An Introductory Cycling Course

Traffic Skills 101 is an intensive, nine-hour course that will provide you with instruction and guidance to utilize the basic principles of vehicular cycling.  This furthering of the cycling knowledge you already have will enable you to ride effectively and enjoyably in all types of situations and on all types of roads.

The course was designed by the League of American Bicyclists (L.A.B.) and is taught by a League-certified Cycling Instructor who has undergone extensive training.  Class size is purposely small to provide a greater amount of individual attention - usually six to eight students per instructor.

Traffic Skills 101 consists of approximately three hours of classroom instruction, with the remainder of the day devoted to hands-on activities, skills drills and a short road ride.  The on-the-road portion of the class may consist of any or all of the following: quiet residential streets; minor arterials; multi-lane low- and moderate- speed arterials with posted speeds no greater than 35 mph; protected (Left Turn Only lane and/or Left Turn Signal); and unprotected turns, on narrow and wide roads.

In other words, most situations you are likely to meet on our streets and roads.

Covered in the class will be the following (subject to change dependent upon time and the skill level of the students):

Classroom

• Agenda and Introductions

• Overview of Road Cycling Skills

• Cycling in Traffic

• Principles of Traffic Law

• Speed, lane, and destination positioning

Hands-On Your Bike

• Bicycle adjustment and cycling equipment

• Basic Bicycle Maintenance

• Pre-ride Safety Check/ABC Quick Check

• Gears and Gear Selection

• Derailleur and Brake Adjustment

• Fixing a Flat

On Your Bike

• Bicycle Handling Basics

• Emergency Maneuvers

• Short Group Ride

There is an optional multiple-choice exam of 30 questions designed to test your knowledge of what you have learned during the class and from the course material provided before the class.  Please note that if you intend to go on to certain other L.A.B. courses, Traffic Skills 101 may be a pre-requisite.  And if you plan to go on to become a League Cycling Instructor yourself, the exam is not optional and you must pass it with a score of at least 85%.

To see the structure of a typical class, click here.