Bike Autumn#
Shift Your Ride This Autumn#
This September, we want you to Shift Your Ride!
Why Shift Your Ride? By making simple choices about how we move around, we can save money and save time and shift extra time and money to activities that really matter to us, like spending time with our family, clean air and crisp mountain views, or getting and staying fit. Save money by fueling up a car less often. Save time by getting exercise while you commute instead of spending free time exercising. Shift to what matters most to you.
Shifting your ride can be easy! There are many ways to get around Fort Collins without using a car, even if you have extra errands to run. We've compiled several resources on this page to help you get out of your car and actually enjoy your transportation options. Check our our Shift Your Ride website for details.
Classes
Bike Maintenance 1
September 5th, 2024 5:30pm at Washington Park
This class will be in-person, located at Washington Park, dependent on the weather. Students are encouraged to bring their own bicycle, but it is not required. The instructor will be reaching out prior to the class with details. In this intro to bicycle mechanics class we will focus on maintenance that can easily be done at home to keep your bike happy. We will cover the following topics: 1. Basic Bike Anatomy- review and learn all the basic parts of a bicycle 2. Standard tools for at home repairs 3. Fix a flat- this is the #1 at home repair. Learn how to fix a flat for your bike, either tubed or tubeless, or offer tips for your fellow students if you have a tried and true method. 4. Drivetrain maintenance - cleaning your bike, lubrication, chain wear We will also have time set aside to talk about your experiences and answer any questions you have. Students that complete the class will receive a free patch kit and tire levers!
Bike Maintenance 2
September 12th, 2024 5:30pm at Washington Park
This class will be in-person, located at Washington Park. This is dependent on the weather and Covid restrictions. Students are encouraged to bring their own bicycle, but it is not required. The instructor will be reaching out prior to the class with details. In this second part intro to bicycle mechanics class we will focus on taking maintenance up a notch. Everything covered can easily be done at home to keep your bike happy. If this is your first time trying out at home maintenance on a bicycle, we recommend you take the Maintenance 1 class first. There we cover foundational topics like fix a flat. We will cover the following topics as time allows: 1. Cables and housing- a basic overview 2. Barrel adjusters- use to improve performance for braking and shifting 3. What's that sound?- a basic diagnosis of problems Students that complete the class will receive free tire levers or patch kit.
Smart Cycling: Road Rules
September 21st, 2024 8:00am at Senior Center
Certified instructors will lead the class through an interactive and in-depth discussion of the following principles, while applying them to the Fort Collins area: 1.The Basics: Choosing a bike, maintenance, clothing/equipment, helmet, bike handling, shifting gears 2. Principles of Bicycling: Riding in a group, sharing paths/trails, inclement weather, night riding, long distances 3. Principles of Traffic Law: where to ride on the road, navigating intersections, rural roads 4. Bike Infrastructure 5. Hazards: Crashes and how to avoid them, five layers of safety. This session will help build an understanding of traffic laws as they apply to bicyclists, and provide strategies to increase safety and confidence while riding throughout the community. The target audience ranges from current bicycle commuters to people who are interested but concerned about using a bicycle for transportation. Smart Cycling Part 1 is a prerequisite to Smart Cycling Part 2: Road Skills (on bike). Class will be held in person at the Fort Collins Senior Center. After signing up, students will be emailed before the class with more details.
Smart Cycling Road Skills
September 21st, 2024 1:00pm at Walk and Wheel Skills Hub, 1600 W Drake Rd
Smart Cycling is a course for moderately experienced, returning and seasoned cyclists alike that will give you the confidence to ride safely and legally in traffic or on the trail. You will learn how to conduct bicycle safety checks, on-bike handling skills and crash avoidance techniques. The class consists of approximately 5 hours of bike handling skills practice and a ride on city streets and trails. We recommended this class for adults and youth above age 14 (ages 12-14 can be accepted upon instructor approval). Participants should be prepared to ride their bicycle as there is a riding portion to this class. A helmet and bicycle in good working condition are required- if you don't have these please email the instructor contact to arrange to borrow them.
Contact Us#
For businesses interested in hosting a Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day breakfast station in the future, please subscribe to our business email list (form at the top right of this page).
For more information on Winter Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day, please contact AnnMarie Kirkpatrick at akirkpatrick@fcgov.com or at 970-416-4384.
For more information on bicycling class offerings, contact lnagle@fcgov.com or at 970-224-6112.