High gas prices have prompted people in Lancaster County and across the nation to dust off old bicycles or buy new ones.
People are pedaling for short errands or to go to work, but many of them haven't been on a bike in years, noted local bicycling advocate Mike Ridgeway.
Things have changed. There may be more cars on the road and worse road conditions since the last time these riders took to the streets, said Ridgeway.
Now Ridgeway, through his local Cycle Smart program, will be offering classes in September designed to increase the safety and comfort level of new or renewed bicyclists, and reduce the ire of motorists dealing with unpredictable riders who seem to make up their own rules.
"We're answering the call that there is a concern that people are not riding their bikes safely," he said.
Beginning Tuesday evening, Ridgeway and the nonprofit program will be teaching basic bicycle riding skills — including how to ride in traffic — to adults in the parking lot of the Toy R Us store, 1430 Harrisburg Pike. The course, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6 to 9 p.m., is free. It will be taught by instructors certified by the League of American Bicyclists.
Wednesday evening classes are geared to families with children.
The classes are part of several initiatives Ridgeway is promoting to focus on September as "Bike Month" in Lancaster County. There will also be a bike commuting contest, an educational evening on climate change and a bike summit at the end of the month.
Most people know how to ride a bike, Ridgeway said. But many people haven't ridden them recently. They're nervous about riding in traffic and don't know the rules of the road.
They ride on sidewalks, weave in and out of parked cars and ride the wrong way on one-way streets, he said.
Under state law, bicycles are considered vehicles and riders must abide by the same rules of the road as motorists.
That also means that motorists must treat bicycle riders with the same respect they would another motorist. That means not pulling out in front of cyclists, not cutting them off when turning or honking for them to get out of the way.
Bicyclists are safest when they attempt to ride predictably and with traffic as much as possible, according to the state Transportation Department.
The Cycle Smart classes will teach basic traffic maneuvers, such as making a left-hand turn; road hazards, such as avoiding broken glass, storm grates and staying out of the "door zone" of parked cars; and commuting tips, such as riding after dark.
All class participants will be required to wear a helmet. Classes will be held rain or shine, with an information table inside the store in case of bad weather.
Ridgeway will be seeking recognition from local officials to have September official declared "Bike Month."
Other planned activities include:
• A ribbon-cutting on the expanded, painted and signed Bicycle Education Center, at the Toys R Us store, on Sept. 17.
• Public presentations on global climate change at Camp Andrews, on Silver Spring Road in Drumore Township, on Sept. 22 as riders from the New York-Washington, D.C., Climate Ride roll into Lancaster County.
• A special Share the Ride Challenge that will allow bicycle commuters to record their miles and provide them with a chance to win prizes from the Air Quality Partnership of the Susquehanna Valley. Commuters will be able to register beginning Monday through the Cycle Smart Web site, at DreamRideProjects.org.
• A bicycle summit at the end of the month to provide a forum for bicyclists to gather and discuss cycling-related issues. Details of that forum are being developed and will be presented on the Dream Ride Web site.
Staff writer Bernard Harris can be reached at bharris@LNPnews.com or 481-6022.
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