Friday, June 01, 2012
Coalition for Huron Injury Prevention
Learn to Ride the Road
Know how to ride a bike, but sharing the road with traffic makes you nervous?
The Coalition for Huron Injury Prevention (CHIP) will be hosting a CAN-Bike course - the only accredited course that teaches people how to ride the road safely on a bicycle.
Goderich resident Chris Watson is a trained CAN-Bike Instructor. He says the goal of the CAN-Bike course is to help you feel more comfortable riding safely with traffic. “This is a great opportunity for people who know how to ride a bike, but may need some confidence about sharing the road with cars or trucks. The course will give them that confidence to know how to be seen and anticipate traffic.”
The first CAN-Bike course is at the Goderich YMCA on June 16th and 23rd for anyone 14 years of age or older. The cost is $86 for two days (10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) of on-bike and classroom instruction. To register call the Huron County Health Unit at 519-482-3416 ext 2260.
The key messages of the CAN-Bike course are “See. Be Seen. Be Predictable.”
- See – you need to pay attention to the road around you. Practice riding in a straight line and making a shoulder check.
- Be seen – it’s important that vehicles can see you. Wear reflective clothing and have lights on your bike.
- Be Predictable – this means ride according to the law, for example stopping at stop signs and signalling.
Watson says anyone who takes the course will be an expert by the end of the two days.
CHIP would like to see CAN-Bike courses offered in communities across the county. They received some funding from the Ministry of Transportation’s Road Safety Challenge Week to offer the Goderich course. If you are interested in a CAN-Bike course in your community, call the health unit.
Media Contact:
Chris Watson
CAN-Bike Instructor
519-440-9328
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