Main Library - Community Room, 449 Broadway
Learn about the basics of biking in Cambridge through the winter! This workshop covers the following topics:
- Winter-specific riding considerations and techniques
- Staying at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather is like
- Route planning
- Multi-modal commuting
- Using safety equipment, including helmet, lights, and reflective gear
- Rules of the Road and staying safe while biking
Saturday, February 8, 2020 Cambridge Public Library - Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl St
Want to learn hands-on how to fix your bike or already know how but need tools and a repair stand? Experienced mechanics will be on hand to set you up on a bike stand and provide instruction and guidance if desired! Bring your bike and/or bike-related questions.
To register for workshops, email aphilson@cambridgema.gov.
Bicycle Light Installation Nights
- As the days are getting shorter, make sure you're staying visible on the road with bike lights!
- This fall through winter, Cambridge City staff and volunteers will be on the streets at different points throughout the city handing out free bike lights to cyclists biking by without them :
- Monday, October 28, 2019: 5:30-7:30pm: Central Square at Carl F Barron Plaza
- Tuesday, November 5, 2019: 3:00-6:30pm: Cambridge Rindge & Latin; Cambridge Public Library - Main Branch [cancelled due to weather - will be rescheduled]
- Monday, November 18, 2019: 4:30-6:30pm: Russell Field House; Fresh Pond Apartments [cancelled due to weather - will be rescheduled]
- Monday, December 2, 2019: 4:30-6:30pm: Inman Square - Cambridge St at Hampshire St [cancelled due to weather - rescheduled to Thursday, December 5, 2019]
- Monday, December 16, 2019: 2:30-6:30: Cambridge Street Upper School; East Cambridge - Sixth St at Cambridge St
- Monday, January 6, 2020: 3:00-6:30pm: Cambridge Rindge & Latin; Cambridge Public Library - Main Branch
- Monday, January 27, 2020: 5:30-6:30pm: Porter MBTA station Plaza
- Monday February 10, 2020: 5:00-7:00pm: The Port - Broadway at Windsor St
- Monday February 24, 2020: 5:00-7:00pm: Harvard Square Plaza
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.