The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will offer low-cost adult bike classes in April, May and June. The classes will include nine Learn to Ride and one Basic Skills class. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up e-scooter classes following select bike classes.
Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes, with a cost of $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) or Capital Bikeshare For All members. However, registration is still required.
Bicycles and helmets will be provided at no charge for the adult Learn to Ride class participants and can be rented from WABA on site, if needed, for the Basic Skills class participants.
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“Our adult bike and scooter classes provide residents with the skills and confidence they need to ride safely—whether for commuting, running errands, or simply enjoying the outdoors,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Riding a bike is a fun and healthy activity and when bikes are used for local trips in place of cars, they can help reduce congestion and lower our carbon footprint.”
Participants in the Learn to Ride bicycle classes will learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal and steer a bike. Each student will progress at their own pace. Students in the Basic Skills class should be able to ride a bicycle and will continue to practice basic biking skills. The classes will be led by experienced WABA instructors.
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The classes are open to residents 18 and over, are limited to 25 people and fill up quickly.
Online registration for April classes is now open on the WABA website under the Classes tab. Registration for May classes will open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, and June class registration will open at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 2.
Adult Learn to Ride Bike class schedule:
- Sunday, April 13 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Upper County Community Recreation Center, 8201 Emory Grove Rd. , Gaithersburg. *Free e-scooter class to follow.
- Saturday, April 19 10 a.m.-1 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane , Silver Spring.
- Sunday, April 27 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wheaton Ice Arena (back parking lot), 11717 Orebaugh Dr. , Wheaton. *Free scooter class to follow.
- Saturday, May 3 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Community Recreation Center, 18905 Kings View Rd. , Germantown.
- Saturday, May 17 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Margaret Schweinhaut Sr. Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring.
For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46649