Brisbane City Council offers subscribers of its CityCycle scheme a confidence boost before they start tackling the City on two wheels.
The Council is inviting CityCycle subscribers to undertake a Cycling Confidence Course to improve their bicycle skills and brush up on their knowledge of road rules.
Public and Active Transport Chair Margaret de Wit said the opportunity to take part in a refresher course would improve the self confidence of those who haven’t ridden a bike for a while.
“The old adage about riding a bike is true, once you’ve learnt you never forget, but if it’s been a while this is a great way to sharpen up your skills,” Cr de Wit said.
The first part of the two hour course will be spent understanding the set up of a CityCycle bike and explaining simple features such as the gears and brakes.
Instructor Jan Stevenson from Brisbane based cycling company – Cycle Away – will be conducting the confidence courses and said a great deal of thought had been put into the design of the bikes for $20 per person.
“They’re incredibly solid and with only three gears along with reinforced puncture resistant tyres, they’re very easy to use,” she said.
“A guard over the rear wheel is a sensible addition for those who may be riding the bikes in suits and skirts as they commute to work.”
The course also aims to reinforce cycling road rules and explain what hand signals cyclists should use to make other road users aware of their intentions.
The final hour will be spent giving the bikes a test run along some of Brisbane’s many bike paths and quieter roads.
“This will give riders the chance to practice skills such as changing gears while climbing a hill and scanning over their shoulder before moving across a road,” Ms Stevenson said.
“Changing lanes is a big concern for many beginner cyclists. The same rules apply for bikes as they do for cars but we’ll be explaining the safest or prime position for a cyclist to occupy on the road.”
Fifteen subsidised courses will be held during October and additional courses are planned for the future.
Participants need to bring their own helmet along with their CityCycle subscriber cards and PIN. Courses will be held at West End and New Farm. All trainers have AustCycle Level 1 Teacher Accreditation.
The Council is inviting CityCycle subscribers to undertake a Cycling Confidence Course to improve their bicycle skills and brush up on their knowledge of road rules.
Public and Active Transport Chair Margaret de Wit said the opportunity to take part in a refresher course would improve the self confidence of those who haven’t ridden a bike for a while.
“The old adage about riding a bike is true, once you’ve learnt you never forget, but if it’s been a while this is a great way to sharpen up your skills,” Cr de Wit said.
The first part of the two hour course will be spent understanding the set up of a CityCycle bike and explaining simple features such as the gears and brakes.
Instructor Jan Stevenson from Brisbane based cycling company – Cycle Away – will be conducting the confidence courses and said a great deal of thought had been put into the design of the bikes for $20 per person.
“They’re incredibly solid and with only three gears along with reinforced puncture resistant tyres, they’re very easy to use,” she said.
“A guard over the rear wheel is a sensible addition for those who may be riding the bikes in suits and skirts as they commute to work.”
The course also aims to reinforce cycling road rules and explain what hand signals cyclists should use to make other road users aware of their intentions.
The final hour will be spent giving the bikes a test run along some of Brisbane’s many bike paths and quieter roads.
“This will give riders the chance to practice skills such as changing gears while climbing a hill and scanning over their shoulder before moving across a road,” Ms Stevenson said.
“Changing lanes is a big concern for many beginner cyclists. The same rules apply for bikes as they do for cars but we’ll be explaining the safest or prime position for a cyclist to occupy on the road.”
Fifteen subsidised courses will be held during October and additional courses are planned for the future.
Participants need to bring their own helmet along with their CityCycle subscriber cards and PIN. Courses will be held at West End and New Farm. All trainers have AustCycle Level 1 Teacher Accreditation.
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