Smart Cycling

There is a limit of 10 people in the classroom portion.  See below for a new Hybrid option.

I wish I got more enjoyment from my bicycle. I wish I knew how to repair my bike. I am timid about riding on the roads, especially with all the traffic.

Help is at hand! Take the Smart Cycling™ course offered through the Lancaster Bicycle Club. This course will give you the basics you need to more fully enjoy your bicycle. You'll get hands-on practice under the guidance of a highly experienced Instructor, specially trained and certified by the League of American Bicyclists. For a full description of the Smart Cycling program, please visit LAB Smart Cycling.

When: The next Smart Cycling class is on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm.  The on-Bike training will be Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm.  

Registration:  The course is open to members and non-members.  Click here to register for the complete in person experience Smart Cycling - 9/24/2024 & 9/28/2024   LBC members who attend both sessions will get their deposit returned.  

Where: The Lancaster County Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd. This is one block east of Manheim Pike (Rt. 72) immediately south of the exit from Rt. 30 eastbound. Turn right at the bottom of the exit ramp and immediately get in the left lane to turn onto Service Rd. NOTE: There is no westbound exit from 30 onto Manheim Pike. Continue to Harrisburg Pike (1/2 mile farther west), get off there, and make two lefts to get onto the 30 eastbound ramp. Stay in the far right lane and exit onto Manheim Pike.

Instructor: Bill Hoffman, LCI #33

Equipment required: your bicycle and helmet. Also recommended are a bike-mounted water bottle and pump, and spare inner tube and patch kit. You'll find out what tools you'll need during the course, but you probably already have some of them around the house. Bring your bike and helmet to each class. NOTE: Bikes with coaster brakes (foot-operated) are not accepted. These brakes are not as safe as hand-operated brakes. Disk brakes are OK. Single-speed bike are OK but may handicap you climbing hills.

Why you should take the course: Whether you're a beginner or not, there is a lot to learn in Smart Cycling. Everyone who takes it leaves at a higher skill level than when they entered. Smart Cycling may well be different than what you were expecting. Its primary emphasis is on vehicular-style cycling, which has been proven to be the safest and most efficient way to ride. You may be wondering-why 6 hours to learn bicycling when I already know how to ride? Several reasons:

1. We teach bicycle driving, not riding. There's a big difference. Much of the training you may have previously gotten, while well intended, is actually misguided, or in some cases, just plain wrong. Unlearning old, bad, habits usually takes longer than learning new ones from the start.

2. The emphasis is on hands-on learning and supervised practice, and that takes time. You might eventually figure out all these things on your own, but it'll take you much longer and you might make some costly mistakes in the process. Even if you do pick up the skills on your own, you won't know if you're performing them properly without an experienced instructor observing and coaching you. You might actually find yourself wishing for more class hours. 

Registration: Smart Cycling - 9/24/2024 & 9/28/2024 

If you have any questions, please contact Bill Hoffman or call (717) 560-3636.

Hybrid Option:

This year we will begin offering the course in a hybrid model.  You can take the classroom portion of the course online at your own pace.  After receiving your certificates of completion you can sign up for the on-bike and final certification portions of the Smart Cycling course with our LCIs.  

 

Our next on-bike session will be Sept. 28th at the same location listed above.   This is first come, first served.  If we get too many registrations we will try to set up additional training dates. 

Follow these links and instructions to take advantage of this online offer   

Click Here to get to the LAB Learning Center, then click create an account.  You do not have to become an LAB member or pay any money.

After you have created an account, you can sign up for the online Smart Cycling courses.  There are three knowledge sections, (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced),  plus an exam required to meet the classroom requirements.  There are up to 25 subsections within each of these knowledge sections.  Start now so you have plenty of time to complete these courses.  They are short and the website will keep track of your progress.     

Please use the League of American Bicyclists support if you have difficulty following these instructions.

After you complete these courses and have received your certificate, you can sign up for our on-bike Smart Cycling training date.  Click Here for the on-bike training.  Smart Cycling onbike training - 9/28/2024

We hope this hybrid opportunity promotes more use of the LAB Smart Cycling education.