League Releases New Education Videos

In my dream world, everyone would take a League bike education class — we’d have a countless people on bikes who know their rights, feel comfortable on the road or trail and, best of all, enjoy the ride.

But classes take commitment. They’re not always easily accessible and some don’t realize there’s more to learn. So how, then, can we get education out into the world? Through online videos!

With the help of a professional videographer and the generous sponsorship by Gail Copus Spann and Jim Spann, the videos are ready to be viewed and shared! The 19 education videos that cover topics from fitting a bike to riding in traffic — and they are free and available to the public on our Ride Smart video page.

Chair of the League’s Board of Directors and herself an LCI, Spann said it’s her experiences as an LCI that have cemented her continued committment to bicycle education. “It’s probably the most important part of my involvement with the League,” she told me. “Jim and I feel very strongly about education on sharing the road for bicyclists and motorists.”

These are more than just a tool to make bike education more accessible. As an educator, the goal is to get students energized and engaged in the hands-on learning process. The more interest a participant has, the more they will learn and retain the information from the lesson. Videos are a great tool that use both sight and sound for those auditory and visual learners.

LCIs should incorporate the videos into their classes as a way to explain topics before practicing. Unlike handouts, nothing is left to the imagination. Plus, they’re a great way to encourage potential students to come to your classes.

We welcome all viewers to contact instructors for more information and hands-on experience. Type your zip code into our “Connect Locally” search function to find instructors in your area!