Free "Basic Street Skills" Bicycle Safety Classes for Adults

Free Basic Street Skills bicycle safety classes are held ten times per year at various locations throughout Marin County. The mid-week, evening classes are made possible by a recent $25 million federal grant funding the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP) in Marin County and the collaboration between WalkBikeMarin, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Marin Law Enforcement, Marin General Hospital, the County of Marin, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Cyclists are the most vulnerable users of public roads; this class will teach you how to ride and drive defensively and avoid road rage behaviors.

Traffic Ticket Reduction

These classes uniquely allow bicycle traffic infraction citation fee reduction through class attendance. The Marin County Superior Court will refund a portion of the traffic infraction citation fee upon successfully completing the class (refunds depend on each defendant’s circumstances). This partnership with Marin County Superior Court is the second of its kind in the Bay Area to provide bicycle education as a traffic court option.

Please bring a copy of your citation to the class for inclusion on your Certifcate of Attendance.

What You'll Learn

In just two hours, this powerpoint and interactive presentation will teach participants to safely and confidently use a bicycle for transportation. Topics covered include how to avoid crashes and citations, improve visibility, ride through intersections, the legal rights and obligations of cyclists, and more. Drivers benefit from the class as well, by learning how and why bicycles maneuver on the roads.

A bicycle is not necessary for the class, unless you plan to ride one there!

When and Where to Go

Classes are held throughout Marin County; please consult the list below for dates and locations.

• Thursday, August 26th, 6:30-8:30 PM - Margaret Todd Senior Center, Novato
• Tuesday, September 21st, 6:30-8:30 PM - Marin General Hospital, Tamalpais/Magnolia Room
• Tuesday, October 19th, 6:30-8:30 PM - Sausalito City Hall, Edgewater Room
• Tuesday, November 9th, 6:30-8:30 PM - Mill Valley Community Center

Class Locations:

• Novato - Margaret Todd Senior Center in the Hill Community Room Behind Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road. Get directions.
• Greenbrae - Marin General Hospital, 250 Bon Air Road. Get directions.
• Mill Valley - Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto. Get directions.
• Sausalito- City Hall- Parks and Recreation- Edgewater Room, 420 Litho Street. Get directions.

Class Registration

Cyclists and drivers aged 16 and up can register for a Basic Street Skills class.

Advance class registration is necessary. A confirmation will be sent to all who are registered for a class. Please register by providing your name, address, email, phone and class date in one of the following ways:

1. with our online web form
2. faxing to 415-456-9344
3. calling the Marin County Bicycle Coalition at 415-456-3469 ext. 8#
4. emailing streetskills@marinbike.org

American sign language interpreters and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling 415-499-6172 (TDD) or 415-499-6528 (voice) at least 72 hours in advance. Paratransit is available by calling Whistlestop Wheels at 415-454-0904. For bicycle and bus routes please contact 511.org or 415-817-1717

Class Instructor Frances Barbour

Frances has a long history of involvement in the cycling community. She became a committed bicycle commuter in college. After graduating she took-up road riding. She discovered the joys of mountain biking when she moved to the Bay Area. In 2000, Frances joined the MCBC at the Fairfax Festival. Needless to say, she loves the cycling life in Marin!

Frances' past professions include Outreach Coordinator for MCBC (2003-04), where she helped grow the organization's membership. Frances currently teaches the Safe Routes to School curriculum throughout Marin's public and private primary schools. She also conducts Share the Road presentations and Bike Commuting workshops for adults through the MCBC. Frances is a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor.

League-certified Chris Davis is the alternate instructor for the class.

For a listing of all Street Skills classes taught around the Bay Area by League Cycling Instructors (LCIs), visit http://bicycling.511.org/class_list.htm.

Bike Parking and Transit

Bike racks are available at all sites, but must be used at your own risk. Be sure to lock your bike to the rack and remove all valuables from it.

Marin General -To get to the racks from the West Entrance, go up the hill and merge left to the backside of the hospital; the parking station is just past the merge on the left past a trailer.

Mill Valley Community Center - Racks are located on the south side of the recreations center, on the pathway to the Aquatic Center.

Hill Community Room - Racks are located in the breezeway between the Margaret Todd Center and the Hill Community Room Building.

For more information see: www.goldengatetransit.org.

Click here to see the class poster (PDF format)
Click here to see the class brochure (PDF format)