Basic Cycling Techniques

Course Description

Expand your bike handling skills with others who are at your skill level. Basic Cycling Techniques (BCT) is for electric or traditional bike riders who know how to ride but who would like to become more comfortable and confident. Do you want to become a pro at taking your hands off the handlebars to signal, or to stop quickly and safely in an emergency, or to shift your gears efficiently? The class allows you to practice bike-handling techniques and culminates in a ride in the park to solidify what we’ve learned by riding on low-traffic streets nearby.

Essential Biking Knowledge is a PRE-REQUISITE for this class. 

BCT is based on the League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling curriculum 

Learn how to:

• Check your bike for safety before each trip
• Properly fit a helmet
• Check your bike fit
• Start riding efficiently
• Stop elegantly
• Ride in a straight line
• Turn gracefully
• Identify traffic and hazards
• Signal your intentions to other road users
• Shift gears
• Ride safely in a small group
• Apply basic principles of traffic safety

Small class sizes and low instructor to student ratio allow the content to be tailored to your level.

Pre-requisites: Essential Biking Knowledge is a prerequisite for this on-bike group class

Sign up for Basic Cycling Techniques if you can:

• Student is able to ride in a straight line for at least 100 yards
• Student is able to turn the bike to the left and to the right with control
• Student is able to stop using both brakes while maintaining control of the bike
• Student is able to make simple gear changes and knows which hand controls front and rear shifting

If you have difficulty with any of these skills, please consider joining us for our Learn to Ride lessons.

Type of bike this class is for/ how to prepare:

• Bring a traditional or electric bike in good working order (brakes working and tires pumped up). 
• Bring a CPSC approved helmet. 
• Bring water and be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothing, as the class will be held outside, rain or shine. 
• If you are unable to bring a bike to class one can be provided for you: email adultclasses@cascade.org to ask about bike availability before you register for the class. We cannot guarantee that it will have similar components to your personal bike.

Class Size: minimum 5, maximum 9

Youth attendance: Though this class is designed for adults, students ages 13 and older can register with a parent or guardian. See more information here 

Other classes you may be interested in: Fix-a-Flat, Maintenance for Every Rider, Essential Biking Knowledge, Urban Cycling Techniques; 

Contacts: adultclasses@cascade.org

Edited on 2/28/23