Learn-to-Bike for Adults
Whether you never learned to ride or you’re looking to pick up some new bike skills, we’re here for you!
Our free learn-to-bike workshops help adults build confidence and experience the joy in riding a bike. Some workshops are offered for women and gender-diverse people, and others are open to all genders. Our experienced staff and volunteers will help each participant gain the skills and confidence to get on a bike and keep on rolling! Bikes and helmets are provided. Registration is required.
Workshop Types
We offer classes from April through September. Download our two-sided flyer to see 2024 schedule of upcoming events and check out our workshop types below.
Basic Skills - Level 1 and Level 2
Taught in a parking lot, this two-hour class is for those who have never learned to ride or who want to work on basic skills. This class is perfect for people who:
- have never ridden a bike before
- haven't been on a bike for years, OR
- can ride a little, but need to practice starting, stopping, turning, and hand signaling.
Some Basic Skills classes are reserved for women and gender diverse adults. Others are offered for all adults. See the 2024 Season's flyer for more details.
Road Readiness - LEVEL 3
Taught in a parking lot, this 90-minute class will help you with street-readiness skills. We will learn and practice hand signals, advanced bike handling, changing gears, and defensive riding. Road Readiness classes are offered to all adults. This class is perfect for people who:
- have been through our Basic Skills class
- are new to riding bikes on City streets, OR
- want more support before exploring biking on-street.
On-street SKILLS - Level 4
We will lead you on a 90-minute group ride to practice your street skills. The route will include off-street paths, separated bike lanes, and low-stress shared streets. On-Street Skills Classes are offered to all adults. This class is perfect for people who:
- have completed our Street Skills: Road readiness course
- are comfortable biking on paths but not sure about riding in the street, OR
- want to build confidence riding on street.
Upcoming workshops
Workshop Locations
LocationsOur classes at Boston Water and Sewer Commission are in one of the Commission's parking lots.
Four bus routes serve this location:
- Route 1 (Harvard / Nubian): The closest stops are at Melnea Cass Boulevard at Harrison Avenue.
- Route 47 (Broadway / Central Sq): The closest stops are at Harrison Avenue at Melnea Cass Boulevard.
- Route 8 (Harbor Point / Kenmore Sq): If on the bus heading toward Harbor Point, use the Washington Street @ Lenox Street bus stop. If on the bus heading toward Kenmore Square, use the stop at Harrison Avenue @ E. Lenox Street.
- Silver Line 4 (Nubian Sq / South Station) or Silver Line 5 (Nubian Sq / Downtown): The closest stops are at Washington Street at Lenox Street.
On-street parking in this area is mostly limited to those with residential permit parking stickers. Parking will not be allowed in any of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission parking lots.
Our classes at Herter's Park parking lot near Artesani playground
Herter Park is located in Boston’s Lower Allston neighborhood, by the Charles River. Take the Red Line to Central stop or the Orange Line to Sullivan Square. You can get to Herter Park by taking the 70 and 86 Bus Routes to the Western Ave @ Everett St stop. Then it's a 10 min walk to the park: please use Telford St to cross Soldiers Field Rd using a pedestrian overpass bridge.
In Season 2024, our classes are near Shattuck Picnic Grove at Franklin Park
Nearby bus stops are a 5- to 20-minute walk from the location. The closest bus lines to Franklin Park Shattuck Picnic Grove are:
- Route 21 (Ashmont / Forest Hills): The closest bus stops are Morton Street opp / @ Shattuck
- Route 31 (Mattapan Square / Forest Hills): The closest bus stops are Morton Street opp / @ Shattuck
- Route 16 (Forest Hills /McCormack, Andrew, or Harbor Point via South Bay Center): The closest bus stops are Circuit Drive opp /@ Shattuck
- Route 14 (Roslindale Square / Heath Street): The closest bus stops are American Legion Hwy opp/@ Franklin Hill Ave
- Route 22 (Ruggles/ Ashmont): The closest bus stops are Blue Hill Ave @ American Legion Hwy and Blue Hill Ave @Wales St
- Route 28 (Ruggles/ Mattapan Square): The closest bus stops are Blue Hill Ave @ American Legion Hwy and Blue Hill Ave @Wales St
- Route 29 (Jackson Square/ Mattapan Square): The closest bus stops are Blue Hill Ave @ American Legion Hwy and Blue Hill Ave @Wales St
There are multiple parking lots in Franklin Park. The nearest parking lot is near Shattuck Picnic Grove.
Our classes are held in the parking lot, at the very end of Hebron Street.
The only bus that serves this site is the Route 30. The nearest stops are an 8- to 10-minute walk from the Mattahunt School.
- Route 30 (Forest Hills / Mattapan Station): If on the bus heading toward Forest Hills, the closest stop is Cummins Highway at Livermore Street. If on the bus toward Mattapan Station, the closest stop is Cummins Highway at Wood Avenue.
Limited on-street parking is available on nearby streets. Because we use the parking lot for classes, do not plan to park at the Mattahunt School.
Our classes take place in the parking lot and play area at the McKay School.
The McKay K-8 Schools is served by the Blue Line and the Route 120 bus.
- The Maverick T station is a 7- to 8- minute walk from the McKay K-8 School.
- Route 120 (Maverick / Via Jeffries Point): The closest bus stop is Maverick Street at Cottage Street. It is a 1- to 2-minute walk to the school.
On-street parking in this area is mostly limited to those with residential permit parking stickers. Because we hold our classes in the parking lot, do not plan to park at the McKay K-8 School.
Our classes are on the newly reopened City Hall Plaza, along Cambridge Street.
Boston City Hall is well-served by many train and bus routes.
- Blue Line: The nearest station is Government Center. When you leave the station house, you will be on City Hall Plaza.
- Green Line: The nearest station is Government Center, which is served by all branches of the Green Line. When you leave the station house, you will be on City Hall Plaza.
- Orange Line: The nearest stations are State Street and Haymarket. Either station is a three-minute walk to City Hall Plaza.
- Red Line: The nearest stations are at Park Street and Downtown Crossing. Either station is a 10- to 12-minute walk to City Hall.
The limited on-street parking in the area is metered, with a limit of 2 hours. Off-street parking garages open to the public can be found on Cambridge Street (Centre Plaza Garage) or on Congress Street (Haymarket Garage).
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