OBC offers tuition assistance for LCI candidates

Normally I wouldn't include my Examiner posts here on CycleDog, but this deserves to be widely disseminated.

The following is from Peter Cramer at the Oklahoma Bicycling Coalition:

The OBC has established a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for graduates of Road One/Traffic Skills 101 who desire to become a certified League Cycling Instructor (LCI). Interested bicyclists should download the TAP application (pdf) and familiarize themselves with the League of American Bicyclists LCI requirements.

The League of American Bicyclists is the premiere organization working to assert cyclist's rights. Bicycling education is a major part of that effort. Traffic Skills 101 (formerly Road1) is the mainstay of the education program, and is analogous to the widely accepted Driver's Ed training for new motorists. However, Traffic Skills training is beneficial to both new and experienced cyclists as it incorporates practical 'skills and drills' intended to make us safer, more aware road users. Just like motorcyclists who have to know the same rules of the road as any motorist, buy also need an additional skill set to operate safely on two wheels, cyclists need a similar 'tool set'. LAB Traffic Skills helps them to develop those skills.

The League Cycling Instructor training builds on the foundation of Road1 or Traffic Skills 101. LCIs aren't meant to know everything about cycling, however. They're trained to teach the elements of Road1. The emphasis is on clear communication rather than wide-ranging knowledge. Instructors fill many advocacy roles with a primary responsibility for teaching, of course, though many of us have extensive contacts within the local cycling community.

Believe me, there's nothing like the thrill of seeing a student's eyes light up when he suddenly 'gets it' and the realization dawns that cycling on the road can be a comfortable and highly enjoyable experience.