Programs

Community Bicycle Center Programs

In addition to the programs listed below, we have a variety of activities and opportunities at our community bicycle center.

The Smart Cycling Program®

Smart Cycling Program Schedule:

This bicycle education program, as offered by the League of American Bicyclists, provides every rider the tools necessary to ride skillfully, carefully, safely, and with confidence on our streets and roads in Washington County. Kids and Parents, youth and adults of every age can and will benefit from the instruction available. The WashCo BTC is privileged to have 4 active League Cycling Instructors among its members to guide you safely through the exercises and help you develop the mastery of the skills that may just save your life.

Courses available include:

Cycling Skills for Parents
Cycling Skills for Kids
Safe Routes to Schools
Commuting and Group Riding Clinics
Traffic Skills 101 and 201
Share the Road (for Motorists)

For more information:

You can download a brochure (PDF) with class descriptions and information
For details and registration, please email us.
Dates and times will also be published on our Calendar.

Bicycle Safety Inspections and Helmet fittings

WashCo BTC has been providing free of charge bicycle safety inspections at various events as well as at our Frans Pauwels Memorial Bicycle Center. Using a checklist and diagram of a bicycle, the ‘inspector’ puts the customer’s bike on the work stand and proceeds to check the operation of various parts of the bike. In addition, things like wheel hubs, bottom brackets, head sets, etc. are checked. Brake pads, cables, tire pressure, etc, are also checked for wear. During seasonal times of the year, we also feature inspections, booths, and helmet fittings at additional events and locations, including local Farmer's Markets.

For more information:

Dates and times will be published on our Calendar.
Check out Photos.

Adopt-a-park

The WashCo BTC recently adopted the northern portion of the Rock Creek Powerline Park and Trail between NW Rock Creek Blvd and Evergreen Parkway. This section has a bicycle memorial station and we felt it appropriate that we adopt this particular section.

Periodic activities will include landscaping, tree planting, litter and vandalism clean up and other events that may be appropriate. Each activity will end at the center where we will provide warm beverages and treats as a thank you for the help.

For more information:

The next clean-up event will be published on our Calendar.

Adopt-A Road litter clean up

WashCo BTC is proud to be part of the Adopt-a-Road program, a semi-annual event where members clean up road sides, helping to raise visibility and show ownership and respect for the roads we use. Currently, the WashCo BTC is responsible for NW West Union between Bethany Blvd and 185th. We also clean up NW 143rd between Cornell and West Union, about 1 mile away.

6 – 8 volunteers are needed to make this semi-annual event a success. Adopting the roads lends the WashCo BTC credibility with the motoring public and the site of several Lycra clad bicyclists cleaning up one of the more traveled rods by bicyclists and motorists brings much positive visibility to our organization.

For more information:

The next clean-up event will be published on our Calendar.

And We Bike campaign

In June 2007, Tim O'Donnell, 66, was struck and killed while riding his bicycle with a group of friends. This tragedy brought increased attention to the safety of cyclists using Washington County roads. Tim's wife, Mary, established a memorial fund to address this problem. WashCo BTC, working with The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), is spearheading an effort to increase awareness of these serious safety issues.

The campaign includes life-sized cutouts of people with their bikes that will remind motorists that bicyclists are their relatives, friends, coworkers and neighbors, "and we bike". The cutouts will be placed around in front of businesses and community gathering spots around the county. The message is, "Be careful; the cyclist could be someone you know." Printed material will include a list of ways motorists can more safely interact with bicyclists. Presentations will be made to community groups, and various other activities will also help promote the campaign.

For more information:

Please visit our And We Bike page
Check out Photos of the campaign.

Ride of Silence

WashCo BTC is an important organizer of the local Ride of Silence each May. Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.