CAT’s bicycling programs offer adults and children specific skills needed to use bicycling for transportation and enjoyment.
EDUCATION
Bicycling Education for Children – CAT’s most recent educational work is Bike Smart Lehigh Valley, (2018-), formerly, Bike Smart Easton (2015-2017) which organizes 20-25 events per year, reaching over 5,000 Lehigh Valley youth, ages 5-14. CAT connects with schools, youth organizations, police, health and fire departments, and community groups. This program is funded through PennDOT and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. This support enables CAT to coordinate high quality instructors and staff to offer (a) bicycling helmet fittings, (b) bike mechanical checks, (c) on-bike skills instruction, and (d) other group rides and small group instruction. Contact CAT to attend an upcoming event or discuss organizing an event for your group.
CAT Bicycle Cooperative for All Ages – A space where anyone can learn how to take care of his/her bike, with guidance on simple to advanced mechanical repairs. Providing adult Bike2Work commuter support, route planning and mentorship. CAT Bicycle Cooperative can be a hive of activity on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Through the CAT Bicycle Cooperative, refurbished bikes are made available to youth and adults for suggested donation or by volunteer credit hours at the rate of 10 CAT Bucks per hour. Opportunities for youth to volunteer for high school community service hours.
Bicycling Education for Adults – Helping adults learn to bike on any street or multi-use trail with ease, comfort and understanding of safe and effective techniques. This includes: multi-use trails, rural roads, quiet neighborhood streets, downtown busyness, and suburban shopping mazes. We host CyclingSavvy classes at CAT or your location for groups of 3-15 participants. CyclingSavvy classes offer something that both newbie and experienced bicyclists can use everyday: understanding and unique strategies to cooperate in traffic situations. Empower yourself and enjoy every ride! (Ages 18+ or 12+ taking class with an adult)
Bicycle Mechanics at CAT – CAT is a provider of the Park Tool School bicycle mechanics program. We offer 4-hour Basic Maintenance and 16-hour Advanced Mechanics classes. Classes are held at the CAT Bicycle Cooperative in Bethlehem in small groups of 2-5 students for a hands-on experience with individual attention.
ENCOURAGEMENT
CAT is proud organizer of Lehigh Valley Bike to Work Week, a.k.a. LVBike2Work, held annually in May. This includes an online ride logging competition and a number of group rides promoting the bikeability of our communities.
ENFORCEMENT
CAT works with police departments across the Lehigh Valley to advocate for legal and effective bicyclist/motorist behavior to minimize conflicts and crashes. We encourage police officers to engage with our communities in positive ways that reinforce positive actions, and offer verbal/written warnings in lieu of tickets and fines. CAT supports police departments with IPMBA bicycle officers who as role models for the community, should ride legally and avoid sidewalk riding except when on an emergency call.
ENGINEERING
Links to CAT’s Advocacy Reports & StudieS for the Lehigh Valley
CAT’s Maps of Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking in Bethlehem
Bike Racks of Easton, PA
Trails and Traffic Calming
CAT promotes trails for recreation and transportation in fair weather, and streets for transportation in all weather. Streets become highways as traffic speeds increase and can be a deterrent to many cyclists.
Local Bike Share Programs
Lehigh University Bike Share (for staff & students only)
Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS) hosted by Lehigh Valley Planning Commission coordinates current and upcoming local transportation projects. design and maintenance of streets friendly to bicyclists.
Environment
Bicycling is a virtually emission-free transportation opportunity. A bike uses only 1% of the natural resources used to produce an automobile and can last for 10-20 years with care and periodic replacement of components. Think about that!
Equity
Bicycling should be accessible to families through all economic strata. All of CAT’s services: membership, refurbished bicycles/parts, and educational programs are open to people irregardless of income. Most of the year, these services and bikes are available by suggested donation or in exchange for volunteer time. In December, CAT offers refurbished holiday bikes for kids to enjoy who might not otherwise be able to afford a bicycle.
With regard to development of bike trails, and bike-friendly streets, all neighborhoods should be connected to these.
