Mon, 08/02/2010 - 6:30pm
August meeting: My bike is my office

Education

From our perspective, few activities are as enjoyable and invigoration as riding a bicycle. Through our Safety and Education Programs, we seek to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the joys of cycling in Central Texas. ACA Safety and Education Programs for adults and children are held throughout the year. Please check back often.

Education Reports


2010 01 27 ---- Education Director Report
2010 03 03 ---- Education Director Report
2010 03 31 ---- Education Director Report
2010 05 26 ---- Education Director Report


Funny name, serious mission

by Wes Robinson, Director of Education - Austin Cycling AssociationThe pole that holds the solar-powered box that uses radio waves to record when a student rides his or her bike to school stands near the front corner of Sommer Elementary and close to bike racks. (Photo by Gilbert D. Martinez)
The first and only Freiker student bike participation program in the state of Texas debuted Feb. 5, 2010 at Sommer Elementary School in far Northwest Austin.

ACA joined Bicycle Sport Shop, BikeTexas, and Trek Bicycles in kicking off the program at the school.  More than 300 children attended the kickoff, which also featured bike and helmet safety inspections, a bike rodeo, helmet fittings, and a bike parade attended by local offiicials.

How educated cyclists can become cycling educators: new classes debut

by Wes Robinson, Director of Education - Austin Cycling Association

Austin Cycling Association, in coordination with the League of American Bicyclists, Bicycle Sport Shop, and the National Bicycle Dealers Association, rolled out two new bicycle instructor programs on Nov. 21, 2009. Twenty youth instructors and two skills instructors were certified to teach basic bicycle safety to children and adults. Students included individuals from the YMCA, the City of Austin Child Safety Program, the City of Leander Fire Department, Safe Kids Austin, the Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities and Bicycle Sport Shop's mountain bike racing team. ACA hopes to offer youth and skills certification courses every quarter beginning in 2010, subject to enrollment minimums

How far is far enough?

by Preston Tyree, Director of Education - League of American Bicyclists
Door zone crashes may be responsible for 7 percent of the crashes that cyclists encounter. But they are responsible for a larger percentage in urban traffic, as much as 17 percent of the fatal crashes, as reported in one New York City report.

Cyclists who consistently ride in the "door zone" (that space that is next to a parked car that can be obstructed by an opening door) are setting themselves up for a case of road rash at best and possibly a serious injury or death. So, how far away from a parked car is far enough?
 

Cycling Skills Classes

The Austin Cycling Association in cooperation with the League of American Bicyclists and the National Bicycle Dealers Association offers the following classes designed to empower individuals to teach basic bicycle safety to youth and to improve adult cycling confidence.  ACA offers these classes quarterly, subject to class minimums.  All classes are taught by certified League Cycling Master Instructors.