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Bike NiagaraBike Niagara
Bike NiagaraBike Niagara
  • Home
  • About
  • Courses
  • News
  • Contact

    Courses

    Bike Niagara is demand responsive to requests for adult or children’s safe cycling courses.  To find out more about course content check the options below and for more details or to enquire about taking a course call (905) 892-4773.

    Course 1: Get Cycling - For Beginners & Re-Starters

    Selecting, buying and using a bike plus basic bike safety.  2.5 hours in the classroom.

    More Details

    Selecting, buying and using a bike plus basic bike safety.  2.5 hours in the classroom.

    Contents

    In this course emphasis is on selecting, buying and efficient use of the ideal bike for you.  Topics discussed include reviewing your cycling goals and where you plan to ride your bike.  Learn about frames, components, pedalling, cadence, using your gears and factors that affect your cycling such as hydration and nourishment. Topics will also include basic bike safety in urban and rural areas, group riding and bike handling skills.  Cyclists of all ages can attend this classroom session, but those under 14 years should be accompanied by an adult.

    Content Outline & Key Slide Titles (In Class – 2.5 hrs. 6:30pm – 9:00pm)

    Note: Contents may change slightly depending on Instructor

    Buying Your Bike

    • Goals, Where you ride, Comfort or Speed
    • Types of Cyclists
    • Types of Bikes and Selecting
    • Factors Affecting Cycling
    • Buying Strategies & Component Upgrades
    • Anatomy of a Bicycle
    • Frame, Drivetrain
    • Other Needs
    • Where Should I Buy

    Using Your Bike

    • First Principles of Cycling
    • Key factors
    • Drivetrain, gears, pedalling, cadence
    • Climbing, Turning, descending
    • Nourishment
    • Don’t Get Stranded

    Break– 10 min. break at about half time (7:45pm)

    Safety

    • Four Commandments of Safe Cycling
    • Riding in Traffic, urban and rural positioning
    • Position from curb
    • Wrong Way Riding
    • Obstructed Lanes, Narrow Lanes, Extra Wide Lanes
    • Parked Vehicles, Parked Cars
    • Passing on Right
    • Position at Intersection,
    • Destination Positioning
    • Right turns, Left Turns
    • Railway Tracks
    • Trucks
    • Bike Lanes
    • Rural Riding Considerations
    • Safety Equipment
    • Basic Handling Skills
    • Group Riding

    Course 2: On-Road Bike Skills - For Beginner & Intermediate Cyclists

    How to ride safely:  Handling skills, group riding & individual mentoring.  2.5 hours in classroom and on-bike, all attendees must be 14 years or older.

    More Details

    How to ride safely:  Handling skills, group riding & individual mentoring.  2.5 hours in classroom and on-bike, all attendees must be 14 years or older.

    Contents

    This course will focus on how to ride safely in traffic, both as individuals and as part of a group.  Topics include; principles of bicycle safety, the Highway Traffic Act, positioning on the roadway, safety equipment, signalling and turns.  Basic factors in how to efficiently use your bike will also be addressed such as gearing, pedaling and cadence, road climbing, turning, descending and braking.  We practice your bike handling skills on bike in a controlled parking lot setting.  Then we finish the session with a group ride to practice the skills that have been taught.

    For this session, you will need to bring your bicycle.  Helmets are mandatory, your bike must fit you properly and be in good working order.  Proper lighting and a bell are legal requirements.  This session is designed for bicyclists who have some experience riding in traffic but want to learn more or upgrade their skills.  Cyclists must be 14 years of age or older.

    Content Outline (In Class & On Bike – 2.5 hrs.)

    Note: Contents may change slightly depending on Instructor

    In Class – 45 min. 9:00am – 9:45am

    Using Your Bike

    • First Principles of Cycling
    • Key factors
    • Drivetrain, gears, pedalling, cadence
    • Turning, descending

    Safety

    • Principles of Bicycle Safety
    • Riding in Traffic, urban and rural
    • Safety Equipment

    Break – 15 min. transition to bikes

    On-Bike – 90 min. 10:00am – 11:30am

    Safety Check

    • Bike Legal Equipment
    • Helmet Check
    • Personal Equipment & Attire
    • Bike ABC Check

    Handling Skills in Parking Lot (5)

    • Straight Line Riding
    • Shoulder Checking
    • Signalling
    • Rock Dodge
    • Threshold/Emergency Braking

    Group Ride

    • Group riding skills
    • A learning fun ride on low volume roads and off-road trails if available

    Course 3: Rediscover Cycling!! One Course Combines Courses 1 and 2 above – Two Options

    Option 1 – In Class only 1 hr., Option 2 – add on-bike component for total of 3 hours

    In Class for everyone – 1 hr., 35 slides, 9:00am to 10:00am

    Break/Questions/Transition to Bikes – 15 min to 10:15am

    On Bike group outside for 1.75hrs, 10:15am to noon

    Bonus: 

    Upon registration and completion of any above course with an on-road component get a free one-year membership in the Niagara Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club (for new members only, $30 value).

    More Details

    Course 3:   Rediscover Cycling!!   One Course Combines Courses 1 and 2 above – Two options

    Option 1 – In Class only 1 hr., Option 2 – add on-bike component for total of 3 hours

    In Class for everyone – 1 hr., 35 slides, 9:00am to 10:00am

    Break/Questions/Transition to Bikes – 15 min to 10:15am

    On Bike group outside for 1.75hrs, 10:15am to noon

    Contents

    IN-CLASS

    9:00am Introduction – 4 slides

    Intro & Bike Niagara

    Selecting and Buying – In class – 6 slides

    What are your goals?

    Where will you ride?

    Do you want speed or comfort?

    Different cyclist types

    Selecting a bike

    Frame

    Where should I buy?

    Using Your Bike – In Class – 3 slides

    First principles of cycling

    Factors that affect cycling operation

    Drivetrain explained

    Using the gears

    Safety – In Class – 18 slides

    Principles of bicycle safety

    Highway Traffic Act

    Basic approach to safe cycling

    How to ride safely in traffic – urban and rural

    • Cyclist position from the curb
    • Obstructed lanes
    • Narrow lanes
    • Parked vehicles
    • Passing on right
    • Position at intersections
    • Destination Positioning
    • Turns
    • Railway tracks
    • Trucks
    • Off Road Bike Paths
    • Sidewalks
    • Rural Riding Considerations

    Safety Equipment – 4 slides

    • Bike safety equipment by law
    • Helmets
    • Personal equipment & attire
    • Bike check

    10:00am Break/Questions – 1 slide

    Transition to Bikes – Parking lot

     ON-BIKES

    10:15am Safety Equipment Review

     10:45am Bike Handling Skills  

    • Straight line riding
    • Shoulder checking
    • Signalling
    • Rock dodge
    • Threshold/emergency braking

    Group Riding Skills

    11:15am Group Ride – On bike on local roads ends at noon

    Adult and Children Learn to Ride

    This is a 3 to 4 hour course for individuals of all ages who have never learned how to ride a bicycle.  The focus is on mastering balance, basic bike riding skills and riding comfortably.

    More Details

    This is a 3 to 4 hour course for individuals of all ages who have never learned how to ride a bicycle.  The focus is on mastering balance, basic bike riding skills and riding comfortably.

    Contents

    Course Duration: 3 hrs. (180 min.)  The time allotments below are estimates and flexible.  We could also do the course over 2 separate time periods of 1.5hrs. each if that proves to be more convenient and workable.

    1. Introduction and Registration – 10 min
    2. Helmet and Bike Fundamentals – 30 min
    • Helmet information and fit
    • How a bike works
    • Power transmission
    • Steering
    • Brakes
    • Gears
    • Bike Fit
    • Bike ABC Quick Check
    1. Learn to Ride (including rest breaks) – 90 min
    • Coast & Balance
    • Pedal and Steer
    • Go and Stop

    If time and student progress permits

    • Straight Line Riding
    • Braking
    • Riding with one hand
    • Shoulder checks
    • Signals
    • Gearing
    1. Concurrent Topics (during ALR ride sessions) – 30 min.
    • Bike safety equipment
    • Clothing and carrying things
    • Bike type and uses
    • Bike parts
    • Bike security
    1. Next steps – 10 min.
    • Practice tips
    • Other courses
    1. Recap – 10 min.
    • Questions
    • Debrief

    Bicycle Rodeos for Children

    Both classroom and playground components are offered for schools and community groups.  A structured format is provided which covers pre-ride essentials including helmets, bike checks and personal checks. The in-class session covers safety considerations and principals, road positioning, and sidewalks, with a video highlighting important safety messages.  The playground set-up gives the opportunity to learn and practice essential handling skills including straight line riding, braking, shoulder checking, signalling and gearing.  An on-road component is optional depending on the availability of adult supervisors and low volume local roads.

    Currently Bike Niagara is partnering with Heart Niagara to help implement bike rodeos in elementary schools across Niagara

    More Details

    Both classroom and playground components are offered for schools and community groups.  A structured format is provided which covers pre-ride essentials including helmets, bike checks and personal checks.

    Contents

    The in-class session covers safety considerations and principals, road positioning, and sidewalks, with a video highlighting important safety messages.  The playground set-up gives the opportunity to learn and practice essential handling skills including straight line riding, braking, shoulder checking, signalling and gearing.  An on-road component is optional depending on the availability of adult supervisors and low volume local roads.

    At this time Bike Niagara is partnering with Heart Niagara to help implement bike rodeos in elementary schools across Niagara

    Rodeo Summary Outline – General Overview                                                            

    Approach:

    • Pre-rodeo set-up
      • Permission from School or Community Group then Letter to parents and children outlining requirements
        • Waiver needed
        • Bike in good operating condition
        • Certified Bicycle Helmets mandatory
      • Night before mark out playground rodeo, or one hour needed before rodeo starts
      • If off site ride allowed, then route must be identified beforehand
    • Format
      • Experienced adult volunteers, and or senior students helping with on-bike outside sessions
      • Bike instructors doing the class-room sessions if there is this opportunity
      • No offsite ride unless permission obtained

    Components:

    1. In-Class (consider on a separate day before outdoor/on-bike session)
    2. On-Bikes within playground (handling skills and games)
    3. On-road/on-trail ride? (only if permission obtained)

    In-Class– Power Point Slides, Static Bicycle Demonstration. Flip Chart, Question and Answers

    Slides & Video? – depends on amount to time available

    Introduction

    • Safe cycling instructor, assistants
    • Course contents & purpose
    • Cycling Benefits

    The Bicycle

    • Choosing a Bicycle
    • Types of Bicycles and uses
    • Bike parts
    • Bicycle Security

    Safety Equipment—Before You Ride

    • Helmet Information and Fit
    • Brain in a Crash
    • Bike Adjustment and Fit
    • Safety equipment by law
    • ABC quick check
    • Personal equipment, attire and carrying things

    Traffic Dynamics – On Road, Trails and Sidewalk

    • Bicycle Safety Considerations
    • Traffic Cycling Principles (5)
    • See, Be seen and Be Predictable
    • MVPC – maneuverability, visibility, predictability, communications
    • Sidewalks

    Bike Operation & Handling Skills – Tips and Why Important

    • How a bike operates
    • Outside tarmac rodeo set-up
    • Straight line riding – Balance, gearing, position from the curb, & wrong-way riding
    • Braking/Stopping (Quick Stop) – to avoid hitting obstacles and stopping at stop signs
    • Shoulder checking – Look before turning
    • Signaling – 4 hand signals, road signs & traffic signals
    • Games – Rock dodge, serpentine, turning obstacle course, & slow race – avoiding obstacles and turning

    Video

    • Bike Safety – Bill Nye the Science Guy (16 min.)

    On-Bike– In Parking Lot or School Tarmac Playground with Bikes

    • Outside rodeo layout
    • Stations
    1. Helmet Check, Bike Check, Personal Check (clothing, carrying things)
    2. Straight Line Riding & Brake, Stop & Go
    3. Shoulder Checking
    4. Signalling
    5. Games – Rock Dodge
    6. Games – Serpentine
    7. Games – Turning (within a 1.5′ border)
    8. Games – Slow Race

    On-road Ride?

    Only with permissions from school & parents

    Recent Posts

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    • Year End Reports 2024
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    • Bike Niagara Activities 2023, Year End Report

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    ABOUT US

    Bike Niagara is a new community service organization, formed by a group of local Cycling enthusiasts interested in helping people get started on bike riding, promoting safe cycling and improving the capability of cyclists.

    Bike Niagara was conceived in 2011, when four friends (Ted Higgins, Dave Hunt, Walt Berg and Gary Murphy) decided they wanted to create an organization dedicated to giving cycling advice to residents of the Niagara Region.

    Bike Niagara Courses

    Thinking about starting to ride a bicycle? Getting back into cycling? Want to ride with greater confidence? Bike Rodeos for Children?

    If you answered Yes to any of those questions, you should attend one of our educational courses.

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    Useful Links

    Niagara Cycling Clubs
    Niagara Cycling Clubs Alliance
    Niagara Falls Trails & Cycling
    Share the Road Cycling Coalition
    Ontario By Bike: Niagara Region
    Niagara Cycling Tourism Centre
    Bicycle Routes in Niagara
    Niagara Cycling
    Heart Niagara Cycling Safety

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