For more info, send email to gcziko(at)gmail(dot)com

The West Coast’s first CyclingSavvy course will be offered January 6, 7 and 8, 2012 in Berkeley and Oakland, California. The course will be given by CyclingSavvy co-developer Mighk Wilson (CSI) and Gary Cziko  (CSI, LCI, PhD).

Discover the joy of human-powered travel.

Experience empowerment to act as a confident, equal road user. You will learn strategies for safe, stress-free integrated cycling and come away with the tools to read and problem-solve any new traffic situation or road configuration.

Part 1 of the course will accommodate 30 people. Parts 2 and 3 will be limited to 12 participants with sessions offered both Saturday and Sunday. The cost for all three parts of the course is $75.

Part 1: Truth & Techniques of Traffic Cycling

Friday, January 6, 2012; 6:30 – 9:30 pm
3515A Tolman Hall
University of California
Hearst Ave. & Arch St.
Berkeley, CA (street map; campus map)

Tolman Hall is on the north side of the campus, (two buildings east from the west corner of the campus). Room 3515 is in the Education part in the east (uphill) wing of the building. You can enter the building on the 1st or 2nd floors. When you leave the elevator or stairwell on the third floor, turn right. Make the next two rights and 3515A will be on your left. For those arriving by car, on-street parking on Hearst or another nearby street should not be hard to find Friday evening during University break.

Learn the truth and techniques of traffic cycling. Through guided discussion with videos and animations, this classroom-based session familiarizes students with bicycle-specific laws, traffic dynamics and problem-solving strategies. Students discover that bicycle drivers are equal road users, with the right, ability and responsibility to control their space on public roadways.

This session is available as a stand-alone class for $30.

Part 2: Train Your Bike

Saturday, January 7, 8:30 to 11:30 am COURSE FULL
Sunday, January 8, 8:30 to 11:30 am COURSE FULL
Parking lot at 1357 5th St.
Oakland, CA 94615 (map)

If arriving via BART, exit the West Oakland station on the left. Turn left again when you exit the station (heading east) and you will see (across the BART parking lot) buildings that say “Cable Moore” and “California Soda.” The parking lot we are using is on the far side (across Mandela Parkway) of the “California Soda” building. We will probably use the larger part of the parking lot that is on the far (east) side of metal building on the parking lot. You can see a sequence of photos leaving the BART station here.

This session is conducted in a parking lot. It consists of a set of progressive drills designed to increase students’ control and comfort handling their bikes in various situations. Drills include:

1. Starting, stopping  & balance
2. Understanding gearing
3. Slow balance drill (Snail Race)
4. Acceleration drill (drag race)
5. Straight-line riding
6. Turning: Cone weave
7. Turning: Follow the leader
8. Turning: Rock dodge
9. Turning: High-speed cornering
10. Turning: Snap turn
11. Quick stop

In three short hours, you will learn to command your bike with precision and confidence.

This session is available as a stand-alone class for $30.

Thanks to Francisco Lira and Pacific Park Management for providing access to their parking lot, and to Bonnie Wehmann for putting us in contact with Francisco.

Part 3: Tour of Oakland*

Saturday, January 7, 2012;  1 pm to 4:30 pm. COURSE FULL
Sunday,  January 8, 2012;  1 pm to 4:30 pm. COURSE FULL
Jack London Square
Broadway and Embacadero
Oakland, CA 94607 (map)

*Registrants must have completed the sessions “Truth & Techniques of Traffic Cycling” and “Train Your Bike” to participate in the Tour of Oakland. They also must be able to cycle up to 8 miles at an average speed of 12 mph (with frequent stops).

This session is an experiential tour of Oakland roads. The course includes some of the most intimidating road features (including intersections, interchanges, merges and railroad crossings) a cyclist might find in his or her travels. Students travel as a group, stopping to survey and discuss each exercise location. After observing the feature, discussing the traffic dynamics and the best strategy for safe and easy passage, the students ride through individually and regroup at a nearby location. This session is designed to give you the confidence and skills to handle any situation you might encounter driving your bicycle in the Bay Area or elsewhere.

This session is available as a stand-alone class for $30.

More information about the philosophy, content and purpose of the CyclingSavvy course can be found here.