Active Trans to offer safe cycling classes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2015

Media Contact: 

Ted Villaire
Active Transportation Alliance
Communications Director 
O: (312) 216-0484
C: (312) 563-1118
ted@activetrans.org

Active Transportation Alliance to offer safe cycling classes

Group aims to help aspiring cyclists learn the rules of the road

Chicago, Ill., March 20, 2015 – With the city of Chicago installing nearly 100 miles of protected and buffered bike lanes in recent years and many suburbs adding more biking infrastructure, there’s no doubt the region is becoming a friendlier place to ride a bike. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of Chicagoans biking to work has risen more than 150 percent in the past fifteen years. Despite these advances, many people are nervous about getting on two wheels. Beginning this May, the Active Transportation Alliance is hoping change that.

“While there’s no question that Chicago and many suburb communities are more bikable than ever, it’s perfectly natural to have some anxiety about sharing the roadway with motor traffic,” says Active Transportation Alliance’s Executive Director Ron Burke. “Our aim is to reach out to those individuals who see all the fun and convenience of city cycling, but would like to learn some ‘tricks of the trade’ before trekking out on their own.”

Beginning May 9th, the Active Transportation Alliance will host City Cycling classes at its River North headquarters. The classes are open to adults and teenagers, and will consist of 1.5 hours of classroom instruction and 1.5 hours of on-street instruction. 

Attendees can expect to learn basic traffic skills, tips on choosing a bike, maintenance and plenty of advice on staying safe while riding. The classes will be held every second Saturday morning of the month, and will be open to the general public. Upcoming classes will be held May 9, June 13, July 11 and August 8. To learn more and sign up, visit activetrans.org/safecyclingclass.

Classes will be taught by instructors licensed by the League of American Bicyclists. “We want to keep classes relatively low-cost and accessible to anyone wanting to get on two wheels,” says instructor Jason Jenkins. 

Classes will cost $15 for members of the Active Transportation Alliance and $50 for non-members (the non-member fee includes a $35 tax-deductible membership fee in the purchase price). 

To learn more and sign up, visit activetrans.org/safecyclingclass. 

This class is part of Active Trans’ ongoing effort to provide people biking with the resources they need to stay safe and learn the rules of the road. Please see our website for some great tips for people learning ride. 

We also some biking instruction videos available on our YouTube channel. 

Photos are available upon request. 

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The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is supported by more than 7,000 members and 1,000 volunteers. For more information about the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.