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The Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board is offering "Confident City Cycling" courses to West Virginia University students and Monongalia County residents every Monday evening.
Traffic Skills 101, the core of the League of American Cyclists’ Smart Cycling program, is a nine-week program that teaches cyclists everything from picking out the best bike for each rider to training each rider to enjoy every ride from start to finish.
Frank Gmeindl, a certified instructor for the League of American Bicyclists and Chairman of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board, teaches the courses.
"I teach this course with the purpose to teach cyclists to maximize their visibility and their predictability," Gmeindl said. "When a cyclist’s visibility is maximized, they’re less likely to be hit by a car. The best way to be predictable is just to drive your bicycle as you drive your car."
Gmeindl said the course covers a different topic each Monday: bicycle form, fit and function; basic maintenance, clothing and equipment; basic handling skills, bicycling in traffic, avoiding crashes, efficiency, power and endurance; and riding with groups and on the trail.
The ninth week will consist of a road and written test if people want to participate, whether just to know their scores or to be used if they plan to continue on to eventually become an instructor themselves, Gmeindl said.
The first hour of the course is a classroom discussion, followed by an informal leisurely ride through Morgantown.
Though the courses began March 15 and will end May 10, Gmeindl said individuals can register at any time.
Even if they missed a week, the courses will begin again after the ninth week so they will have the opportunity to take the missed course.
"It’s a constantly revolving schedule," Gmeindl said. "Every 10th week it will start again."
Ryan Post, coach for the WVU cycling club, took the course three months ago with a few members of the cycling club and said he learned a lot.
"I gained confidence to ride even the scariest roads in Morgantown," Post said. "I know any student who is afraid of cars will be less afraid, and I know that no matter how much you think you know about cycling, there is more to learn; and if you’re willing, the course will teach you something."
Post, a 2008 graduate of WVU, recently became a certified instructor to teach the course and said offers something for everyone, even the most experienced cyclists.
Gmeindl said it focuses on teaching cyclists to conquer their fears while riding in traffic.
"It’s more of a fear-obliteration course," Gmeindl said. "It’s not really how to ride your bicycle more safely, it’s how to ride your bicycle more fearlessly."
The courses were provided by a Transportation Enhancement Program Grant from Gov. Joe Manchin.
The course is free to all WVU students, faculty and staff; $20 for residents of Monongalia County with no WVU affiliation and $40 for residents outside of Monongalia County with no WVU affiliation.
To register or for more information, visit www.morgantown.com/Confident-cycling.htm.
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