Here is my two cents worth.
I have read a lot of this discussion and skimmed some too. I have been involved in cycling in Ottawa since 1985. I have been to many rodeos, bike clinics, and taught over 10 years as a CAN-BIKE instructor. I worked with the former Kanata OPP on their rodeos for several years. We used the AAA rodeo booklet. This booklet has about 10 stations where real road skills are practised. Skills include: Spotting what is wrong, Shoulder checks (car, no car), rock dodge, braking, simulated road with stop sign, simulated road with left turn. Kids were marked on each station and given a mark of 1 to 5. No zeros. We had some very good kids at the rodeo who scored high marks, but most did not. Some of those that scored high, I had taught in CAN- BIKE. This showed to me how much kids really do not know about cycling. I have been involved in other rodeos that did not even come close to what the road skills being taught in the AAA rodeo. These are nothing more than a few balancing drills, and dogging a few cones. Most are run by individuals and groups who have very little cycling knowledge. The CAN-BIKE festival (rodeo style event) has good road skills which include: braking, shoulder checks, and a few other roads skills I cannot recall. These are also good. The extra step here is that certified CAN-BIKE instructors are involved. The main problem with rodeos, even AAA and CAN-BIKE festivals, is that they do not offer repetitive instruction. If a parent is not involved enough to participate with their child and learn what they learn so that they can repeat the training later, several times over, it is of little use. CAN-BIKE is the only course I know of that teaches repetitive road skills. When I teach a CAN-BIKE course, usually I will see a student for four or five lessons. This gives the child time to practice at home. This also gives the child a chance to forget and be get repeat instruction so it is drilled into their head. I am not saying CAN-BIKE is the only bike course, but it miles above any others and their are not many to choose from anyway. CAN-BIKE does not teach touring skills are bad. Double file riding is and rotations are not taught. CAN-BIKE does teach single file riding because that is what most casual and commuter cyclists will find most effective. If students do go onto a club then they can then learn touring skills there. Finally, the OBC touring skills course. The OBC does well to teach it members skills before sending the masses onto the road. However, time and content are limited. Peter McNichol CAN-BIKE Instructor ------ To unsubscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED], (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
