Bicycle Safety Education

Position Paper (pdf)

Creating a safer riding environment for bicyclists is one of the primary missions of the League of American Bicyclists. In an effort to achieve this objective, the League promotes safe and effective bicycling through various awareness and education programs. Specifically, the League encourages the instruction of vehicular cycling principles and techniques to as large and wide an audience as possible, presented by individuals certified as League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) through its Bike Ed program.

Vehicular cycling is based on the principle that bicyclists should act and be treated as drivers of vehicles and the fact that in all states bicyclists have the rights and responsibilities of drivers of vehicles.

The League especially encourages presentation of components of its Bicycle Education Program (League Bike Ed).
Specifically, the League believes:

1. Children should participate in bicycle safety education programs consistent with elements of the League Bike Ed program to enhance their safety and enjoyment of bicycling; as a precursor to learning to operate a motor vehicle; and to increase their appreciation of cycling as a lifetime sport.

2. Adults should be exposed to the League Bike Ed program as cyclists and/or potential cyclists to increase their safety while riding and to increase their awareness of the health benefits of bicycling as exercise and the environmental benefits of using bicycles as transportation.

3. The curriculum of all driver-education programs, whether in secondary schools, private driving schools, or courses sponsored by public or not-for-profit agencies, should include information on bicyclists' rights and responsibilities and responsible road-sharing with bicycles as found in the League Bike Ed's Motorists Education course.

The League supports efforts by public agencies and private organizations to make motorists aware of bicyclists' rights and responsibilities and to make bicyclists aware of their legal responsibilities.

The League encourages affiliated organizations to promote and participate in bicycling education projects consistent with Bike Ed in cooperation with local organizations and bicycle dealers.
The League will continue to develop and adapt the Bike Ed curriculum and program to include the latest teaching principles and techniques and to widen its reach to those in need of training.

The League will work toward a unified national bicycling safety education program through participation in the National Bicycle Safety Network.

Background
Knowledge by both cyclists and motorists of the principles of vehicular cycling and traffic laws are necessary for the safety of bicyclists. Increased awareness of, and adherence to, the principles of vehicular cycling will also increase acceptance of bicycles as a legitimate part of the traffic mix.

(Approved by the Board of Directors, December 1985; amended August 2001 and March 2005).