As the riding weather keeps flying by, it's great to see so many people on their bikes. And what's better than a lot of people biking around? Even MORE people biking around! We have two classes coming up soon that will help get even more people on their bikes, and keep them safe while doing it, to boot. See below for details, and if you have any questions, email [email protected].

What: Basics of Better Biking (an on-bike class)
When: Saturday, August 25, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: Meet at South Station's Main Entrance, Boston
RSVP: This class is free and open to the public thanks to the support of the Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness. To register, email [email protected].

The Basics of Better Biking 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. This four-hour weekend session provides guided instruction with simple practice drills in a parking lot, easy-paced riding on local roadways for short distances, and group-discussion breaks along the way. 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.

• • A bicycle in good working order and a helmet are required.

• • Preregistration is required.

• • This class is intended for participants 18 and older. For minors wishing to take the class, please contact Price at [email protected].

• • Sometimes we have to cancel a class due to low registration. We will let you know no less than three days in advance if the class is canceled.

What: Bikeable Communities Training (Part 1)
When: Thursday, August 16, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Northern Berkshire YMCA, 22 Brickyard Court, N. Adams
RSVP: This class is free and open to the public thanks to the support of Mass in Motion. To register, email [email protected].

This first installment of our Bikeable Communities Training focuses on the decision making process and how engaged citizens can fit into the process to make their communities better for biking. Some specific points are:

• • How the decision-making process works for local projects and policies, and the interaction between local, state, and federal entities when making those decisions.

• • An overview of how projects are funded, and explanations of how the public is involved in the various stages of those funding decisions.

• • Building alliances with citizens and organizations sharing complementary goals or missions, and maintaining momentum behind efforts that can sometimes take years.

• • Case studies on successful bicycle initiatives and an overview of lessons learned.