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Bicycling 101
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Bob Shanteau
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Nov 04, 2009 20:54 PST
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I saw this originally on the Biking Roseville mailing list. I asked Greg
if it was OK to share it statewide and he said yes.
Bob Shanteau
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Last weekend I was able to participate in a fun learning experience. I
took a /League of American Bicyclists /Bike class from David and Chris,
of Biking Roseville fame, and got a couple of great tips on how to be
safer while commuting by bike.
This program consisted of two sessions, a classroom component and a
practical component in which we put the information gleaned from the
first class into practice.
Originally, I signed up for this class because my wife made it clear
that it would make her feel better about me riding around Roseville's
streets on a bicycle. I did not think I would learn much, but I like
bikes and love my wife, so decided to sign up. I am glad I did. After
the first class, I was looking forward to the second.
I am an experienced vehicular bicyclist and have been riding on the
roads since high school (20 yrs ago?!?) and learned the rules as I went.
I could have learned all that in this class and saved myself a couple of
scrapes and bruises. On top of that, I learned a bit more. However, this
is not the most valuable part of the experience for me. These classes
have helped me be less irritable on the road. It can be very hard not to
think that it is us against them, and that we must constantly fight for
a space. These classes helped me understand that I am a road user; I
have a right to be there, I am not in the way, and that boneheaded thing
that that car did may not have been intentional. Right after the first
class, I noticed that I arrive at work or home irate less often and that
I enjoy more of the ride. These classes have let me be a road user
trying to negotiate my commute instead of a combatant trying to fight
for a spot.
Besides, the class turned out to be really fun. If you haven't already,
you should think about taking a class like this. If you have, post your
experience. It would be great to read about it.
Be Safe~
Greg
***
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