The Community Bicycle Education Program is coordinated by Discovery Routes, in cooperation with several community partners and developed around Cycling Canada’s CAN-BIKE curriculum. The goal of the program is to build a culture of safe cycling in and around North Bay while encouraging the safe and responsible use of the local trails. A variety of cycling courses have been offered throughout the years that focus on helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge to ride for commuting and for recreation in a safe way. Please contact [email protected] or call 705-472-8480 ext 223 with questions or for more information.
About the Program
The Community Bicycle Education Program has been developed based on CAN-BIKE principles and course offerings. Cycling Canada’s CAN-BIKE program is a series of progressional courses taught on all aspects of cycling defensively. Our Program offers cycling courses for community members of all abilities. From commuting to work or school, or simply enjoying the many paths and trails, these courses will equip you with the skills needed to bike confidently and safely. By providing access to cycling programming, the organization hopes to encourage the responsible use of all cycling facilities and inspire a culture of aware and confident cyclists. Courses are delivered by CAN-BIKE trained and certified instructors who strive to make all instruction engaging and enjoyable. Regardless of your cycling experience to date, we can help you out!
Discovery Routes offers individual and group courses upon request. Find out more about some of the bicycle education programs that have been offered locally in the past: Community Bicycle Education – Programs
Bike Fit and Cycling Resources
Sizing Your Bike
All Community Bicycle Education Program courses require participants to arrive with a properly sized bicycle in good working order. If you are unsure if your bicycle is properly sized and in good repair, please ensure that you verify with the Program Coordinator the cycling equipment that you plan to use for a course well in advance of the course start date. Instructors will verify the equipment of all participants and conduct a safety check on the first day of the course prior to riding. Participants’ bikes that are deemed unsafe will not be permitted to participate.
Regardless of the style of bicycle that you ride, it should fit properly, making it easy to control and comfortable to ride. Check your frame size, seat height, and handlebar adjustments as these are critical fitting points on your bicycle.
Frame Size
Frame size varies by type of bicycle, but as a general rule, you should be able to stand flat-footed over your bike’s frame (top tube) with two to five centimetres of space. For a woman’s frame bike, when sitting on the seat, the base of the seat should be at least five centimetres above the seat tube when the tips of both feet touch the ground.
Seat and Handlebar Height Adjustment
Positioning your seat properly will help make your pedaling more efficient and reduce strain on your knees. To ensure your seat is at the correct height, sit on the seat with the balls of your feet on the pedals. At the bottom of the pedal stroke, your legs should be almost straight with your knees slightly bent.
In a normal riding position, your weight should be evenly balanced, allowing you to rest your hands lightly on the handlebars. You can adjust the tilt of your seat and the height of your handlebars to achieve a good balance of weight. Your handlebar stem and seat post must be at least five centimetres into the frame. Both usually have a mark that indicates the maximum extension point. Longer seat posts and stems are available if you need them.
Buying a Bike and Additional Cycling Resources
Many factors should be taken into consideration when purchasing a bike. We recommend that you talk with one of our fantastic, knowledgeable local bike shop employee to determine which bicycle best fits your cycling needs. Some background about fitting your bike can be found at the following links:
Mountain Equipment Coop – Fitting Your Bike – An overview of considerations when purchasing a new bike
Bicycle Safety Resources in Ontario – Whether you’re new to cycling or you are an experienced cyclist, this page contains important information, tips and techniques on a variety of cycling-related topics