PRESS RELEASE
2 Newly Designated LCIs in the Shenandoah Valley
Harrisonburg, VA – March 12, 2014 – Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) announces two (2) of its members earned the prestigious certification of League Cycling Instructor (LCI) from the League of American Bicyclists, a 131-year-old national bicycling and advocacy organization. The new LCIs are Becky Johnston and Nathan Barge of Harrisonburg, VA.
Nathan Barge and Becky Johnston with fellow LCI Seminar participants
The LCI Seminar was taught in Washington, DC preceding the National Bike Summit, which was also attended by Becky and Nathan with assistance from SVBC. LCI seminars educate participants on how to teach bicycle safety and skills to all levels of riders rather than focusing on technical bicycling knowledge. The League Cycling Instructor (LCI) designation is only given after a person qualifies for, and excels in, an intense three-day education seminar. The SVBC has previously provided the same scholarship to 5 other LCIs in the community.
Becky Johnston is also a Health Promotions Specialist with Sentara RMH Community Health and Nathan Barge the Safe Routes to School Coordinator for Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Both work with schools in Harrisonburg to encourage walking and bicycling to and from school. “I am excited to use this certification to increase the number of people who feel comfortable riding bikes as well as riding on the road,” says Becky. “Riding for fun, transportation and sport can give people, young and old, a sense of freedom and independence they may not have in a car.”
Becky and Nathan plan to continue working together to increase the number of families in Harrisonburg who can confidently ride bikes to school. “Children love riding bikes and need at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity,” says Nathan, “What a better way than to get that exercise on the way to school?” They are working with Waterman Elementary School on plans to host a bike rodeo on April 8, 2014, 3:30pm-5pm that will teach kids grades K through 4 bike skills.
Nathan demonstrating his bike skills to fellow LCI Seminar participants.
Local LCIs will also host Confident City Cycling Classes in Harrisonburg on April 25 & 26, 2014 and in Staunton May 9 & 10, 2014. Anyone interested in taking one of the classes can sign up through Harrisonburg Parks & Recreation for the Harrisonburg class, and through Staunton Parks & Recreation for the Staunton class. Information about the classes also at: https://svbcoalition.org/our-riding/bike-education/confident-city-cycling/
For more information about the League’s Smart Cycling courses and LCI certification classes visit www.bikeleague.org.
The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including but not limited to building and maintaining trails and related public works suitable for mountain biking, promoting and encouraging recreational road bicycling and safety, cooperating with public authorities in the observance of all traffic regulations, and educating members of the bicycling community and the public generally about effective trail construction and maintenance techniques, and the need for safer bicycling conditions. For more information on the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, visit www.svbcoalition.org.
