Traffic Skills 101: Putting It All Together

Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of posting a series of articles here that summarize the League of American Bicyclists Traffic Skills 101 curriculum.  As a League Certified Instructor (LCI #4661), I am passionate about helping cyclists develop the skills necessary to become vehicular bicyclists and use bicycles as their primary means of transportation.  

This is very personal to me.   My wife and I recently sold our home and one of our cars and are reordering our lives so that we can do this ourselves.  It’s a very exciting journey and one I’d like you to join us on.

As part of the Bike League’s Smart Cycling series, Traffic Skills 101 teaches you most everything you need to know to ride safely and with confidence in a variety of traffic situations.  It takes the mystery out of it and helps you become proficient.  What was once difficult to imagine becomes easy and fun once you master it, and Traffic Skills 101 allows you to master cycling on the roads.

As a result, I strongly urge you to consider taking this fantastic nine hour course that combines a classroom session with practical, on-the-bike experience.   You’ll practice drills in a parking lot before hitting the road under your instructor’s watchful eye.  It will make you a better cyclist.  It just might change your life.  

If you’re ready to get started, visit BikeLeague.org and enter your zip code under “Connect Locally” in the lower left hand corner of the page.  This will bring you to a screen that shows local resources.  Click on League Certified Instructors and then contact several of them and tell them that you want to take Traffic Skills 101.  All instructors are independent contractors, so prices will vary.  It’s important to find an instructor you’re comfortable with.  

You’ll get a certificate when you successfully complete the class,  but this is really just the beginning.  As you practice what you learn, you will become more proficient and confident.   Practice makes perfect, right?  Best of all, this kind of practice isn’t drudgery.  It’s fun!   All you have to do is saddle up and ride.  Ride the roads.  Ride the trails. Ride wherever you’re comfortable.  There’s just one rule…RIDE and SMILE…not that you need to be told that.  

Feel free to reach out if I can help.  Happy Trails!

This is the final article in an eleven part series on the League of American Bicyclists Safe Cycling Series by Bob Sharpe, League Certified Cyclist (LCI #4661)

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Bob Sharpe is a League of American Bicyclists Certified Cycling Instructor and founder of Bike 5, a movement that encourages people to bicycle for short trips of five miles or less.  You can reach him directly through the Bike 5 page on Facebook.

This article is one of a 11-part series on the basics of riding on the road and covering the primary topics found in the League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling course.

Read all 11 articles in Bob's Safe Cycling Series here.

Find more resources for better bicycling on our Bicycle Skills and Safety page.

Improving safety for Missourians who bicycle, walk, and drive is one of the primary goals of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri. Work to educate and inform Missourians about important safety and skills topics such as those found in this series on safe bicycling is an important part of that effort.

Your ongoing membership and generous financial support help turn our Vision into reality!