The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition's Safe Routes to School program offers a variety of options for kids, teens and adults to receive bicycle safety education and bicycling skill/safety practice. For more information or to schedule an event at your school, organization, or city, contact saferoutes@bikesonoma.org.
Visit the Safe Routes to School Calendar to find out when and where any of these education events are happening in a given month.
In-School On-Bicycle Classes (aka "Rodeos"):
Our in-school On-Bicycle Classes are "on-bicycle PE classes" that take place during the school day, on the school campus. In-school rodeos are offered during the months of October, April and May. All classrooms at the designated grade level participate. All participating students have their helmets fitted (or have the opportunity to purchase a low-cost helmet or borrow a loaner), their bicycles adjusted (or borrow a loaner bicycle), and engage in instructor-led, on-bicycle skill/safety instruction on a large course set-up on the school blacktop.
In-school On-Bicycle classes are typically offered at the 4th grade level, but can also be offered in middle school PE classes. Participating teachers are required to attend a pre-on-bicycle logistics planning session at least 2-months in advance of the scheduled course.
Requests for each school year must be made no later than September of that school year, as our calendar fills up quickly. Cost to school may be covered by the Sonoma County SRTS program.
Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition's 4th Grade Bicycle Rodeo Curriculum
Community/Family Bicycle Rodeos:
Community/Family Bicycle Rodeos are open-ended 2-3 hour "on-bike instruction festivals" for kids that take place after-school or on weekends during the months of March-November (FREE to participants). Bicycle Skill/Safety Courses are set up on a blacktop, and a variety of stations are offered including helmet fitting and free bike repair by certified mechanics. Parents register kids on site, and are encouraged (but not required) to participate on-bike with their children. Participants may be as young as toddlers on scoot-bikes. Participating children receive a novelty bike license. Helmets are sold for $8.00 suggested donation. Requesting organizations are required to attend a pre-rodeo logistics planning session at least 2-3 months in advance of the scheduled event, provide at least 15 volunteers, secure a free blacktop space, tables, chairs, electricity, and bathroom access, and assist with promotion (including printing of promotional materials).
Family Bicycling Workshops:
Family Bicycling Workshops are 2 ½ hour on-bicycle workshop for kids AND parents. Participants pre-register online (FREE) and attend the entire class. The first half of class takes place on a blacktop where adults and kids receive instruction and practice skill drills, and the second half of the class is a supervised family ride. Participating children must be ready to ride on the road (age 9 & up, no training wheels) and parents must participate in the drills and ride as well. Participants must bring a functional bicycle and helmet (helmets/bike repairs not provided). Participants who complete the workshop receive a free blinky light. Family Bicycling Workshops are led by SCBC League of American Bicyclist Certified Instructors.
Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition's Family Bicycling Workshop Curriculum
Family Bicycling Workshop Curriculum "Quick View" Checklist
Street Skills for Cyclists Seminars:
Street Skills Seminars are based on the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Road I Bicycle Education curriculum (TS 101). The seminars are appropriate for both expert and novice bicyclists, and are taught by SCBC League of American Bicyclist Certified Instructors. TS 101A is a four-hour classroom-only seminar offered on the first Saturday or Sunday of every month, and is taught utilizing proven slide illustrations, street diagrams, and video clips. TS 101B is a four-hour on-bicycle seminar offered approximately once every three months, and involves blacktop drills and an instructional ride. TS 101A is a prerequisite for taking TS 101B. Pre-registration is required. To register, send e-mail to Skills@BikeSonoma.org (preferred) or call (707) 545-0153. SCBC offered classes are usually held near downtown Santa Rosa. Exact location provided upon registration. SCBC Seminar Fee for participants: Classroom Only (A): $20.00, $10.00 for SCBC members, On-Bicycle (B): $40.00, $20.00 for SCBC members.
Interested in hosting a Family Bicycle Rodeo, Workshop, or Street Skills Seminar?
Cost to produce an event is determined by size of event and/or number of classrooms, and division of labor between SCBC & requesting/partner organization, but average about $2000.00 for rodeos/workshops and $500-$1000.00 for Street Skills classes. To request a cost estimate for partnership with SCBC to produce any of the above events, email saferoutes@bikesonoma.org at least four months prior to your desired date.
Technical Support for Your Own Bicycle Rodeo:
If you do not have the funds to partner with SCBC to produce an event, but are interested in putting on a bicycle rodeo yourself, SCBC can offer technical support in the form of a consultation where we will share resources & help you plan your event. Email saferoutes@bikesonoma.org to request a consultation. We suggest contacting us at least 1-2 months prior to your event. More information and resources for putting on your own Bicycle Rodeo is also available through the Bicycle Safety Resource page on the Safe Kids Sonoma County website.
To request the Safe Kids Sonoma County Bicycle Rodeo Kit, click HERE.
To request helmets through the Safe Kids Sonoma County "Herb Greenberg Helmet Bank", click HERE.
