Free "Basic Street Skills" Bicycle Safety Classes for Adults
Ongoing, free Basic Street Skills bicycle safety classes are held at Marin General Hospital's Greenbrae facility. The mid-week, evening classes are made possible by a collaboration between the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Marin Law Enforcement, REI, 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
All classes are held at Marin General Hospital Conference Center, 250 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae. Classes are offered at the following days and times:
Thursday, July 10, 2008: 6:30-8:30 PM
Thursday, September 25, 2008: 6:30-8:30 PM
Thursday, November 20, 2008: 6:30-8:30 PM
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:
- on-line at www.marinbike.org
- faxing to 415-456-9344
- calling the Marin County Bicycle Coalition at 415-456-3469 ext. 7#
- emailing streetskills@marinbike.org
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 Marin General Hospital, but must be used at your own risk. Be sure to lock your bike to the rack and remove all valuables from it. 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.
Golden Gate Transit bus Route 29 stops directly at MGH every half hour, including 6:05 PM (in time for the 6:30 class). Route 29 does not run past 8:03 PM; however, you can pick up the Route 22 bus at Magnolia and Ward in Larkspur at 9:01 PM Southbound or 9:27 PM Northbound (to San Rafael). 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)
