Education
City Cycling Forums & Workshops
How to Ride Guide (Urban Biking Companion)
PA State Laws for Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Want to feel more comfortable with riding a bike?
These are the classes you’ve been waiting for! Whether you’re a first-time rider, or a veteran cyclist, BikePGH has a City Cycling class for you. See our full event offerings and if you are unsure which class if for you, complete the quiz below!
Fundamentals of City Cycling Class
The Wheel Mill’s indoor venue, and the class’s small-group, drop-in style allow participants to learn and practice city cycling skills in a controlled, protected environment. The Fundamentals class’ curriculum is built according to your needs. If you’re a novice time rider, the Fundamentals classes will help you practice balance. If you’re a life-long rider, the Fundamentals classes can help you dial in on improving a particular movement or skill. The personalized approach allows you to keep coming back to work on what you need to get pedaling.
Riders will have time before and after the class to practice new skills in The Wheel Mill’s Warm Up Room and Fundamental Skills Room (and if you’re feeling feeling ready, you can try to rest of the park too).
First time riders should check out the Learn-to-Ride options available through BikePGH listed below.
Riders 17 & under must have their parent present to sign the waiver or download one HERE and have it NOTARIZED.
Confident City Cycling Class
Confident City Cycling is intended for riders who know how to ride a bike, and are looking for instruction on how to operate it safely on city streets. These mobile classes meet monthly in different neighborhoods around the city. They’re structured to give participants education and experience navigating different traffic patterns, intersection layouts and types of bike infrastructure.
Learn how to properly fit their helmet and perform basic bike maintenance; practice of new skills, like body bike separation, brake modulation, weight distribution, and quick hazard avoidance; and then we go on a group ride where we practice strategies for crossing big intersections, riding on fast roads, and reading traffic patterns and road conditions. Finally, we come back as a group for an open Q & A.
Confident City Cycling is a class intended for participants ages 15 and up. All participants or their guardians will need to sign this waiver in order to participate in the class.
Private Instruction: Learn to Ride
If you’re an absolute beginner, or you want 1 on 1 instruction, then this option is for you! Scheduling individual lessons with one of BikePGH’s certified instructors is a good way for you to begin biking or receive 1 on 1 instruction. Just shoot us an email with a time, date and general location that works for you. Individual lessons are $40/hr for BikePGH members, or $50/hr for non-members. Learn to Ride lessons are BYOB (bring your own bike, that is), but the lessons can meet at a Healthy Ride Station where you can borrow a bike to learn on.
Participants also have the option for private INDOOR lessons at The Wheel Mill. Prices are $50/hr. Email Mike to get started: mike@thewheelmill.com.
City Cycling Forums & Workshops
City Cycling Forums are classroom-based discussions that answer the questions that come up when biking in the city. They give opportunities for people to learn from the experience of their peers and facilitators. City Cycling Forums are informal and geared towards people of all ages and skill levels. Come with a few questions, leave with answers and new friends.
City Cycling Workshops cover all subjects and come in all shapes and sizes. We bring them to businesses, schools, community centers or churches. If you’re interested in hosting a City Cycling workshop, please send us an email.
City Cycling Workshops are classroom-based discussions that answer the questions that come up when biking in the city. They give opportunities for people to learn from the experience of their peers and facilitators. City Cycling Workshops are informal and geared towards people of all ages and skill levels. Come with a few questions, leave with answers and new friends.
City Cycling Workshops cover all subjects and come in all shapes and sizes. We bring them to businesses, schools, community centers or churches. If you’re interested in hosting a City Cycling workshop, please send us an email.
How to Ride Guide
Read an online version of the Urban Biking Companion here.
This is edition #2 of our comic-book style guide to urban biking. Since 2007, over 50,000 copies of this guide have helped people learn the tricks, tips, suggestions, and laws to stay safe, comfortable, and legal while biking.
All the information is laid out in an approachable style that gives you enough to grasp the concepts, but not too much to scare you away. The best part is: it’s absolutely free. Grab a copy at any of the bike shops in town, or feel free to stop by our office. Be green and skim through the online version. If you have any questions, there’s sure to be a helpful biker on our message board to give you some advice.
Bici-101
Read an online version of Bici-101 here.
We are proud to present the updated Spanish Language bike guide, “BICI-101”. This free, condensed guide is a “Welcome” to the Spanish-speaking Latino and Hispanic Community in Pittsburgh, and includes basic information regarding safety and some of the bike services available to the community.
This project was created by Spanish-speaking members in Pittsburgh and 412 Flock, and made possible with support from Free Ride, Café Con Leche, and BikePGH.
Besides Spanish, a Portuguese version is in the works -coming soon!
If you would like to see your language represented, please contact 412FlockPGH@gmail.com to reach more demographics in our city!
Bike Smart Videos
Our friends at The League of American Bicyclists have produced a series of short, instructional how-to-bike videos. They cover topics, from starting and stoping, to riding in bike lanes, to basic bicycle laws; bike education from the comfort of your computer screen! See the whole series on the League of American Bicyclists’ website. Just as an example, here is their video on “scanning”:
Finding Safe Routes
- BikePGH’s Pittsburgh Bike Map: find a free copy of our map at any number of bike shops or Bike Friendly Businesses around town!
- Google’s Bike Directions: when in doubt, just Google it!
- Contact membership@bikpgh.org to get connected with a volunteer Biker Buddy
- RideTheCity.org Pittsburgh: another great resource for finding a safe bike route.
- Friends of the Riverfront’s Interactive Three Rivers Heritage Online Trail Map
- PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources Pennsylvania trail map
PA State Laws for Bicyclists & Pedestrians
Title 75 is the State of Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code. Check out the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ‘s (PennDOT’s) resource that summarizes all the sections of Title 75 that are applicable to bicyclists and pedestrians. Also check out their bike and pedestrian safety website.
Got questions? Try asking the BikePGH Message Board! Or send an email to info@bikepgh.org
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