Advocacy & Safety - CANBIKE courses

Hey there,

Has anybody taken one of these Canbike courses. It appears to have a very strong focus on traffic stuff for cyclists.

I just wondered if they are any good ?
If you have taken this course, how was it structured and did you find it helpful and worth your money ?

Justen

Personally I wouldn't bother. If they're anything like the "bicycle safety" courses in this country, they're taught by people who have never ridden as far as the local convenience store in their life. You'd be likely to cop a lot of crap about "you are a toy, you don't belong on the roads, you're sole purpose is to get out of the way of cars, it's quite OK to compromise your own safety if it is in an attempt to achieve this end.

As far as I'm concerned you'll learn nothing of any value that a little experience can't teach you.

from:
http://www.vacc.bc.ca/cycling/index.htm

Possible Course: CANBIKE
by Bruce Mol, CCA National Can-Bike Examiner

* Learn where to ride in traffic
* traffic handling skills
* bike handling skills
* group riding
* bicycle types, selection, adjustment & repairs
* How To Ride In Rain, Cold, Heat & at Night

Can-Bike courses are nationally certified bicycling safety courses created for cyclists who wish to become better cyclists in traffic. This course is excellent for cycle commuters, tourists and cycling professionals. CANBIKE is a pre-requisite for many security and police forces throughout Canada.

Everyone with a mechanically sound bicycle (that fits them!) and a helmet (ditto) is welcome to register for the course.
Details

1. This 18 hour course--half in class/half on the road--can be held over three days at your local community centre. Please contact the local instructors (direct link) for more specific details.
2. The cost varies from $120-$160, depending upon the cost of the venue. There is a $20 discount for VACC members.
3. CANBIKE is based on Effective Cycling by John Forester. This book is available at libraries, Cycling BC (1 copy available to loan to members, purchase for non-members), the MEC and finer bookstores throughout the city. It may even be available from on line bookstores.
4. Enrolment is limited: the first 8 people to register, fully paid, are in. The next 8 go on a waiting list until 1 week prior when we decide how many assistants are required to ensure safe road passage for up to 16 people.
5. Students must sign a liability waiver before participating.
6. Full refunds if course is cancelled.
7. Corporate courses also available.

more info at:
http://www.gonecycling.com/canbike/index.html

I have never taken the course but from what I understand, it's excellent!

Originally posted by Chris L
Personally I wouldn't bother. If they're anything like the "bicycle safety" courses in this country, they're taught by people who have never ridden as far as the local convenience store in their life. You'd be likely to cop a lot of crap about "you are a toy, you don't belong on the roads, you're sole purpose is to get out of the way of cars, it's quite OK to compromise your own safety if it is in an attempt to achieve this end.

As far as I'm concerned you'll learn nothing of any value that a little experience can't teach you.
Chris, I share your cynicism.

But these cycling courses are really the best, teaching cyclists how to ride the road, not relinquish it.

:thumbup:

I don't know how things are going in Vancouver, but I heard very good reviews about similar courses organised in Ottawa. See http://www.cfsc.ottawa.on.ca/CAN-BIKE/index.shtml .

Like any cycling or driving instructor, each person might have slightly a different technique or approach, but rest assured that all the instructors are seasoned instructors and, more important, used to ride safely in traffic. And while they may cover some legal aspects (especially in class), most of the time (in the class and on the road) is spent on techniques.

Now, obviously, comes the other question: do you need Can-Bike I? It depends on your experience and comfort level on the road, and your assertiveness in traffic.
And would you need or benefit from Can-Bike II? It depends on how advanced you want to become. To take it to the extreme, if you only want to ride bike trails, Can-Bike II would be of little use (although it might entice you to ride on the street...).