The Education Program has really gotten rolling this summer! We were excited to offer our first Bikeable Communities Training in Northampton on June 30th, and had a good crowd of advocates there to learn about the process of making positive change. We also held our first on-bike skills class for the summer on June 24th, and are looking forward to more classes in the coming months. Read below for more information.

Bikeable Communities Training

The class in Northampton went well, with about a dozen people joining to learn more about the local decision making process. The training went over the different levels of government (local, regional, state and federal) and their role in the process. More importantly, the presentation focused on how individuals and community groups can plug into the process to influence the decisions being made. In the end, breakout sessions identified two potential projects for the Pioneer Valley - better bike facilities on Route 5 in S. Deerfield, and a community-based child education program at a local elementary school.

Next Training

While the details are still coming together, the Bikeable Communities Training will be held next in Berkshire County in the middle of August. The specifics (date and location) will be announced in the coming days, but if you are in the area, please do send an email to [email protected] to find out more information.

Basics of Better Biking (On-Bike Class)

The next four-hour on-bike skills class, Basics of Better Biking, will be held on Saturday, July 21 at Boston University. The class is designed for adults who want to get back into bicycling, improve cycling skills, learn to ride more effectively and safely in traffic, and/or participate in a large-scale benefit ride. Topics covered include bike and helmet fitting, starting and stopping your bike in traffic, shifting gears, scanning and yielding, choosing the correct lane position in the road, handling intersections, and more.

To register, send an email to [email protected] by Friday, July 20.

Next Class

Saturday, July 21st, 9:00 - 1:00 PM
Boston University, Agganis Arena (Meet at the corner of Harry Agganis Way and Commonwealth Ave.)
Pre-registration required.
For more information, click here.