New Class of Trainers Helps More Bicyclists Hit Area Streets

Thanks to the efforts of local bicycling enthusiasts and trained experts, navigating Knoxville’s roads by bike is getting a little easier and safer every day.

This spring, the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization and I Bike KNX program hosted an event to teach the teachers of safe city bicycling. A Certified Instructor seminar was given by the League of American Bicyclists in April, with nine area residents completing the intensive training and earning certification. They now are able to teach riders and drivers alike about bicycling on area roads.

With five other certified instructors from previous training seminars, the I Bike KNX program reaches out to area residents to show how riders and drivers can safely share local roads. To do this, the group has unveiled a new slate of classes and speakers bureau presentations.

Whether you are a casual bicyclist, only ride greenways, haven’t been on a bike in years, or never learned to ride, I Bike KNX has a class for you! Getting Back on a Bike, Learning to Ride, Biking for Beginners, and Urban Biking 101 are among the offerings.

I Bike KNX also can bring presentations to area organizations and businesses. Driving Safely around Bicyclists and Pedestrians focuses on ways motorists can avoid the most common types of collisions and what the traffic laws are related to bicycling and walking. Bike Safety 101 is a 30-minute presentation on riding safely and traffic laws. And Bike Commuting 101 is for people who want to start biking to work but have some questions.

To learn more about the classes and presentations, visit www.ibikeknx.com/What-We-Do/Bicycle-Classes or check out the group’s flyer.

For a student's perspective of the classes, take a look at this article from Inside of Knoxville.

Thanks also to the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Greenway Council for helping cover training seminar costs.

Feature Photo: Instructor Jay Snyder with Rick Fung and Lee Ensign, I Bike Knx Urban Biking Class, Knoxville, May 2015