|
|
Dear California Association of,
As 2025 draws to a close, we at the American Bicycling Education Association are deeply grateful to our donors, contributors, instructors, and students for their ongoing support. You have our sincere appreciation. |
Education Matters - Now More Than Ever |
Most bicycling advocacy focuses on infrastructure, like bike lanes and paths. While infrastructure can be beneficial to bicyclists, it will never replace the need for education. A bike lane doesn't teach you how to navigate an intersection, manage your sight lines, or handle unexpected hazards, such as a car door that opens suddenly or a child running in front of you. And now, bike lanes and cycletracks are usually no match for ebike speeds that exceed their maximum design speed (width and sight lines). Facilitating the efficiency and usefulness of these vehicles requires us to rethink the safety accommodations of previous decades. In addition, changes in federal funding priorities make non-infrastructure solutions more important than ever. In these uncertain times, bicyclists urgently need the tools and skills we teach to enjoy bicycles for exercise and recreation, of course, but even more importantly, for a budget-friendly transportation option. CyclingSavvy has always offered strategic tools to empower riders, and we’re committed to reaching even more in the years ahead. |
What We Accomplished in 2024-2025 |
During the past year, ABEA continued offering our signature CyclingSavvy in-person and online courses, teaching skills and knowledge to keep bicyclists riding safely and confidently. As community-builders, we have offered online discussion to our free and paid members. Our Essentials and Club Rider courses, as well as a host of safe riding materials and articles, remain available, free of charge, on our website. We were proud to be selected by Zoomo, an ebike rental company, to consult in their production of an ebike safety course video for their customers, most of whom are delivery riders in New York City. This partnership ensured state-of-the-practice education for these riders who depend on their bikes for their livelihood. E-bike use among teens continues to skyrocket, and with it an increase in incidents, accidents, and injuries to young riders. In 2024, we rolled out our comprehensive Teen Ebike Training course specifically tailored for teens and young drivers to help them ride their ebikes responsibly and safely. We teach defensive driving and crash avoidance and how to foster a culture of cooperation. The injury prevention community has taken notice — a Level One Trauma Center has already signed on to our program. We are working hard to market this course to parents, schools, and governmental entities to counteract the specific dangers posed by ebikes, especially as regulations lag behind unsafe products that are marketed to young riders. E-bike use is also increasing for adults and older riders. Our PowerSavvy e-bike course for adults helps riders master the knowledge and skills necessary to ride safer, remove the fear barrier, and navigate complex traffic situations with confidence.
Our Group Ride Leader training course rolled out in 2025 and was an instant hit with bike clubs and individual riders alike. This comprehensive training equips leaders with the skills necessary to organize and lead safer group rides. We continue to update our Street Smarts booklet, available both in print and online, and have produced Spanish language versions for Spain and North America. |
Teachers and law enforcement officers tasked with educating kids about e-bike safety have been asking us for teaching materials they can use in their classrooms and communities. We need funding to produce these materials and put proven bicycle education techniques in the hands of those on the front lines of youth safety. We want to keep offering free courses and materials, update content, produce new courses, and translate resources into additional languages. We cannot do this alone — your continued support and donations will go a long way to help us reach our goals. |
We know that cost of living is high right now and budgets are tight for many families. We're especially grateful for every donation during these challenging times, and we’re inspired by everyone’s generosity to work hard at making all our communities safer. Our mission is to empower bicyclists to ride safely and confidently anywhere they wish to go. Whether the goal is to help the environment, get exercise, save money, or just introduce joy into daily travels, bicycling has so much to offer each of us. Education has the power to make it accessible for all. Your donation this year and beyond helps us reach young riders before they get hurt, equip teachers and law enforcement with the tools they need, and continue offering free resources to riders who need them most. Thank you for helping us put knowledge and confidence within every rider's reach.
With gratitude,
The ABEA Board of Directors |
|
|
|
You received this email because you subscribed to our list. You can unsubscribe at any time. American Bicycling Education Association P.O. Box 195023 Winter Springs, Florida 32719 USA |
|
|
|
