(TESTING FOR ROAD ONE OR KIDS TWO)
The Road Riding Safety Assessment is the testing administered for the League
of American Bicyclists Road
One, or Kids Two
graduates who believe they are ready to ride by themselves in traffic.
All
testing is administered by a League
Cycling Instructor (LCI), insured by American
Specialty.
The Road Riding Safety Assessment consists, first, of reviewing the information
contained in the Road One Course booklet and the Effective Cycling video. The
student then takes a 30-question multiple choice written test. The questions and answers are reviewed with
the student by an LCI. The student must
score a grade of 80% or better to pass.
Then the LCI tests the student over a 5-mile road test. Again, the instructor discusses any problems
seen in the student. 80% again is the
passing score.
The Road Riding Safety Assessment tests knowledge of traffic law, an understanding of
which is necessary to operate any vehicle safely on our roadways, including the
concepts of first come first served; traffic keeps to the right in this
country; all vehicle operators must obey all signs and signals; faster traffic
passes on the left, traffic from a slower road must yield to traffic from a
faster road, and instruction on proper placement in an intersection to use left
turn, through and right turn lanes.
The Road Riding Safety Assessment also checks knowledge of those aspects of riding a
bike in traffic that are unique to the bicycle because the bicycle is smaller,
narrower and usually slower than most motorized vehicles on the road, including
being visible and predictable; using the right most lane going in your
direction; and proper positioning in the lane. In addition, some
knowledge of rudimentary mechanical instruction is tested also, such as
teaching how to fix a flat tire, explaining derailleur and gears, and
discussion of bicycle accessories like a pump, reflectors and tool kit.
The Road Riding Safety Assessment takes about 4 hours. The charge is $30/family.
A State Grant,
arranged through the office of Representative Steve Samuelson, has provided
funding so the testing is free for members of the Lehigh Wheelmen Association
who lead rides, members of the Valley Mountain Bikers who work as trail patrol
volunteers, and for all enforcement officers in Lehigh and Northampton Counties
in Pennsylvania..
CAT offers The Road Riding Safety Assessment every fourth Saturday of the month at the Bethlehem Bicycle Cooperative (BBC). Please call 610-954-5744 or email bbc@car-free.org for more information.
31 cyclists received Road Riding Safety Assessments from CAT coordinated LCIs in 2005.