Education at BikePGH would not be possible without our network of dedicated educators who teach classes, assist at events, work with schools and communities, and give private lessons. We created the Educator Spotlight Series to highlight these individuals and the incredible work they do to promote and teach cycling in the community.

Mike is a bike educator with more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

What is your name and preferred pronouns?

Michael Potoczny He/Him

Do you represent a club or organization? Tell us about it!

For over ten years, I was the educational director at The Wheel Mill Indoor Bike Park. I’m in the midst of creating a new organization. I’m working with a group to start a new Indoor bike park In Pittsburgh. We’re excited to give first-time and lifelong riders a new home to learn and enjoy some riding. We will offer a variety of programs from private lessons, group lessons and summer camps. Hopefully, we’ll have many of the details figured out by the time you’re reading this, but follow @tbabikepark on Instagram to watch the process. I also help with Ruach Bicycle Club as an instructor and developer of programs and I lead educational programming for the Millvale Bike and Pedestrian Committee.

What kind of bike education do you specialize in? Do you focus on a certain population or community?

My background is in BMX and many of my hours of education are teaching more advanced cycling. There are few educators that teach advanced skills like large jumps and doing tricks. For that reason, that has become one of my specialties. Through the years, I’ve taught a lot of entry-level cycling and earned a Professional Mountain Biking Instructor Association (PMBIA) and a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certification. I even designed The Wheel Mill’s learn-to-ride curriculum and taught over 300 people to ride a bike. I often tell people I can teach you how to pedal or do a backflip and everything in between. It’s interesting being able to coach a rider from pedaling to developing into whatever type of riding they want to pursue. I really enjoy helping riders map out their learning curves and designing what building blocks they need to reach their next desired skills.

How long have you been a bike educator and how did you get involved with bike education?

Professionally 14 years. My first education experience was teaching at a local skate park called B-Cubed about 20 years ago and that got me thinking about education. As I helped develop The Wheel Mill, those thoughts from earlier lessons got some juices flowing and I started to get some certifications and began teaching lessons and developing a bike summer camp.

Do you give private lessons – how should students contact you?

I do! Contact me at Michaelpotoczny@gmail.com.

What is one piece of advice you give new bike riders?

Keep it fun! It’s hard to learn skills when it feels too much like work.

What advice would you give aspiring bike educators?

Be open. Don’t be afraid or let your ego stop you from continuing to learn or taking advice from other instructors. Take a class, get a mentor, and shadow other lessons. I learn new ways of communication and styles of teaching every time I work with another instructor.

What has been your favorite experience in bike education?

When it comes to younger students, the thing I love is helping them find a community they want to be a part of. It is really cool when a student or a parent expresses that biking is their thing and I was a part of that journey for them becoming a lifelong bike rider. I’ve also really enjoyed working with adults to help them conquer their fears and insecurities. Being able to give them the freedom to ride a bike is rewarding.

Where is your favorite place to ride in Pittsburgh?

I ride BMX, Mountain Bike, and Road. I would say all of Pittsburgh is my favorite. There are so many places to ride in this region.

Do you have a favorite bike currently or from the past? Why is it your favorite?

My 20-inch BMX bike is my favorite. I’m currently riding an S&M Black Magic.

What’s your favorite riding snack?

Any granola bar will do!

Anything else you’d like our community to know about you?

Haha, if I think of anything I’ll send it over!

Editor’s Note:

Since Mike didn’t say so himself, it behooves us to remind readers that he was BikePGH’s 2022 Educator of the Year in recognition of his decade of work with bike riders of all ages at The Wheel Mill. We greatly look forward to his future projects in bike education and beyond!

Would you like to be featured or know another educator who should be? Let us know by emailing education@bikepgh.org. If you’re looking for more information on classes and lessons, visit our Education page.