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The Center for Cycling Education

> Online traffic skills courses / learn-to-ride lessons

  • ONLINE COURSES
    • Traffic Smarts for Cyclists
      • Purchasing for your organization
      • Purchasing for friends & family members
      • Applying a coupon code
    • ‘Defensive Cycling’ (ticket dismissal)
      • Info for courts, attorneys, & LEOs
      • Info for course participants
        • Austin, TX and region
        • Houston, TX
        • Resources
    • Navigation, interactivity, & quizzes
  • CYCLING SKILLS
    • Equipment
      • Choosing & fitting your bike helmet
    • Bike handling
      • Shifting gears
  • CYCLING LAWS
    • Canada
      • AB – Alberta
        • AB – Alberta Traffic Safety Act
      • BC – British Columbia
        • British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act
      • SK – Saskatchewan
        • Saskatchewan Traffic Safety Act
        • Regina: Traffic bylaw — Cyclists
        • Saskatoon: Cycling bylaw
    • USA
      • Uniform Vehicle Code
      • CA – California
        • CA Vehicle Code
        • Santa Monica
          • Santa Monica Municipal Code
      • TX – Texas
        • TX Transportation Code
        • Austin Code of Ordinances
        • Houston Code of Ordinances
      • VA – Virginia
        • VA – Code of Virginia: Motor Vehicles
  • ON-BIKE TRAINING
    • Riding in traffic
    • Learn to ride a bike
      • Read one mother’s story
      • About the training
      • Saskatoon, SK
      • Austin, TX
Home » ‘Defensive Cycling’: An online course for dismissing a traffic ticket » Defensive Cycling online: information for course participants

Defensive Cycling online: information for course participants

Online ticket dismissal course for cyclists

Available for implementation anywhere in the USA and Canada.
Contact us for details.

Did you receive a traffic ticket while riding your bike?

• Have your fine waived and get your citation dismissed by taking this worthwhile course.


We want to help.

If you believe you were ticketed wrongly, or were targeted by police because of your race or for another illegitimate reason, please contact us.

We will provide you access to the course at no cost. The content will provide valuable resources in contesting your case.

As well, we will work with you at no cost to locate an attorney in your area who is experienced and skilled at defending cyclists.

 


Since July of 2010, we have been offering an option to cyclists that has been available to drivers for years – having a traffic ticket waived in exchange for taking part in valuable, effective training.

With this course you will find ways to avoid getting another citation, become more skilled at riding in traffic, and gain more comfort on the road. Valuable for cyclists of all experience levels.

"This is such an excellent resource. I’ve been commuting to school/work for 12 years and consider myself to be a pretty good rider, but I learned so much here. I’ve read plenty of things online and even a few books, but this addressed a lot of concerns I had and presented new info in a way that’s easy to comprehend (the graphics and videos helped a lot).

I liked that I could go back in when I wanted and it kept my place.

I’ve been trying out what I learned on my rides this week, and it’s already making a big difference. Thanks!"

— Stephen R.

Why take the Defensive Cycling course?

By successfully completing it, you will:

  • Meet the requirements to have your fine waived by the court and your traffic ticket dismissed. (Note: you still need to pay your court fee and associated costs.)
  • Keep the offense from being applied to your driving record in error.*
  • Gain valuable techniques that will help you increase your competence and confidence in traffic, even if you are an experienced cyclist.
  • Learn the laws that apply to you as a cyclist, reducing the likelihood of getting a future ticket.

Hello Allan,
Thank you for the heads-up [procedures for dismissing a ticket], the great service and course. I am glad I learned about it from a friend. I have to say that I learned a lot from the course and I now feel I am a safer rider.
Thanks again!
— Nikos B.

Here’s how you can take part in this ‘ticket dismissal’ option:

Cost: $34.95
Time: Approximately 4 hours

  1. Complete and submit a Deferred Disposition form through the court, along with the payment of the court fee and any other associated charges.
  2. Sign up for the online course (choose your location):
    • USA — TX
      • City of Austin / Travis County / City of San Marcos
      • University of Texas at Austin
      • City of Houston / Waller County
    • Other cities: USA
    • Other cities: Canada
  3. Complete the course with a passing grade.
  4. A Certificate of Completion will be prepared and emailed directly to the court, or sent to you to deliver to the court (depending on the jurisdiction).
  5. Once the certificate is processed, the fine will be waived and the ticket dismissed.

Important: Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions regarding your participation in the course.

Ticket dismissal course – important information

  • In order for a certificate to be issued, you must provide your complete and correct Court case (’cause’) number.
    • Austin: ‘8’ (2018) or ‘9’ (2019) + 6-digit number— e.g., 9XXXXXX (Search for your case number here.)
    • Houston: 4-digit year + ‘TR’ + 7-digit number — e.g., 2019TRXXXXXXX
    • San Marcos: 4-digit year + 6-digit number — e.g., 2019XXXXXX
    • Travis County: ‘J5-CR’ (‘Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5’) + 2-digit year + 6-digit number — e.g., J5-CR-19XXXXXX
    • Waller County: ‘T’ + two-digit year + 4-digit number + JP1 — e.g., T19-XXXX-JP1
  • Without this number, a certificate cannot be issued. A traffic citation/ticket number cannot be accepted. We cannot be responsible for any delay in submission of your Certificate of Completion if the necessary information is not provided.
  • It is your responsibility to successfully complete the course (with a score of 80% or greater) in advance of your certificate submission deadline:
    • No later than 7 days before the deadline for Austin or Houston.
    • No later than 14 days before the deadline for Travis County or San Marcos. See below for details.
  • All content in the course must be viewed in order to receive a Certificate of Completion. Any attempts to bypass content and access the quiz(zes) directly will result in an incomplete grade. The Center for Cycling Education may then, at its sole discretion, either offer an opportunity to reattempt the course or else issue a refund less a $15 administrative fee.
  • Please note that we review the access logs for each participant. These logs outline the content viewed, as well as the time spent on the module and the related quiz.
  • Upon successful completion of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be prepared and delivered within five (5) business days. You will be copied on this email:
    • Austin, Houston and Waller County, TX: A PDF version of the certificate will be emailed directly to the Court. You will be copied on this email.
    • Travis County & San Marcos, TX: A PDF version of the certificate along with an accompanying letter will be emailed to you, which you must print out (the certificate must be in color) and mail or take in to the Court.
  • Once the certificate is processed by the Court, the fine will be waived and the ticket dismissed.
  • You have full access to this course for six months from the date of purchase. This is independent of the Court deadline.
  • Completing the course after the completion / certificate submission deadline is not cause for a refund.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us by email, phone or text.

  • Trigger an unresponsive traffic light on your bike. Experienced rider? Make your next ride even better. New to riding in traffic? Put years of experience in your tool kit right now.
    Trigger an unresponsive traffic light on your bike.
  • Improve your daytime (and nighttime) visibility. Seasoned rider? New to cycling in traffic? Add years of experience to your tool kit right now.
    Improve your daytime (and nighttime) visibility.
  • Move away from the curb to make yourself more visible & gain maneuverability. Experienced rider? Make your next ride even better. New to riding in traffic? Put years of experience in your tool kit right now.
    Move away from the curb to be more visible & maneuverable.
  • Pass parked cars without concern. Seasoned rider? New to cycling in traffic? Add years of experience to your tool kit right now.
    Pass parked cars without concern.

Here is what is explored in the course:

How people behave in traffic

How people behave in traffic

  • Our reaction to other people’s errors
  • Video: It’s a 3-Way Street
  • How do these behaviors come about?
  • Our attitude and its impact
  • Monitoring our thoughts
  • Evaluating our skills
  • Learning from our experiences

Bike handling skills

Bike handling skills

  • Parts of the bike
  • Does your bike fit you?
  • Braking
  • Pedaling cadence
  • Riding in a straight line
  • Scanning behind
  • Optional section: Shifting gears

Being an MVP-C

Being an MVP-C

  • Maneuverable: Creating space around you
  • Visible: Being seen, day and night
  • Predictable: Helping others make the right decisions
  • Communicative: Getting across the right messages

Your rights & duties

Your rights & duties

  • Knowing your true place in traffic
  • “But you don’t pay for the roads!” (Yes, we do.)
  • What’s the point of the law?
  • What we expect, and what drivers expect of us
  • Our effect on other cyclists
  • A summary of traffic laws for cyclists:
    • Four levels of traffic laws
    • Definition of a bicycle
    • Required equipment
    • General operation
    • Where to ride on the road
    • Obeying traffic control devices
    • Right of way
    • Riding on sidewalks
    • Parking your bike
    • Legal doesn’t equal safe
    • What if we disagree with a law?

Scanning & signaling

Scanning & signaling

Scanning for traffic

  • Why it’s important
  • Review of steps to make it easier
  • When to scan
  • Using mirrors

Signaling

  • Why it’s important
  • What we need to signal, and tips to make it easier
  • Turns
  • Lane changes
  • Change of position within a lane
  • Stops
  • Pulling onto the roadway
  • Waving thanks
  • Signaling–how, and how often?

Putting it all together

  • Scan, Signal, Scan, Go.
  • How this looks in real life

Choosing your place on the road

Choosing your place on the road

Choosing a lane and lane position

  • A reasoned approach
  • Seeing things from a driver’s perspective
  • Ride with traffic
  • Risks of wrong-way riding
  • How we choose our lane position
  • Avoiding roadside hazards
  • Giving ourselves space
  • How far right?
  • When we can move left
  • Controlling the lane
  • How this helps drivers
  • What our options are
  • Communicating with others
  • Some important considerations
  • Riding on one-way streets
  • What does controlling the lane look like?

Parked cars

  • The potential risks
  • What’s a safe distance?
  • Legal responsibility for drivers & passengers
  • What a safe distance looks like

Bike lanes

  • Do we have to ride in them?
  • What are our options?

Intersections

Intersections

Lane position at intersections

  • A, B or C position?
  • Common driver errors at intersections, and how to discourage them
  • Stopping at an intersection
  • Positioning in bike lanes and at 4-way stops
  • Travelling through the intersection
  • If you ride in ‘C’ position
  • If a driver turns across your path
  • Regardless of what lane position you take…
  • Right turn only lanes

When stopping is required

  • Stop signs and red lights
  • What might you miss?
  • Go! No, stop!
  • Fewer decisions are needed
  • Drivers’ perceptions
  • The cost of a ticket
  • What is the point of the law?
  • Where to stop

Right of way

  • Don’t assume you have it
  • First come, first served
  • Yield to the person on the right
  • Yield if you are turning
  • Taking your turn
  • Pedestrians’ right of way
    • Which is a legal crosswalk?
  • Communicate with others

Traffic lights

  • Why a green light doesn’t mean ‘go’
  • Judging the timing
  • Starting off quickly
  • Triggering traffic lights

Making turns

  • Right turns
  • Left turns
  • Changing lanes: moving from ‘C’ position
  • Changing lanes: with traffic around you
  • Changing lanes: signaling
  • Changing lanes: with no traffic around you
  • Using the gaps
  • Preparing for the turn
  • Lane position for the turn
  • Waiting position
  • Making the turn

Traffic circles & roundabouts

Other riding situations

Other riding situations

Passing on the right

  • Good reasons not to
  • When and how we can do it
  • Lane-splitting

Sidewalk riding

  • Why do people ride on sidewalks?
  • Potential risks
  • Making the decision

Other situations

  • Riding near buses
  • Riding in parking spaces
  • Riding side-by-side
  • Riding on paths & trails

Equipment

Equipment

Required & optional equipment

  • Brakes
  • Lighting: what’s needed, and when
  • Helmets

ABC Quick Check (bike)

A more detailed check

Sizing, configuring, & adjusting your bike

Parking your bike

  • Deterring bike theft
  • Where to park your bike
  • How to lock it up
  • What kind of locks?

Summary & feedback

Summary & feedback

  • Includes an option for a brief survey so you can let us know what you think of the course.

The course significantly exceeds the traffic skills training requirements for the national programs in United States and Canada:

  • League of American Bicyclists’ ‘Smart Cycling’ program
  • Cycling Canada’s ‘CAN-BIKE’ program

More than 1500 people have taken the classroom or online course to dismiss a traffic ticket. Many others have taken our Traffic Smarts course out of general interest, to gain a pedicab license, or to meet training requirements for their employers.

The Center for Cycling Education developed all applicable training materials and administers the course training.

With more than 18 years’ experience as an instructor, the primary course developer has been both a Master Instructor with the League of American Bicyclists and a National Examiner with the Canadian Cycling Association (now Cycling Canada). Others with these credentials, and numerous instructors with each program, helped develop and review the content and delivery.

* Unless dismissed via a Defensive Driving or Defensive Cycling course, all traffic citations received by many jurisdictions (including those received while riding a bike) are sent through to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) or equivalent state agency. Only citations received while driving a motor vehicle (moving violations) are supposed to be applied to one’s driving record. However, there are recorded instances where, through human error, a cycling ticket does end up on the record:

  • Lack of notation on the ticket that the vehicle involved was a bicycle.
  • Motor vehicle offense code entered on ticket instead of bicycle offense code.
  • Improper processing of a bicycle-related citation at DPS as being a motor vehicle violation.


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The Center for Cycling Education

5 months ago

The Center for Cycling Education

Framing things in the right way. This is fun to watch.

(Thanks to Christopher Stanton for making me aware of this.)
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How I Deal With Kids Playing in My Driveway | The Saga of My Driveway Racetrack

www.youtube.com

Every night I would get an alert from my driveway security camera, and at first I was a bit annoyed, but then I found myself looking forward to the evening a...
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The Center for Cycling Education

1 years ago

The Center for Cycling Education

Superb individual, master designer and builder of bikes and trailers, philanthropist, activist, and professional cyclist. Above all, a truly decent and caring person.

Tomorrow it will be two weeks since I and many others lost our good friend, Tony Hoar. It has taken me some time to come to grips with this loss, and to write this post.

I had the distinct fortune of knowing Tony as a good friend for nearly twenty years. We spoke several times a week, about life, the world, and our respective vocations.

This man was singularly farsighted, caring, and influential. He gave so much of himself on a regular basis, and devoted his life to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. His bike trailers transformed the way that I view transportation, and helped me live my life and do my work by bike instead of by car.

Tony my friend, you will be deeply missed, and always remembered. I promise you this, and to continue working on the things we both know to be so important. Thank you for everything you are, and always will be.

www.timescolonist.com/news/local/tour-de-france-cult-figure-inventor-tony-hoar-dies-at-87-1.23971311
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The Center for Cycling Education updated their cover photo.

1 years ago

The Center for Cycling Education

Southbound on 5th Avenue, Manhattan, NYC, just north of 59th Street--Central Park is to the right.

The initial signal was straight out with the left arm. The lowered left arm is to let those following know that I'm changing lanes, but only moving into the right part of the adjacent lane.

Important points:
1) There's no room for the driver at left to move into my lane, which is why I moved far left in my lane to prepare to move over--ya gotta be quick here.
2) I looked far down the road, and know that the cabbie in front of me has plenty of space ahead and no possible fares on the sidewalk to the right; there will be no braking.

Subtleties matter.
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The Center for Cycling Education

1 years ago

The Center for Cycling Education

Let's be honest. When you ride in traffic:
1) How comfortable are you, and
2) How often do you have negative interactions with drivers?

Many riders have become accustomed to daily frustrations and near-misses. That doesn't equate to comfort.

There are ways to address these.

What do you put up with on a regular basis?
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The Center for Cycling Education

1 years ago

The Center for Cycling Education

Now available on our website--detailed traffic laws for cyclists in the following states:
- California (including Santa Monica)
- Texas (including Austin and Houston)
- Virginia

Next up: Canada, including British Columbia and Ontario, and selected cities in each.

These are currently being added to our 'Traffic Smarts for Cyclists' online courses.

thecce.org/usa/
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USA | The Center for Cycling Education

thecce.org

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