Sign ups for 'Learn How to Ride a Bike' 2025 Spring sessions open

Do you want to learn how to ride a bike? Now is your chance to learn a new skill.

The Green Commuter Program is offering free Adult Bike Riding classes to employees and students at UC Davis Health.

“We have found that many of our employees and students are among the 6% of the adult population who do not know how to ride a bike,” said Sarah Janus, UC Davis Health sustainability officer. “By offering classes to teach adults how to ride a bike, our goal is to break down barriers that may prevent someone from choosing a more sustainable transportation option.”

Join one of the Spring 2025 Sessions

The Green Commuter Program is excited to offer two sessions this spring, in March and April 2025. Each session will consist of three classes, one preliminary virtual class on Zoom, and a two-day in-person riding course. Participants must be able to attend all three classes in the session.

March Session

1. Thursday, March 20, 2025, 6 – 7 p.m.: Preliminary Virtual Class on Zoom
2. Saturday, March 22, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Day 1 Riding Instruction (in-person)
3. Sunday, March 23, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Day 2 Riding Instruction (in-person)

April Session

1. Thursday, April 10, 2025, 6 – 7 p.m.: Preliminary Virtual Class on Zoom
2. Saturday, April 12, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Day 1 Riding Instruction (in-person)
3. Sunday, April 13, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Day 2 Riding Instruction (in-person)

All in-person classes will be held at the UC Davis Medical Center campus in Sacramento. Parking and Transportation Services will block off the top two levels of Parking Structure 4 for the class (a space that is already empty on weekends), to offer a private space for participants to learn.

How to Participate

Classes are available to all active UC Davis Health employees and students. No experience is necessary, and bicycles and helmets will be provided for participants to use during the class.

Interested? You must complete a brief application to be considered. The application process is meant to gauge participants’ experience level and goals to best structure the curriculum.

Applications close on Friday, February 28, at 11:59 p.m.

For more information, please visit https://health.ucdavis.edu/parking/green/bikeclass

Learning a new skill is life-changing

The Green Commuter Program held their first round of classes in October 2023, where a group of six employees and students got the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike. Participants said they enjoyed the class and felt empowered with the new skill they learned.

When asked what she would say to future participants, Chong Porter, a participant in the bike class, said, “Take the class, it's fun, and it will enhance your life.”

“The instructors do a great job at creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all the participants,” said Marissa Barber, administrative assistant for the Green Commuter Program. “This is a judgement-free zone where everyone is encouraged to learn.”

Promoting a Healthy Campus

The classes are made possible by a grant awarded by Healthy UC Davis. The grant covers the costs of instruction and materials necessary for the class, including the bicycles that participants will use to learn how to ride, so that it is completely free to employees and students.

Not only will learning to ride a bike offer participants a life-changing new skill, but it will also provide participants with a new way to engage in healthy behaviors and reduce impact on the environment.