With an average of 200 cyclists injured or killed in collisions annually over the past five years, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is expanding the reach of its no-cost cycling workshops and programs to educate more Manitobans on how to bike safely.
“MPI is committed to ensuring every road user arrives at their destination safely – and that includes cyclists. Our cycling education programs are designed for all ages and skill levels, and we’re proud to be reaching more Manitobans than ever before in 2023,” said Satvir Jatana, MPI’s Chief Customer Officer. “MPI’s Community Relations team can help riders learn the rules of the road and gain confidence navigating real-world situations on two wheels.”
MPI’s cycling programs contribute to safer roads throughout the province by sharing age-appropriate best practices and knowledge for how to ride safely, communicate with other road users and use bike lanes as well as other cycling infrastructure.
“It’s important to remember that everyone plays a role in keeping our streets safe – motor vehicles and cyclists share the same roads, the same rights and the same rules,” said Mark Cohoe, Bike Winnipeg’s Executive Director. “One important way drivers can do their part is to provide a safe buffer between their vehicle and people on bikes as they pass. That buffer should be at least 1 metre and grow as speeds increase. This buffer gives cyclists a safe, comfortable space to operate, while leaving room to avoid hazards.”
And the Corporation’s courses have never been more popular. MPI is on track to deliver the among the most Cycle Safely Bike Rodeos in its over 50-year history in communities across the province this summer, reaching an estimated 13,000 children.
Designed for ages 6-10, this interactive presentation teaches children about bike safety, hand signals, helmet fitting and is great for schools, daycares, camps and more. The rodeo consists of two parts – a theory presentation and a practical component riding on a course to practice what was learned. Summer 2023 slots are still available throughout the province for this impactful program.
Adult cycling education programs
MPI also offers a range of adult programming that not only shares the basics of bike safety but empowers aspiring community cycling leaders to deliver their own presentations.
For cyclists aged 16 and older, MPI’s Bike It! safety course includes both theory and on-road lessons to give participants a clear overview of cycling safety. It’s perfect for those who want to build on their knowledge and practice their skills on the road in a safe environment. The next session will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 11.a.m. to 3 p.m. at MPI’s Main Street Service Centre in Winnipeg. The course is free but advance registration is required by emailing [email protected].
Cycling Champions is another adult workshop that prepares attendees to deliver cycling-safety presentations to peers at school, work or neighbourhood groups. The full-day session offers both classroom and on-the-road training and includes a ready-made presentation kit that contains a facilitator’s guide with speaking notes and PowerPoint presentations geared towards both children and adults. Custom dates and times can be scheduled for groups of six or more potential champions.
Bicycle Education & Skills Training in Schools (BEST)
The BEST Program is a partnership between MPI, Green Action Centre, Bike Winnipeg, the WRENCH, and Seven Oaks School Division providing multi-grade, multi-year bike education through lesson plans and on road instructions for the physical education curriculum in grades six through eight.
Students are taught how to ride on-road, learning valuable skills such as hand signals, shoulder checking, lane positioning, and more. The program also includes bike maintenance, teaching students to assess whether their bike is road worthy, what the parts of a bike are and how those parts operate.
Since its inception in 2015, more than 7,000 students in 20 middle schools in Winnipeg have participated in the BEST Program.
To learn more about the free cycling programming that MPI offers and book a session, visit mpi.mb.ca or email [email protected].