LCI Spotlight: Richard Wezensky

The League certifies hundreds of League Cycling Instructors every year and there are thousands of LCIs around the country leading bike education efforts in their communities. In our LCI spotlight series, we are sharing the stories of League Cycling Instructors doing what they do every day: educating, mentoring, empowering. You don’t have to be an extraordinary athlete or overachieving student to be a stellar LCI, all you need is the conviction that life is better for everyone when more people ride bikes. 

Every month is a great month to bike and a great month to be a bike educator, but there’s just something a little extra special about everything bike-y in May, when it’s National Bike Month. For this month’s League Cycling Instructor spotlight, we’re heading down (virtually) to Texas to meet Richard Wezensky in Richardson. Find our earlier LCI Spotlights in our blog archives. 

Learn how to become an LCI in the Smart Cycling section of our website.

Richard first became interested in becoming a bike educator after seeing so many kids in his neighborhood biking who could use an intro to the basics of safe bike riding and traffic skills. “I soon discovered that the education starts with the parents,” he said and now he focuses most of his teaching on adult learners. For Richard, riding with his kids brings him daily bike joy and off the bike he has a passion for creating and sharing art from his sketchbook. Read more about Richard’s thoughts on being an LCI below. 

Are there local bike groups you’re a part of locally? 

BikeDFW, Bike Friendly Richardson, Richardson Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Tell us a little about yourself and why you enjoy teaching others to bike.

Teaching Smart Cycling to adults is my main focus—with the occasional kid’s bike rodeo when needed. My favorite and most rewarding class to teach is our Adult Learn to Ride class, that we teach through BikeDFW. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing an adult ride for the first time.

What has been your greatest reward in teaching bike education?

Seeing somebody, who has spent most of their lives believing that riding a bicycle wasn’t possible, taking their first ride. Their smile is always contagious.

What is your best piece of advice for an LCI who wants to teach a class but isn’t sure how to get started?

Work with other LCIs. Collaborating with instructors with different experiences always gets the best results. I am fortunate to have so many great LCIs in my area. 

What is something you think that all LCIs should know about teaching bike education? 

Learn about your students and their confidence and comfort levels. Not every class will go the same way, because every student is different. Be ready to adjust accordingly. 

What is your favorite thing about being on a bike?

I love being able to discover more about where I live with the pace of my bicycle. 

Know an LCI who should be featured next? Nominate a stellar bike educator here!