicycle for restoration. Students will be guided through purchasing appropriate parts and have the opportunity to powder coat through a local company, for an additional cost. Some parts* will be included in the registration fees. This class is taught one day a week for three consecutive weeks by the Bike SLO County and certified League instructors using the curriculum from the League of American Bicyclists.

Contact:

Email Bike Education Coordinator at education@bikeslocounty.org to schedule a Bike Education class or assembly. You can also call our main line at 805-547-2055 or reach our education coordinator Julia at 707-228-8207.

Bike Smart in The Classroom

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What is a Bike Smart Assembly?

A Bike Smart Assembly provides foundational safety information, rules of the road, common crashes and helmet wearing.
Our assemblies are taught by League of American Bicyclists Certified Cycling Instructors.
Our fun digital presentation is complimented by call and response personal interactive approach to reach all learning types.
Assemblies are academic and held during school hours, typically in the multi-purpose room. Students do not ride bicycles during the assembly, nor are they required to own a bicycle or helmet.
- After hosting an assembly your school you can, upon request, partner with Bike SLO County to provide free grant funded helmets to students in need.

Why should we host a Bike Smart Assembly for our students?

Teaching safe behavior is an essential component of all efforts to encourage biking and walking to school.
In 1969, 50% of children biked and walked to school. Most recent numbers from 2009 show that now, just 13% of children bike and walk to school.
With childhood obesity on the rise, sedentary lifestyles and traffic congestion in school zones, encouraging biking and walking to school provides opportunities for children and their parents to actively address these trends.
Numerous studies show that when kids bike and walk to school, release their energy and are better, more attentive students in the classroom.

How much does a Bike Smart Assembly cost?

They are FREE!
All expenses are covered through grants provided by Rideshare’s Safe Routes to School program, the City of San Luis Obispo, and the SLO County Health Department Office of Traffic Safety program.

What schools have you hosted assemblies before?

We have hosted assembles at lots of schools throughout the County, and the list is always growing!
- Bishops Peak, Hawthorne, Pacheco, Monarch Grove, Los Ranchos, Grover Beach, Grover Heights, Ocean View, Oceano, Georgia Brown, Del Mar, Fairgrove, Dorothea Lange, Santa Rosa, San Gabriel, Lillian Larsen, Cappy Culver, Georgia Brown, Virginia Petersen, and SLO Family Montessori.

How long are the assemblies?

Assemblies are usually 30 minutes.

How do I schedule an assembly at my school?

Fill out the form at the bottom of this page and our Education Coordinator will be in touch with you, we are always excited to teach kids how to bike smart!
To help speed the process, please include your school name and a few dates/times that would work for you.

Do you have a flier I can share with the administration at my school?

Yes, we do! You can download it here to share the merits of a Bike Smart Assembly with them.

Are there helmets available for students in need?

After hosting an assembly your school you can, upon request, partner with Bike SLO County to provide free grant funded helmets to students in need.

Bike Safety Videos

Get a wide variety of information about e-bikes and e-bike safety using E-Bike Smart’s video series below:

Bike Education Contact

Don’t see the class you want or a date that works for you? Have additional questions?

Please contact Julia Valentine, our Bike Education Program Coordinator for more information:

Email education@bikeslocounty.org or call 805-547-2055.

Bike Education Sponsors

See what our students are saying!

“After completing the workshop, I am more aware of potential safety hazards on the road, and I feel confident when bicycling around town and to work. It’s well worth your time, whether you are new to cycling or a seasoned rider.”

“These are critical skills for inexperienced cyclists to learn.”

“Even for someone who rides frequently, there is plenty to learn.”

“I believe it’s a good basic skills class that will, in fact, provide important tidbits of information that could prevent an accident on my bicycle.”

“The workshop helps you both as a bicycle rider and a driver.”