Support for New Parkdale Rider
Hello, I am a really new cyclist (as in, I got on a bicycle for the first time in 16 years this past Friday). I am trying to gain some confidence to ride in the city, and wanted to know if there was a course or some resources that would be beneficial and affordable for a novice that anyone could suggest?
The City offers CANBIKE classes that are meant exactly for folks in your situation. The schedules are out already - sign up early and you'll have a good biking summer ahead!
The class schedules are here: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike/pdf/canbike_courses.pdf
Thanks very much!
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving"/Albert Einstein
Your timing is great, there are also many rides scheduled because of Bike month (officially starting May 28th). Try attending as many of these events and ride with the groups.
Meet new people while you are at these events and try riding with them (one on one) and get them to show you how they ride and how they solve various problems. They may not always be right, nor have the exact solution you can effectively use, however you will start to learn to see some of the things (problems/issues/hot spots/behaviours/others) you should be looking out for. Being able to anticipate potential problems and having one or more counter-measures is an effective way at keeping yourself out of trouble -- regardless of what type/class/style of vehicle you drive.
And do take a CAN-BIKE class (when/as the budget allows) -- find or make the time to attend. Even as a very experienced cyclist I found the program worthwhile, and have already sent one of my kids; the other child will be taking her CAN-BIKE later this summer.
Good for you VeloParkdale. I'm just down the street from you and I just started riding again (after a long hiatus) about 10 years ago. I bike into the downtown core just about every day.
The earlier suggestions are great, take an CAN-BIKE class and join the biking events.
Critical Mass is a great event for new bikers (the next one is May 25). Meet the last Friday of every month before 6:30 at Spadina and Bloor and cycle with a gaggle of other folks!
Also, join the bike to work ride on May 28; your closest meeting point will be High Park (or City Hall for the end of the ride), but you could pick up the ride in progress.
I would also recommend you join the Bike Union, there is lots of information supplied on their website and different ways to get involved and meet other cyclists. www.bikeunion.to
grab a coffee and croissant at cherry bomb in roncy... ride north on roncy turn left on high park blvd.. ride into high park. and ride around the park... repeat...
ride Sourauren often..
when you are comfortable with Sorauren try graduating to dundas bike lanes... and then eventually college st.
find a friend to ride with..
Contact me if you're not satisfied with your route. I know several, as I'm an old bike courier. I'd be happy to give you a trial run or two!
Steve
steviemcintosh@hotmail.com