Friday, December 30, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

½ Thousand and Counting!

Another year has come and gone and has gone by so fast, I am truly amazed! I am going to attempt to write an exciting article about what Penn’s Cycling School did this past year.  Oh, did I mention that I don’t know where this year went! Keep in mind that I am not really a writer so bare with me, I will do my best! Before I go and take all the credit. I would not be able to do what I do without the help of key people and organizations. 
Being safe on your bike starts with the individual making a conscious effort each time they roll out of the driveway.  For all of you who love riding your bike, you know how easy to get “lost” and daydream the miles away!  Did I mention how much I love to ride my bike?  
Bringing the message of HOW to be safe to others also starts with individuals. They know how important it is to bring awareness of the risks and problems of riding on our busy roads, distracted drivers, and mistakes people make when they ride.  They teach, preach, and form organizations to spread the message further!    
So without delay the great people and organizations that I have worked with are: Tina Russo. Coach for League Cycling Instructors (LCI), Bevin Maynard of Saint Joes Children’s Advocacy Center – Safe Kids,  Julie Bond University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation (CUTR) Bike Smart Program, and last but not least, Cris Vidal of the Ride to Defeat ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  I also need to give Credit to the Florida Department of Transportation for Transportation Enhancement funds that make many of these programs possible.
With all these people and organizations, I have had the opportunity to do some awesome things this year! Anyone that has followed me for the past 2 years knows that this all started with my desire to get back to teaching bicycle safety with one little workshop.  Little did I know how perfect the timing was as the death rate for bicycle crashes began to rise in the area!  I ended up implementing 22 workshops reaching 214 people. 
This year was another amazing experience with 23 workshops reaching 520 people!  The highlight of the year and the toughest week of my life (Bevin, Christy, Collette and Jason) was implementing a week long bicycle safety education course (PRE – Drivers Education) at Martinez Middle School to 326 6th graders!  A HUGE Thank You to Bevin and Safe Kids for allowing me to be a part of this! I hope we can start changing driving behavior at an early age!
The other highlight of Penn’s Cycling School was facilitating the 3 day LCI seminar in April.  Tina Russo, with the help of League Education Director Preston Tyree (now former) trained and certified 14 new LCI’s.  There were so many people that helped us out through the weekend (Thanks You, Publix, Tim, Bevin, Guy and Crystal) we could not have done it without you!
Well that’s ½ of a thousand.  I didn’t include the children’s safety workshops that I was able to participate in there were 2-3 hundred more.  That means I am almost at 1000… maybe I can double or triple the numbers next year?   I hope so!  I want everyone to be safe,  and I hope I am helping save at least one life out there!   Be super safe in 2012!  Use your lights, follow the rules of the road, and pedal freely!  
Sharon Monahan
Penn’s Cycling School

You can contact me through:





Friday, September 9, 2011

Junior Cycling Program

Information about Penn's Cycling School Junior Program will be coming soon!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

League Names 14 New League Cycling Instructors


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


League Names 14 League Cycling Instructors

April 5th, 2011 Tampa, Florida:  14 individuals have earned the prestigious certification of League Cycling Instructor from the League of American Bicyclists, a 125-year-old national bicycling organization.

These individuals have completed in-depth training on teaching skills for cycling in traffic, on trails and with groups of riders,” said Preston Tyree, Education Director for the League of American Bicyclists. These individuals will now be able to train all levels of riders how to confidently and effectively cycle for fun, fitness and transportation.”

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 designation is only given after a person qualifies for, and excels in, an intense three-day education seminar. 

“League Cycling Instructors are the backbone of the League’s education program,” said Andy Clarke, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. These Individuals have demonstrated a proficiency in teaching, a love of cycling, and a willingness to share these skills with other riders.” Experienced cyclists interested in teaching others how to ride safely are eligible to apply for the seminar. A prerequisite is completing the League’s Traffic Skills 101 course.

The Tampa seminar was conducted on April 1-3 by League Coach: Tina Russo LCI #395.  Tina is an avid cyclist and has been a League Coach since 1996.  With Tina’s guidance she was able to certify the following new candidates:

1. Rebecca Alfonso:  Oldsmar, FL - Florida Bicycle Association
2. Julie Bond: Tampa, FL – Tampa Baycycle:
3. Tim Bowen: Panama City, FL – SafeKids Emerald Coast:
4. Jeffery Cook: Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Police Department:
5. Shaun Drinkard: Tampa, FL – Tampa Downtown Partnership:
6. Bud Gaunce: Sarasota, FL – Sarasota-Manatee Bicycle Club:
7. Drew Hunter: Tampa, FL:
 8. Jason Jackman: Tampa, FL - Tampa Baycycle:
9. Karen Kress: Tampa, FL - Tampa Downtown Partnership:
10. Randy Myhre: Tampa, FL - Olivers Cycle Sport:
11. Terry Parris: Lynn Haven, FL - SafeKids Emerald Coast:
12. Gene Peters: Ocean Springs, MS:
13. Ellen Pierson: Tampa, FL - Police Unity Tour:
14. Jim Shirk: Tampa, FL – Tampa BayCycle:

For more information on Traffic Skills 101 and other Smart Cycling  courses www.bikeleague.org or Sharon Monahan of Penn’s Cycling School http://pennscyclingschool.blogspot.com 813-482-4364.

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.