Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico

LCI Teaching Team Application form can be found here.

The Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico (BCNM) launched its Bicycle Education Program, “Train the Trainer” program in Sept. 2009. Originally the brainchild of BCNM Founder and first President, Gail Ryba, the Program was redefined, by current BCNM President Diane Albert and Bicycle Education Coordinator Tammy Schurr, in scope and emphasis however it remains true to Gail’s vision for Bicycle Education in New Mexico.

“Train the Trainer” Program

The Program utilizes the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Smart Cycling Curriculum to further Bike Education in New Mexico. It supports League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) in teaching Smart Cycling Courses by providing them with teaching aids/Kits, participant incentives (reflective triangles, patch kits, t-shirts etc), and establishing LCI Teaching Teams. It supports LCI Teaching Teams in recruiting potential instructors and volunteers within their community to further promote Bicycle Education. It recognizes that LCIs know their communities best, what the bicycling education needs are in their communities, what local resources are available, and what other organizations there are to partner with to offer sustainable Bicycle Education.

BCNM Bicycle Education Coordinator’s Implements the “Train the Trainer” Program

The Bicycle Education Coordinator (BEC) is responsible for implementing the Program according to the Scope and Timeline in the grant proposals which includes the following:

• Procure and provide teaching aids/Trainer Kits and participant incentives to NM LCIs Teaching Teams participating in the Program
• Assist with the formation of LCI Teaching Teams in New Mexico communities, towns, and regions.
• Assist LCIs in identifying and recruiting potential LCIs and volunteers for the Program
• Research & Identify resources for the Program
• Communicate LAB Insurance Protocols for LCIs and volunteers
• Document Participation in Bike Education statewide
• Document LCI and Volunteer Hours toward Bike Education statewide
• Evaluate Program on yearly basis

Funding for the “Train the Trainer” Program and the Bicycle Education Coordinator position

• NMDOT Grant for a Bicycle Education Coordinator
• Matching Grants for Bicycle Education include:

                   -McCune Foundation                   

                   -REI

• Funding granted for Bicycle Education outside of the Albuquerque metro area (Albuquerque has a successful Bicycle Education program in place see www.BikeABQ.org )

Three Year “Train the Trainer” Focus

• Year one focus on Las Cruces and southern NM
• Years 2-3 - Statewide excluding Albuquerque metro area
• NM LCI concentration as of spring 2010

                      -19 Albuquerque Metro Area; 9 Las Cruces/Mesilla; 3 Los Alamos; 2 Santa Fe; 2 Belen; 1 Farmington; 1 Socorro; 1 Taos, total 38.

• NM LCI concentration as of summer 2010

                     -20 Albuquerque Metro Area; 13 Las Cruces/Mesilla; 3 Los Alamos; 5 Santa Fe; 2 Belen; 1 Farmington; 1 Socorro; 1 Taos, total 46.

Concentration of LCIs in the Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe requires the cooperation and assistance of LCIs in these communities in teaching Traffic Skills 101 courses, as well as other Smart Cycling curriculum, outside of their metro areas towards the goal of recruiting and training future LCIs throughout New Mexico.

Target Groups for Smart Cycling Courses and Bike Education Events

• Children
• Youth
• Adults
• Families

LAB Smart Cycling & “Train the Trainer” Program: How and Where these Programs Intersect

• The Program utilizes LAB’s Smart Cycling Curriculum
  • Traffic Skills 101 Course, prerequisite for taking the LCI Seminar
  • Bicycling 123 for Youth and Returning Riders
  • Bicycling 123 Instructor Certification for Youth and Skills Instructors
• Recruit & Train More LCIs & Volunteers throughout the state

         -  Identify Potential LCIs - TS 101 / LCI Seminar

         -  Identify Potential Volunteers – TS 101 / Bicycling 123 Youth & Skills Instructor Training

• Form LCI Teaching Teams (2 or more LCIs per team) in a geographic area

                 -  Within a metro areas, towns, regional and/or through networking electronically

       -  Form LCI Teaching Teams, to share teaching techniques, best practices, ideas, and resources; to encourage each other and celebrate our 

          successes at an annual NM LCI Conference.

Goals & Objectives of the Program

• To offer children, youth, adults and families quality Bicycle Education, based on LAB’s Smart Cycling curriculum, throughout the state with a focus outside the Albuquerque metro area
• Utilize the funding according to the Program’s Scope and Timeline
• Recruit and train new LCIs and volunteers throughout the state
• Use the “Trainer” Kits specifically in teaching Smart Cycling curriculum to target groups and potential volunteers/LCIs throughout the state
• Provide Participant incentives for individuals taking Smart Cycling Courses or participating in Bike Events throughout the state

The intent of Program, as required by its grant funding, is to focus Bicycle Education outside the Albuquerque metro area. “Trainer” Kits can be utilized to teach Bicycle Education anywhere in the state as long as the primary use is teaching Smart Cycling Courses and Bike Events outside the Albuquerque metro area.

Current New Mexico LCI Teaching Teams (summer 2010)

• Southern NM Bicycle Educators (Las Cruces/Mesilla) 13 LCIs
• Socorro (includes Socorro, Belen & Los Lunas LCIs) 3 LCIs
• Rio Rancho (team agrees to teach outside the Alb. Metro Area) 6 LCIs
• Santa Fe, 5 LCIs

“Trainer” Kits

• Kits contain supplies and items to support teaching Traffic Skills 101 Courses and Bike Events
• Trainer Kits are provided to and utilized by LCI Teaching Teams who commit to the Program (LCI Teams are made up of 2 or more LCIs in a geographic area that commit to the Program’s objectives and goals.)
• Kits re-supplied by the BEC through the REI and McCune Foundation Grants
• Additional Items for Kits are re-supplied by LCI Teams or by Individual LCIs

Kit Contents Provided by the Program

• Program Kit Notebook: Checklists, LAB & Program documents/forms etc.
• Parking Lot Drills Quick Reference Guide w/ lanyard
• DVD with TS 101 Modules w/ NM specific information & branded with BCNM/LAB Logos (in production due summer 2010)
• 20+ halved tennis balls
• 5’ measuring tape
• Samples: Presta/Schrader Valves, Regular/Thorn Resistant Tubes
• 4 bike tubes for patching
• BCNM Clipboard
• Sharpies & Pens (2)
• LAB Smart Cycling Brochures (12)
• Sidewalk Chalk (2)
• Multi-colored zip ties (100)

If you are an LCI both currently residing in New Mexico, up to date in your LAB membership, and you wish to serve your community (outside the Alb Metro Area) by forming an LCI Teaching Team please see this website for a “New Mexico LCI Teaching Team Application”.  Please fill out the application, print it and return it to the BCNM Bicycle Education Coordinator at BCNM, PO Box 3326, Corrales, NM 87048.

Participant Incentives

• REI – Patch Kits & Tire Levers
• BCNM Reflective Slap Bracelets
• BCNM Reflective Triangles

• BCNM Education T-shirts with the message “Share the Road, Share the Responsibility” in highway “highly visible” green

• BCNM Reflective Bike New Mexico bicycle bumper stickers

• BCNM Vehicle bumper stickers

• BCNM Reflective Zipper Pulls (specifically for kids bike events)

A Challenge for New Mexico LCIs and potential New Mexico LCIs

• To identify, your communities Bike Education needs and try to reach out to those who need, or want your time and expertise, on bicycling education.
• Consider forming and/or joining a LCI Teaching Team in support of your Bike Education program.
• Commit to sharing information and resources with other LCIs and LCI Teaching Teams.
• To team teach with other LCIs, and to identify and recruit other potential LCIs & volunteers in your community.
• To gather with other NM LCIs and celebrate our individual and collective successes at BCNM’s yearly LCI Conference!

A Challenge for all New Mexicans Motorists and Cyclists

• Learn how to Share the Road respectfully and equitably with all road users. Consider taking a Traffic Skills 101 course and/or a Bicycling 123 Course as a cyclist, and/or a Motorists Education course as a motor vehicle driver.
• Become a Bicycle Educator as either an LCI or a Bicycling 123 Instructor.
• Encourage children, youth, and adults to cycle for fun, fitness and transportation.
• Expect and encourage State, County, City, and Town officials to make New Mexico roads safe for all users including cyclists and pedestrians.