The City of Cambridge is proud to offer bicycle education workshops throughout the year, free to those who work or live in Cambridge. To register for classes, please click the link below. All classes are paid for by the City of Cambridge and every participant receives one free helmet each year. For any questions or to schedule a helmet pick up, email aphilson@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6012. Please stay tuned for updates.
Upcoming Bike Workshops:
North Cambridge Bicycle Camp
June 28 – July 2, 2021
9:00am — 1:00pm
Danehy Park - St. Peter's Field
161 Garden St
Ages 10-12
This on-bicycle camp empowers students to realize the Freedom the Bicycle provides by teaching them to fix bikes, navigate Cambridge traffic safely through both direct instruction and time on the road, while sharing how they can shape the future of what bicycling looks like in our community. All bicycling skill levels welcome.
Don’t own a bicycle or helmet? No problem, the City of Cambridge will provide them if needed!
Healthy Aging and Cycling:
Unit 1: Power Pedal Fitness Classes (April 6-June 24)
Unit 2: On-Bike Skills Clinic (June 21-June 30)
Unit 3: Urban Cycling: Summer Fridays Group Ride series (June 25-September 1)
Power Pedal
Tuesdays and Thursdays April 6-June 24
12:30-1:30pm
Virtual
Ages 50+
Register Here
Extended due to popular demand, this series now goes through June 24!
A collaboration between Cambridge’s Community Development Department and Council on Aging, this free 8-week class series is intended to help older adults of all abilities get into bicycling shape. Instructors Cindy Sullivan (Tuesdays) and Hua Chin (Thursdays) will take you through a comprehensive regime of strength, balance, flexibility, and reflex/agility work designed to especially improve bicycling mobility movements and performance – whether you are looking to get back on a bicycle after many years of riding or get in shape for the upcoming season. No equipment necessary, although there will be the option to incorporate hand weights or household items for added resistance. Missed a class? Check out the full series on our YouTube page.
On-Bicycle Clinics
Mondays and Wednesdays
8:00-10amDanehy Park – St. Peter’s Basketball Courts
161 Garden St
Ages 50+
Sign Up Here
There is more to learn about bicycling than just pedaling! This on-bicycle skills clinic will help you brush up your bicycling skills with a specific focus on bicycling as an older adult. Instructors will work with small groups to focus on building the skills, stability, and confidence necessary to bicycle. All skill and ability levels welcome!
Helmets and a limited number of bicycles will be provided.
Summer Fridays: Group Ride Series
Fridays beginning June 25, 2021
8:15 — 9:00 AM (meet), 9:00 AM (start rolling)
Meeting point sent via email
Register for Emails Here
All are welcome, although this slow roll group ride series caters to older adults. Rides will gradually increase in mileage, while maintaining a relaxing pace. Beginning with off-street paths, rides will focus on improving comfortability on-bike as well as introduce navigating the city by bicycle.
Interested, but not ready to get on your bicycle? Bring coffee and join us 8:15 – 9:00 AM pre-ride for a bicycle-centered Meet 'N' Greet!
Videos of Past Bike Workshops
Community Bike Workshops
Healthy Aging and Bicycling Series
Youth Bicycle Education Workshops
For more information
For more information about workshops, email aphilson@cambridgema.gov.
Class Descriptions
Bicycle Maintenance Basics
This workshop covers the following topics:
- The anatomy of the bike
- Removing wheels
- Fixing flats
- Chain Maintenance
- Pre-Ride check
- Seat height
- Portable tool kit
- Keeping your bike healthy with preventative bike maintenance
Beyond Maintenance Basics
This workshop covers the following topics:
- Basic repair tools
- Thoroughly cleaning and lubricating your bike
- Removing both wheels
- Completely changing a flat tire
- Pinpointing squeaks and rattles
- Removing pedals
- Adjusting front and rear brakes + derailleurs,
- Dealing with a broken spoke
Winter Biking Basics
This workshop covers the following topics:
- Benefits of biking, including better personal health, saved money, environmental benefits, and others
- Staying at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather is like
- Route planning
- Locking
- Multi-modal commuting
- Staying dry and clean
- Using safety equipment, including helmet, lights, and reflective gear
- Rules of the Road and staying safe while biking
On-Bike Refresher Course
The Basics of Better Biking class is a three hour class designed for adults who want to get back into bicycling, improve cycling skills, learn to ride more effectively and safely in traffic, and/or participate in a large-scale benefit ride. This three-hour weekend session provides guided instruction with simple practice drills in a parking lot, easy-paced riding on local roadways for short distances, and group-discussion breaks along the way. Topics covered include bike and helmet fitting, starting and stopping your bike in traffic, shifting gears, scanning and yielding, choosing the correct lane position in the road, handling intersections, and more.
Some notes about the class:
- A bicycle in good working order and a helmet are required.
- Preregistration is required.
- This class is intended for participants 18 and older, unless otherwise noted.
Riding with Families
- Options for biking with children, such as front seats, rear seats, front cargo bikes, bike trailers
- How is biking with kids different than biking solo?
- How can I bike with my children when there are no routes with bike infrastructure?
- How young is too young for children to be with parents while biking?
- What does the law say for children?
- How is buying bikes for children different from buying bikes for adults?
- How do I appropriately fit a child to a bicycle?
- How do I teach children the rules of the road?
- What is the Safe Routes to School program?
Rules of the Road
This workshop covers the following topics:
- Bike safety statistics
- Rules of the road
- Bike-specific laws and legislation
- Car-specific laws and legislation
- General safety tips
- Current legislative efforts
- Motivation for obeying traffic laws
Urban Cycling Basics
This workshop covers the following topics:
- Finding the right kind of bike
- Route planning
- Safety equipment, including lights and a helmet
- Locking properly
- Transporting small loads or children by bike
- Multi-modal commuting
- Rules of the road and safety tips.
For More Information
For more information about bicycle workshops or bicycle education in Cambridge, please contact Adi Philson, aphilson@cambridgema.gov, 617/349-6012.