NYBC hosted an League Cycling Instructor (LCI) seminar in Albany the weekend of September 30 – October 2.     The training seminar minted 7 new instructors in New York (and one in Rhode Island).   It followed another seminar in May 2009 organized by NYBC, which certified 5 instructors in New York, and 5 more from other states.   LCI’s are certified to teach the League of American Bicyclists’ (LAB) Smart Cycling curriculum.    LCI’s go through a rigorous training and certification process, requiring a pre-requisite Traffic Skills 101 course, extensive pre-seminar study, and an 85 question pre-test, which must be passed at a high level.    LCI’s are expected to be experienced, avid cyclists, who are comfortable with riding in traffic.    The LCI training process mainly involves teaching LCI-candidates “how to teach” cycling.    During the seminar weekend candidates teach two short classroom topics that are assigned to them; they practice teaching basic bike handling and emergency skills; and they practice leading “students”—their fellow candidates—in rides through traffic.   Throughout the seminar weekend, candidates practice evaluating and giving feedback to students, which is an important part of any educational process.   The seminar also covers important topics like marketing bike education programs and classes, working with kids, and using the resources provided by the League.              

The League’s Smart Cycling program is premised on the belief that cyclists can be integrated with other traffic, and can learn the basic skills and knowledge necessary to Share the Road –or the path—safely, confidently, and effectively with others.    The basic foundation of the Smart Cycling Curriculum is that “cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.”   That means the following the basic principles of how our traffic and traffic laws work will result in fewer bike crashes, and smoother interactions with other traffic.   But just as importantly it means that public agencies—planners, police, judges, and educators—should treat cyclists as vehicle drivers and as equals on the road.   Cyclists fare best when public agencies avoid policies, designs and procedures that treat cyclists as children or second-class citizens, or treat bicycles as mere recreational toys.            If you are interested in becoming a League Cycling Instructor, contact ________________, and we will put you on the notification list for the next NYBC LCI seminar.