Types of Courses

Kids Courses *

• Kids CAN-BIKE Festival ages 8 – 13, introduces children to key bicycle handling skills necessary for safe riding, as well as correct helmet use, checking bicycles for mechanical problems, and preventing bicycle thefts. Parents and caregivers work with their children to develop safe habits and attitudes.
• Kids CAN-BIKE ages 9 to 13 provides 12 hours of in-class and on-bike instruction, which teaches steering, signaling, right and left turns, changing gears, braking and avoiding road hazards. Young cyclists are taught to ride safely to school or to the local swimming pool on residential streets. Participants must be able to ride a bike.

Beginner Adult Courses

• CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 1 ages 14+, 2-3 hours on bike learning how to balance, start, stop and turn.
• CAN-BIKE Adult Learn to Ride 2 ages 14+, 2-3 hours on bike for people who are too unsteady to ride on streets. You will learn to balance, start, turn and use your gears with confidence.

Advanced Adult Courses *

CAN-BIKE Cycling Freedom for Women

• Ages 14+, 12 hours for women, taught by women. Similar to CAN-BIKE 1, but addresses specific concerns such as security at night and riding with children.

CAN-BIKE Rural Cycling

• Ages 14+, 6 or 12 hours, for the rural resident or the cyclist who intends to do a lot of rural riding. Develop skills and build confidence while learning the challenges specific to rural cycling.

CAN-BIKE 1

• Ages 14+, 12 hours for cyclists who already ride on residential streets or bike paths. Develop skills and build confidence in low traffic neighborhoods.

CAN-BIKE 2

Ages 14+, 18 hours of advanced skill and knowledge development in defensive cycling for commuter and recreational cyclists who already ride in traffic. Includes classroom bike handling skills and riding in all traffic conditions. This course will improve your skill and confidence in riding in challenging traffic situations. CAN-BIKE 1 is not a pre-requisite for CAN-BIKE 2. This certificate course is quite often a requirement for jobs that involve cycling and a pre-requisite for many Police bike squad members across Canada.

CAN-BIKE Commuter Cycling Skills
A one-day course for urban cyclists.  Cycling to school or work offers significant challenges to both novice and experienced cyclists. This course concentrates on helping all cyclists recognize common road hazards and what to do about them.

This one-day course augments the skills of recreational and commuter cyclists who want to improve their competence and comfort level in traffic. Traffic problems are presented, then ridden through and discussed. Participants also learn more about the legal status of bicycles and essential bicycle handling techniques.

• In some locations, CAN-BIKE programs may be offered for specific venues or populations, as follows:
  • Kids CAN-BIKE Camp – 9-13 years, 1 week program
  • Teen CAN-BIKE (CAN-BIKE 1 level) for ages 14-17
  • Seniors CAN-BIKE (CAN-BIKE 1 level) for ages 65+