Separate versions for the US and for Canada

No matter what type of riding you do, or want to do
commuting • recreational • touring • triathlon / sport / competitive
this course will help increase your comfort and competence out on the street.

What will you take away from this course?

Gain significant skills to help you be more competent & comfortable riding in traffic.
Discover the rights and duties you have while riding your bike.
Explore proven ways to encourage more drivers to respect them.
Understand the impact of your actions in traffic, and how you can bring about positive interactions.
Reduce your likelihood of crashes or collisions, or receiving traffic citations.
Increase your chances of gaining work involving cycling or transportation demand management.

4 hours of interactive content incorporating video, text, photos, graphics, animations, and quizzes.

Learn from any location, at your own pace.

View it all at once or a bit at a time.

Perfect for yourself, or as a gift for a friend or family member.

*** Coming soon: an abbreviated 2-hour version will be available.***

Valuable for experienced riders, as well as beginners.

"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.

Includes separate module for your state or province, and city (as available).

Only $34.95 for 6 months of access.

30-day money-back guarantee. (Does not apply to ticket dismissal course.)

You may return as often as you like to review and improve.

Here’s what we’ll explore:

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

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

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

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:
- Three 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 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 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

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

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

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

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

It only takes a minute to sign up for 6 months of access!

30-day money back guarantee!
I’m certain that you’ll gain valuable insights you can use on your very next ride. If for any reason you’re not fully satisfied, your money will be refunded.
– Allan Dunlop, Director

“Do I have to ride at the edge of the road, or can I control my lane?” • “How can I encourage drivers to give me enough space, and to cooperate with me?” • “What laws apply to me as a cyclist?” • In this course, you’ll find the answers.

Government organizations • Businesses • Advocacy groups • Charity ride organizations • Colleges and universities • Cycling clubs

Bulk purchase discounts and coupon codes are available. Details here.

Sign up now:
6 months of access, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Are you a cyclist who has received a traffic ticket?

Have your fine dismissed by signing up for the Defensive Cycling course.

This online cycling course is accepted in many jurisdictions to dismiss a ticket. If your city isn’t on the list, ask the Court if this option will be accepted. We can help.

Now available for implementation in jurisdictions across the USA and Canada.

Get details on the program here.