"Basic Street Skills" Bicycle Safety Classes for Adults

Free Basic Street Skills bicycle safety classes are held ten times per year at various locations throughout Marin County. The mid-week, evening classes are made possible by a recent $25 million federal grant funding the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP) in Marin County and the collaboration between WalkBikeMarin, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Marin Law Enforcement, Marin General Hospital, the County of Marin, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Cyclists are the most vulnerable users of public roads; this class will teach you how to ride and drive defensively and avoid road rage behaviors.

Traffic Ticket Reduction

These classes uniquely allow bicycle traffic infraction citation fee reduction through class attendance. The Marin County Superior Court will refund a portion of the traffic infraction citation fee upon successfully completing the class (refunds depend on each defendant’s circumstances). This partnership with Marin County Superior Court is the second of its kind in the Bay Area to provide bicycle education as a traffic court option. Please bring a copy of your citation to the class for inclusion on your Certifcate of Attendance.

What You'll Learn

In just two hours, this powerpoint and interactive presentation will teach participants to safely and confidently use a bicycle for transportation. Topics covered include how to avoid crashes and citations, improve visibility, ride through intersections, the legal rights and obligations of cyclists, and more. Drivers benefit from the class as well, by learning how and why bicycles maneuver on the roads.

A bicycle is not necessary for the class, unless you plan to ride one there!

Class Registration
Cyclists and drivers aged 16 and up can register for a Basic Street Skills class. Advance class registration is necessary. A confirmation will be sent to all who are registered for a class. Please register by providing your name, address, email, phone and class date in one of the following ways: with our online web form faxing to 415-456-9344, calling the Marin County Bicycle Coalition at 415-456-3469 ext. 8# or emailing streetskills@marinbike.org.
American sign language interpreters and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling 415-499-6172 (TDD) or 415-499-6528 (voice) at least 72 hours in advance. Paratransit is available by calling Whistlestop Wheels at 415-454-0904. For bicycle and bus routes please contact 511.org or 415-817-1717

Class Instructor Frances Barbour
Frances has a long history of involvement in the cycling community. She became a committed bicycle commuter in college. After graduating she took-up road riding. She discovered the joys of mountain biking when she moved to the Bay Area. In 2000, Frances joined the MCBC at the Fairfax Festival. Needless to say, she loves the cycling life in Marin!