[SDCBC] Where to begin? was Re: New Cyclist Education

[Jim Baross]

At 11:37 AM 6/26/2008, fuse at san.rr.com wrote:
- snip -

>I think you need to start with the bike shops.  Every time someone 
>purchases a bike, or hauls their cobwebbed bike out of the garage 
>and brings it to the LBS for a tune-up, they should go home with a 
>SDCBC flyer, a booklet on how to ride in traffic safely, and a 
>schedule of bike classes.

Bike shops (and how about the Big-Boxes of the area?) are certainly a 
contact point for bicyclists.... but how about replacing "you" with 
"we" and offer to help... maybe with the shop you use?... maybe first 
by checking with Kathy/SDCBC for ideas?... maybe coordinating this as 
a project? ... some efforts have been made over the last 20 years 
(Kathy knows some of what we've tried), but of course more could be 
done; by whom though? For instance, we for a year or so provided 
"hang tags" for bike shop bikes on display and/or with each one sold; 
tags listed safety tips and contacts for classes and SDCBC; that 
could happen again... or something better?

>What bike classes?  Well, the ones the SDCBC offers, for 
>starters.  But also, how about traffic cycling as a physical 
>education option in middle school?  Highschool?  Community 
>college?  Get 'em young -- before they have their driver's license 
>and so they HAVE to bike to get anywhere.

Again, though not a new idea, more could be done to make this happen, 
even State-wide.... sustainable mobility training for 
youth/everyone... Texas is doing it.

>Some LBS have free clinics that cover basics, with the compensation 
>being that you buy the stuff you need for your bike in the shop 
>afterwards.  What if we had instructors cooperate with the shops to 
>give a "commuter clinic" where the theory of cycling in traffic is 
>covered?  Then they go buy their panniers to carry their work 
>clothes.  Have a session covering traffic and leave out the bicycle 
>maintenance (which really needs its own clinic) and practice.  It is 
>not ideal, but I believe it may be better than nothing, which is 
>what I knew last month.

Set it up. I'd be likely to be available to do this again. Last time 
was at Adams Ave Bike Shop.

>(Last month I was riding on the sidewalks - often the wrong way - 
>because I thought it was dangerous to be in the road.  I read those 
>gory newspaper articles too.)
>
>I have no idea how to make this happen or who is going to pay for 
>it.  I don't even know if any of these ideas are feasible, or if 
>they are as terrible as my activist ability.  But if nothing else, 
>it sure would have helped me last month to have a flyer pointing me 
>in the right direction attached to my shiny new bicycle.

You/we and many others HAVE come a long way; congratulations are in 
order - but lots more needs to and could be done! In many ways better 
bicycling is one of the best kept secrets in the region. Your ideas 
are feasible with the right approach and enough resources.

So, what more can WE ALL do? How about looking around for what YOU 
could bring; money, time, talent, interest, connections, etc. AT 
LEAST be the best "ambassador of bicycling" you can be on the road, 
in conversation, participating in your community, contacting an 
elected official, signing up a friend, .... What (more) can you do?

Jim (does some stuff) Baross