Bike to Work Week 2012: May 28 – June 3

Full Day Bike to Work Skills Course

Learn to bike to work safely and confidently.

The Bike to Work Skills Course takes you through all of the most common traffic situations you’ll face on your commute. It also provides you with the tips you need to make cycle commuting a fun and regular part of your life.

This free 7.5 hour course combines classroom and on-road training and is designed for participants aged 18 and over.

Course Description Back to TopRegister

A 7.5 hour course that combines classroom and on-road training and is taught by nationally certified cycling instructors. It is intended to build traffic cycling proficiency for adults who want to ride to work.

You will learn how to:

  • Ride comfortably and safely in heavy traffic
  • Manoeuvre your bike effectively
  • Fit your bike properly and do your own bike safety check
  • Be prepared to ride at night and in the rain
  • Choose equipment and clothing
  • Route planning

The day is comprised of in class and on-road training, with an easily-paced 12 km route around Victoria’s core.

 

Morning:

  • Classroom: traffic theory, bike fit, cadence and gearing, helmet fit
  • Parking Lot: bike inspection, bike-handling exercises

 

Afternoon:

  • Classroom: traffic theory, review of on-road ride
  • On-Road: a 12 km ride through traffic, with frequent stops to debrief
  • Classroom: lighting, reflectivity, riding in the rain, route planning, clothing & gear, Q&A

An Introductory course is also available for those that are getting back into cycling after a long hiatus, are a bit wobbly, or scared - or all of the above!

What To Bring Back to TopRegister

  • Your commuting bike, in safe working condition*
  • Bike lock
  • Helmet (of course!)
  • Bag lunch & snacks for the road ride
  • Full water bottle(s)
  • Raingear or other appropriate clothing for the weather (layers are good)

*NOTE: It is very important that your bike is in safe and good working condition. If it is deemed unsafe to ride, you will not be allowed to participate in the ‘on-road’ component of the day. If in doubt, visit your neighbourhood bike shop.

At the class you will receive:

For more information contact marsha@biketowork.ca.

Dates & Locations*Back to Top–Register

Dates for 20121:  Spring dates will be announced soon.

 

1All courses will be held downtown unless otherwise noted.

Downtown Classes

  • Location: TBA
  • Time: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (please arrive by 8:45 am)

2Intro course for those who are really nervous or haven’t ridden a bike for a while! Must be able to ride a bike!

Register on-line NOW!

Please contact marsha@biketowork.  or call  920-5775 if you have any questions.

The cost to put on the course is $100 per person, but it is free for you, sponsored this year by the

CRD Traffic Safety Commission and the University of Victoria.

Age Restriction Back to TopRegister

You must be at least 18 years old to take this course.

Cost & Deposit Back to TopRegister

FREE! To ensure attendance, however, we require a $30 advance deposit. This will be returned to you—in full—at the class.

  • The $30 deposit must be in the form of a cheque or cash (no credit cards - sorry.) Please consider donating all or part of your deposit to support ongoing courses in the community.
  • Cheques should be made payable to the "Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society"
  • In order to complete your registration, payment must be received at the latest by 5pm on the Wednesday before your class.
  • Cheques will not be cashed if you attend your class; they will be returned to you upon your completion of the class.
  • If you need to cancel your spot, you must do so by 5 pm on the Wednesday before your class, or your deposit will be forfeited.
  • If we have to cancel a class, we will notify you by 5 pm on the Wednesday before your class, and return your deposit.

Please mail your deposit to:

Bike to Work Victoria
PO Box 8837
Victoria BC
V8W 3S3

 

BTW Events

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2011 Victoria Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 615
  • Total Cyclists 5712
  • New Cyclists 877
  • Total KMS Cycled 266174.14

2011 North Okanagan Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 59
  • Total Cyclists 346
  • New Cyclists 116
  • Total KMS Cycled 13374.45

2011 Oceanside Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 11
  • Total Cyclists 119
  • New Cyclists 16
  • Total KMS Cycled 1541.6

2011 Sunshine Coast Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 45
  • Total Cyclists 172
  • New Cyclists 28
  • Total KMS Cycled 7513.289

2011 Revelstoke Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 49
  • Total Cyclists 390
  • New Cyclists 90
  • Total KMS Cycled 12376.89

2011 Prince Rupert Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 1
  • Total Cyclists 6
  • New Cyclists 1
  • Total KMS Cycled 45

2011 Prince George Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 76
  • Total Cyclists 609
  • New Cyclists 98
  • Total KMS Cycled 17725.95

2011 Powell River Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 27
  • Total Cyclists 148
  • New Cyclists 53
  • Total KMS Cycled 5719.52

2011 Penticton Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 58
  • Total Cyclists 260
  • New Cyclists 30
  • Total KMS Cycled 9798.16

2011 Nanaimo Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 53
  • Total Cyclists 176
  • New Cyclists 47
  • Total KMS Cycled 7917.59

2011 Kootenays Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 4
  • Total Cyclists 14
  • New Cyclists N/A
  • Total KMS Cycled 2097.8

2011 Kelowna and Central Okanagan Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 261
  • Total Cyclists 1384
  • New Cyclists 312
  • Total KMS Cycled 61008.87

2011 Kamloops Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 73
  • Total Cyclists 301
  • New Cyclists 87
  • Total KMS Cycled 12696.74

2011 Fraser Valley Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 158
  • Total Cyclists 460
  • New Cyclists 149
  • Total KMS Cycled 19614.88

2011 Cowichan Valley Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 27
  • Total Cyclists 154
  • New Cyclists 46
  • Total KMS Cycled 6125.5

2011 Comox Valley Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 120
  • Total Cyclists 842
  • New Cyclists 175
  • Total KMS Cycled 24564.1

2011 Campbell River Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 111
  • Total Cyclists 428
  • New Cyclists 117
  • Total KMS Cycled 15421.78

2011 BC Communities Bike to Work Week

May 30th – June 5th

  • Registered Teams 52
  • Total Cyclists 122
  • New Cyclists 30
  • Total KMS Cycled 3830.04

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No workshops have been registered at this time.

Skills Course Testimonials

Most students were amazed at how much they didn’t know about cycling safely in traffic, and how much more confident they felt about being able to commute by bicycle after taking the course.
Many students spoke of their increased confidence in traffic and appreciation for proper communication and respect between car drivers and cyclists.
"During the course, the instructor said (paraphrase): "After you have taken this course, when you are driving in your car, you will be able to watch a cyclist, and know whether or not he has taken it." I have found this to be true. The rules are very specific, and clear. I now know most of the time exactly what to do to be a safe rider, and am appalled at cyclists doing what I used to do, like ride on a sidewalk, or let cars push them around." (B.M.)
"I honestly feel more confident and more visible on the road. I feel that I am able to respect drivers of vehicles more and that they have more respect for me. I am enjoying cycling even more now than I did before." (E.E.)
"I came into the course arrogantly thinking that I didn’t have that much to learn, however I was proven wrong there. It was a good course for all levels, because experienced riders can develop bad habits, just as beginner riders can feel intimidated. Both are situations that need to be corrected. It should be marketed for all levels." (L.G.M.)

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