Montgomery County, MD

08/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/13/2024 13:43

Montgomery County to Offer Adult Bike and E-Scooter Classes in September, October and November

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will offer adult bike classes in September, October and November at various sites around the County. The classes are taught by experienced Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) instructors and include Learn to Ride and Basic Skills classes. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up e-scooter classes following select bike classes.

Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes. The cost is $10 for Montgomery County residents, but there is no charge for WABA or Capital Bikeshare For All members. Bicycles and helmets will be provided for the adult Learn to Ride class participants and can be rented for a fee from WABA, if needed, for the Basic Skills class participants. Scooter classes are free of charge.

"Biking plays an important role in enhancing our community's health, well-being and sustainability," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "We are proud to offer low-cost adult bike classes to our residents, providing them with the skills and confidence needed to bike safely and effectively. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this valuable opportunity."

Participants in the Learn to Ride bicycle classes will learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal and steer a bike. Each student will progress at their own pace. Students in the Basic Skills class should be able to ride a bicycle and will practice basic biking skills.

The classes are open to residents 18 and over, are limited to 25 people and fill up quickly.

Online registration is currently open for September classes on the WABA website under the Classes tab. Registration for October classes will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, and November class registration will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.

Adult Learn to Ride Bike Class  schedule:

  • Saturday, Sept. 7. 9 a.m.-noon. Wheaton Ice Arena (back parking lot), 11717 Orebaugh Drive, Wheaton. *Free scooter class to follow (noon- 2 p.m.).
  • Sunday, Sept. 22. 9 a.m.-noon. Davis Construction at Twinbrook Metro Center I, 12530 Parklawn Drive, Rockville.

Sunday, Sept. 29. 9 a.m.-noon. Upper County Community Recreation Center, 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg. *Free scooter class to follow (noon-2 p.m.).

  • Saturday, Oct. 5. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, White Oak.
  • Sunday, Oct. 27. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot), 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. *Free scooter class to follow (1-3 p.m.).
  • Sunday, Nov. 3. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Farm Women's Market, Lot 24, 4601 Leland St., Bethesda.
  • Saturday, Nov. 9. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road., Silver Spring.

Adult Basic Skills Bike Class schedule:

  • Sunday, Oct. 6. 10 a.m.-noon. Montgomery College (parking lot 13), 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville. *Free scooter class to follow (noon-2 p.m.).
  • Saturday, Nov. 2. 10 a.m.-noon. GEICO Chevy Chase Building, 5260 Western Ave., Chevy Chase.

Rain dates for all the adult bike and e-scooter classes will be two weeks after the original class date and time.

Free, two-hour adult scooter classes are being offered on a drop-in basis on four select days immediately following the bike classes on Sept. 7, Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and Oct. 27. Scooter classes do not require pre-registration. Anyone 18 or over with a valid driver's license or ID can drop in anytime. Scooters are provided.

"We have seen tremendous demand for our adult bike classes," said Chris Conklin, director of MCDOT. "Since spring 2021, more than 600 residents have participated in these trainings. This fall, we've added two additional classes and expanded to two new locations. We anticipate this interest will continue to grow as we actively expand our bike network. Recently, we completed bike paths in Olney and Clarksburg, and work is underway on separated bike lanes in Bethesda and Downtown Silver Spring."

To register for the bike classes, visit waba.org/classes. For more information, and to view any future inclement weather cancellations, visit MCDOT's website here or call 240-777-8380.

For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X,  Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT's "Go Montgomery!" newsletter.

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