If you are a nerd like me and sit around thinking up words and phrases to describe various things, then you have come across the right blog! ;-)

When I became president of a local cycling club and a League Certified Instructor (LCI) through the League of American Cyclists, I decided to start a TRUE beginner group. It would be a non-competitive, educational ride. I wanted to take novice riders and teach them how to be “good” cyclists. Many people think that a good cyclists is a strong cyclist, and there is a big difference. I know a lot of strong cyclist with whom I would not ride. They are careless and negligent, particularly for the rules and laws of the roads (as an LCI, I teach “vehicular cycling, which treats a bicycle as another form of transportation). With this group, I wanted to set the standard for group cycling.

One day I was standing in line to get the new iPhone 3GS. I started talking to a couple who recently moved to the Ridgeland area. He said something that struck me and has really defined my approach to teaching. He said, “We really had to learn how to drive around so many cyclists.” It was at that point that I realized that it was a reciprocal relationship. Not only were we learning about being better cyclists, but we were also teaching motorists how to drive around us. Have you ever thought of your cycling as a pedagogical method for improving cycling safety in your area? You may want to consider your conduct while cycling the next time you mount the bike!

Josh L. Sullivan