LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship

The League is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all of our work towards building a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. In order to meet the promise of a nation where bicycling is safe, comfortable, and open to all, we must build a more diverse community of cycling educators.

In 2020, the League committed to doing the work to diversify our network of cycling educators through a scholarship program for our League Cycling Instructor Seminars. With more in-person LCI Seminars returning in 2021, and after months of development, the League is launching our LCI scholarship program in an effort to certify more people of color as cycling instructors and break down barriers to creating a more inclusive community of people who bike.

Read our launch announcement of the Equity Schloarship with the Be Good Foundation

Thanks to the generosity of Rebecca Rusch’s Be Good Foundation and Quality Bicycle Products (QBP), we are able to make the LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship possible. QBP is sponsoring four LCI Seminars for people of color in the four communities in which it operates. The Be Good Foundation has provided funding for scholarships across the country.

Read our announcement with QBP to train more BIPOC as LCIs

In addition to the four QBP-sponsored LCI Seminars, the League’s LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship for people of color consists of opportunities for:

League member organizations to distribute up to three scholarships within their community
Individual aspiring cycling instructors to attend an LCI seminar on scholarship

For League Member Organizations

The League will select member groups hosting LCI Seminars in their communities to receive up to three LCI Seminar Equity Scholarships (value of $1500) to distribute to people of color at their LCI seminar. All scholarships are intended to be distributed to a person of color. The League member groups receiving the scholarships are expected to host an LCI Seminar in their community within the next 18 months (through September 2022).

The total number of candidates attending the seminar must meet the minimum requirement of eight registrations for an in-person seminar and six registrations for a mostly-virtual seminar. Instructions for how to host an LCI Seminar are available on our website.

To apply for LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship as a League Member Organization, please fill out this form.

Any League Member Organization may host LCI Seminars. League Member Organizations include advocacy groups, businesses, bike clubs, bike shops, and many other groups. Learn more about becoming a League Member Organization.

For BIPOC Individuals

Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color who are aspiring League Cycling Instructors and do not have a local advocacy organization through which to access scholarships can apply for an individual scholarship (value of $500) to attend a nearby LCI Seminar. Due to the COVID pandemic, there are limited seminars scheduled, however, new seminars are being added often and we encourage applicants to visit the seminar schedule frequently. Scholarship recipients are responsible for their travel and accommodations.

To apply as an individual for an LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship please fill out this form.

For BIPOC Individuals in QBP Communities

QBP is sponsoring scholarships for BIPOC LCI Seminars in its home communities of Reno, Nevada, Denver, Colorado, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. These LCI Seminars are being hosted by League member groups in those areas. To learn more about these seminars and the League's partnership with QBP, visit our blog announcement. Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color who would like to attend a QBP-sponsored LCI Seminar should apply through the League member groups hosting the LCI Seminars:

For 2021, the 40 Q-funded LCI scholarships will be divided between four training seminars, each hosted by a BIPOC League Cycling Coach and a teaching partner:

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The LCI Seminar Equity program is generously supported by:

LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship FAQ

What is the minimum number of registrations necessary for an organization to host an LCI seminar?

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In-person LCI Seminars require eight (8) registrations. The scholarship program offers the host organization three scholarships to help meet the eight (8) minimum registrations.

The mostly-virtual LCI Seminar requires six (6) registrations. The scholarship program offers the host organization three scholarships to help meet the six (6) minimum registrations.

What is the difference between an in-person seminar and a mostly-virtual seminar?

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Due to the pandemic, the League designed a new framework for the LCI Seminar that diminishes the health risks of being in a classroom group setting for several hours over multiple days but maintains the quality and effectiveness of the seminar. The mostly virtual seminar limits most of the in-person group interaction of the conventional LCI seminar. All classroom aspects of the seminar are held online. Participants are expected to be present in-person for the parking lot drills and road ride components of the seminar, typically held on Saturday morning of the seminar. Candidates must be present for all components of the seminar to be eligible for certification.

Considerations for the host organization:

The host organization may be expected to offer access to a computer and the internet to a candidate that does not have those resources readily available.
The host organization may be expected to provide access to a video camera to a candidate that does not have that resource readily available.
There will need to be at least one experienced local LCI for the Coach to work with to facilitate the parking lot drills and road ride.
Minimum registration is 6.

Conventional In-Person Seminar

This option would resemble the conventional LCI seminar. Below are some considerations for hosting a seminar in this format:

Additional space may be needed to accommodate for social distancing of at least 6 ft between candidates.
Outdoor instructional space rather than indoor instructional space is encouraged.
All participants including site facilitator, candidates, Coach, and LCI assistance would need to sign a COVID-19 waiver.
Minimum registrations is 8.

When does the scholarship application close?

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The scholarship application for League member groups will remain open through September 2021. The scholarship application for individuals will remain open until April 2022.

How many scholarships will be awarded?

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There will be at least three League member groups awarded scholarships plus scholarships to at least six individuals.

How will I be notified if I received the scholarship?

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All individuals and organizations will be notified by email of their awarded scholarships.

When will groups or individuals be notified of the scholarships?

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Individuals will be notified on a rolling basis and will mostly be based on the timing of the seminar that the applicant can attend. Organizations will be notified in October 2021.

What costs does the scholarship cover?

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The scholarship covers the cost of registration for the seminar $500. Scholarship recipients are responsible for their travel, accommodations, annual League Membership ($45) and annual LCI renewal fee the years following their certification ($25).

Who is eligible for an LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship?

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The LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship is for people of color.

How do I find an LCI seminar near me?

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You can find a full list of LCI Seminars open to the public on our website. Due to the pandemic the schedule is pretty light but keep your eye on the schedule for more seminars to be added.

What do I do if there isn’t an LCI seminar available near me?

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Due to the pandemic, our LCI seminar schedule has been fairly light. We suggest working with your local advocacy organization to host a seminar in your community. In order for a seminar to be scheduled, there must be a local group, business, university, or motivated individual to host the seminar and cover the responsibilities of the Site Facilitator. The League provides step-by-step instructions on how to host a seminar here: https://bikeleague.org/content/become-instructor

What if the seminar I register for does not meet the minimum number of registrations?

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The League will work diligently with the host organization to promote the seminar and reach the minimum number of registrations necessary to hold the seminar. However, if the minimum number of registrations is not met, the seminar will not be held. You will have the option of transferring your scholarshipped registration to another seminar or the scholarship will be offered to another eligible applicant.

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