Bethesda
Published on August 14, 2024 at 9:50 am
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting adult bike riding classes throughout Montgomery County in September, October, and November. These classes include learn-to-ride and basic skills classes. In addition, MCDOT is offering four free e-scooter classes to individuals without pre-registration immediately following select bike riding classes.
According to MCDOT: “Pre-registration is required to participate in the bike classes. The cost is $10 for Montgomery County residents, and free for WABA or Capital Bikeshare For All members. Bikes and helmets are provided for adult Learn to Bike participants and can be borrowed from WABA for a fee for Basic Skills participants if needed. Scooter classes are free.”
“Cycling plays an important role in improving the health, well-being and sustainability of our community,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We are proud to offer our residents affordable adult cycling classes that will give them the skills and confidence they need to cycle safely and effectively. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this valuable opportunity.”
Participants in the Learn to Ride a Bike course learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal and steer. Each student progresses at their own pace. Participants in the Basic Skills course should be able to ride a bike and practice basic cycling skills.
The courses are open to residents aged 18 and over, are limited to 25 people and fill up quickly.
Online registration for September courses is currently open on the WABA website under the Courses tab. Registration for October courses begins on Monday, September 9th at 9am and registration for November courses begins on Monday, October 7th at 9am.
Schedule of the adult cycling course:
- Saturday, September 7. 9 a.m.-noon. Wheaton Ice Arena (rear parking lot), 11717 Orebaugh Drive, Wheaton. *Free roller skating class follows (noon-2 p.m.).
- Sunday, September 22. 9 a.m. to noon. Davis Construction at Twinbrook Metro Center I, 12530 Parklawn Drive, Rockville.
Sunday, September 29. 9 a.m.-noon. Upper County Community Recreation Center, 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg. *Free scooter class follows (noon-2 p.m.).
- Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, White Oak.
- Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Germantown Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown.
- Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot), 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. *Followed by free scooter class (1 p.m.-3 p.m.).
- Sunday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Farm Women’s Market, Lot 24, 4601 Leland St., Bethesda.
- Saturday, November 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring.
Schedule of the basic bicycle course for adults:
- Sunday, October 6. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Montgomery College (Parking Lot 13), 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville. *Followed by free scooter class (12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.).
- Saturday, November 2. 10 a.m. to noon. GEICO Chevy Chase Building, 5260 Western Ave., Chevy Chase.
The rain dates for all adult bike and e-scooter courses are two weeks after the original course date and time.
Free, two-hour scooter courses for adults will be offered on four selected days immediately following the bike courses on September 7, September 29, October 6 and October 27. No pre-registration is required for the scooter courses. Anyone over the age of 18 with a valid driver’s license or ID card can come along at any time. Scooters will be provided.
“We’ve seen tremendous demand for our adult cycling classes,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Since spring 2021, more than 600 residents have attended these classes. This fall, we added two more classes and expanded to two new locations. We expect this interest to continue to grow as we actively expand our bike network. We recently completed bike lanes in Olney and Clarksburg, and work is underway on separated bike lanes in Bethesda and Downtown Silver Spring.”
To register for the cycling classes, visit waba.org/classes. For more information and information about future cancellations due to inclement weather, visit MCDOT’s website here or call 240-777-8380.
