In collaboration with the Bike Library, Bicyclists of Iowa City is offering scholarships to cover the cost of a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) seminar to be hosted in Iowa City in April of 2022 by the League of American Bicyclists.

 

League Cycling Instructors are ambassadors for better biking through education. After earning certification through a 3-day, League Coach-led seminar, LCIs teach Smart Cycling classes and other offerings to children as well as adults. Their goal is to help people feel more secure about getting on a bike, to create a mindset that bikes are treated as a vehicle, and to ensure that people on bikes know how to ride safely and legally.

 

In our community LCIs will form the core of a committee to design and organize cycling classes for a spectrum of adults, children, and bikers with a wide ability levels. People with LCI certification will frequently be found leading rides too.

 

Please read all of the information below before applying for the scholarship. To apply and for additional information contact Bob Oppliger (boboppliger@gmail.com) Education & Advocacy Coordinator for BIC.

 

People who are members of historically marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Scholarship Information

The scholarship is for the LCI seminar registration, $500, and includes a required membership to the League of American Bicyclists.

 

Recipient Expectations

  • There are some additional costs involved with obtaining and using your LCI certification.
  • Membership to the League of American Bicyclists ($45) (1st year covered)
  • Maintain League membership annually ($45)
  • Meet minimum League required hours per year in a bicycle-related educational activity
  • Annual LCI renewal fee ($25)
  • Teach 2-3 classes annually in the community

After your successful completion of the LCI Seminar, the cost of your membership and LCI renewal can be offset by teaching a few classes through offerings from area communities

 

Requirements

In order to register for the LCI seminar, you need to have previously completed the Smart Cycling Complete Class. We will offer the class, free, (including a 3.5 hr. online and 4 hr. hands- on session) prior to the seminar. All candidates MUST complete this class with an 85% or better score at least three weeks prior to the LCI seminar.

Seminar Details The LCI training seminar focuses on teaching and demonstration techniques used with future students both on the road and in the classroom. The seminar emphasis is on how to teach bicycle safety and skills to provide increased comfort and confidence for new and returning bicyclists and youth. The seminar does not emphasize the content or specific details of the cycling course curricula. It is primarily about teaching, and each candidate will have opportunities during the seminar to practice facilitating parts of the Smart Cycling curriculum, both in the classroom and in the parking lot. The seminar is normally one evening and two full days. Generally, 1/3 of the time is on-bike, so students should be prepared to ride.

 

Equipment

A working bicycle (must have at least one functioning hand brake), helmet, and bike lights are required for the LCI Seminar. The Bike Library can loan any or all of these if you don’t have them.

 

Expectations

The League expects that experienced bicyclists are seeking certification. This class is meant primarily to focus on how best to teach bicycling education – this weekend is not about learning how to ride safely, it’s about teaching. If you don’t feel like you are experienced enough, don’t worry, we can help you get there before the seminar! We can talk about this more after you apply.

 

Certification Attendance at all seminar hours is mandatory and does not guarantee certification. The seminar Coach approves the certification, but approval rates are high. Attendees of the LCI Seminar are expected to have full incorporation of the idea that all people who ride bicycles are equal cyclists, regardless of capability, political affiliation, race, gender, age, or religion and that all students deserve respectful, polite, and meaningful instruction.

 

Timeline

Below is the timeline for this scholarship process. Please keep in mind that the closer we get to the date of the LCI seminar, the more we will home in our times to be more exact. The times shown below are subject to change, and when you are determining if you can commit or not keep in mind that this change typically is a

reduction in time commitment, not an addition.

February 15, 2022: Scholarship Applications Due

Set Up Meet & Greet: Scholarship applicants will be contacted to set up a short virtual meet and greet

March 1, 2022: Applicants will be notified of their award status

March 15: Smart Cycling Completion Deadline

 

LCI Seminar Day 1

TBD (early April) 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

LCI Seminar Day 2

TBD (early April) 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

LCI Seminar Day 3

TBD (early April) 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.