Beginner Bike Skills

Having trouble balancing, starting, or stopping on your bike?

Beginner Bike Skills is a StreetWise course, for people who have not yet learned to ride a bike or lack the basic handling skills or confidence to cycle for urban transportation. This small group 2-hour course occurs completely off-road, in a safe and comfortable environment for new riders. Under the guidance of our experienced instructors, participants will practice fundamental bike handling skills such as balance, braking, steering, and pedaling. 

Beginner Bike Skills course includes:

  • 2 hours of instruction led by certified instructors
  • Basic bike fitting and safety checks, as well as progressive activities to build fundamental skills and confidence.
  • 1:6 instructor-to-participant ratio to ensure lots of 1 on 1 attention and personalized feedback
  • Up to 12 participants 
  • If you have one, please bring your own working bicycle and helmet to the course. Alternatively, we will have bikes and helmets on-site that you can use for the duration of the course. 
Teaching someone to ride a bike? Check out our Guide for Teaching New Riders and video for learners of all ages. 

 

2024 Course Schedule:

For Vancouver:  All Vancouver courses run out of the Trout Lake Community Centre, and registration can be found on the Vancouver Recreation Portal. 

Trout Lake Community CentreCourse Schedule:

  • Saturday, June 1st - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Saturday, June 8th - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Thursday, June 13th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, June 15th - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, June 20th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, June 22nd - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, June 27th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Thursday, July 4th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 6th - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, July 11th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Thursday, July 8th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Thursday, July 25th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 27th - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, August 1st - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Thursday, August 8th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, August 17th - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Thursday, August 22nd - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, August 31st - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

For Richmond:  All Richmond courses will run out of the Thompson Community Centre, and registration will be through the Richmond Recreation Portal (search for Bike Skills). NOTE: All our courses in Richmond are for adults and/or children ages 10+

Thompson Community Centre Dates:

  • Sunday, May 26th - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Sunday, June 16th - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 
  • Sunday, July 7th - 11:00 AM -to1:00 PM
  • Sunday, July 21st - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Friday, July 26th - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 11th - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 25th - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

For information on adaptive cycling programs at our StreetWise Cycling Education Centres, please visit Spinal Cord Injury BC’s Adaptive Cycling webpage.

 

FAQs

Where are lessons held? 

Vancouver: The lessons will take place next to Trout Lake Community Centre, on the Trout Lake gravel field beside the parking lot (link to google maps location here).  Intermediate courses will start and end on the field but will also visit the surrounding neighbourhood as part of the guided road ride. 

Richmond: The lessons will take place behind the Thompson Community Centre, exact location pending.

Do I need a bike?

If you have your own bike and helmet, please bring them to the lesson. If you don't own a bike or can’t transport it to the lesson location, we will have a fleet of 15 bikes and helmets that participants will be able to use for the duration of the lesson. 

How can I get my bike to the lesson spot?

You can bring your bike inside a personal vehicle, on a vehicle's bike rack, on a bus bike rack, or Skytrain car. If it's your first time using a bus bike rack or bringing a bike on transit - check out TransLink's helpful tips beforehand. All Metro Vancouver buses are able to take 2 bikes on their front racks. 

How can I get to Trout Lake Community Centre?

Trout Lake Community Centre is located in the southwest corner of Trout Lake Park (3360 Victoria Drive). You can find transit options via Google Maps . There is free parking available outside the Community Centre (located near Victoria and 15th). Nearby cycling routes can be found here.

How can I get to Thompson Community Centre?

Thompson Community Centre is located at 5151 Granvile Avenue in Richmond You can find transit options via Google Maps. There is parking available to the north of the Community Centre. Nearby cycling routes can be found here. 

Do you offer other lessons for more advanced skills?

Yes, we are offering other programs at Trout Lake Community Centre and the Steveston Community Centre this Summer - Intermediate Bike Skills and Basic Bike Maintenance. If you're looking for a course to increase your confidence in cycling from the comfort of your own home, you can take StreetWise Cycling Online. We will also be running webinars on various topics, starting in from April to September. You can find dates and recordings of the webinars here. 

If you have any more questions, please contact streetwise@bikehub.ca

 

Testimonials

“Exceeded my expectations! I didn't expect to actually know how to ride a bike after this course. I would have been happy to just balance on a bike.”

“It was so great to know there are others who don’t know how to ride. In a city that is full of cyclists, it was great to be in a group with no shame”

"Instructors were excellent and kind. I have nothing but good things to say about this class. The staff were all positive and patient and kind. I truly appreciate the chance to be a part of the class.Thank you again."