Learn-to-Ride Instructor Training in Omaha | Bike Walk Nebraska

Bike Walk Nebraska will hold a Learn-to-Ride Instructor Training session on May 21, 2026, at 345 Riverfront Dr in Omaha, Nebraska. The event is designed to recruit and prepare instructors to lead free adult bicycle classes throughout the year.

The training session is co-hosted with the UNL Outdoor Adventures Center and is supported by partners including The Riverfront and Heartland Bike Share. Participants in the training are asked to make themselves available to lead future Learn-to-Ride classes, with specific dates for those future sessions determined by location and made available after the training is complete.

Training Curriculum and Schedule

The instructor training focuses on the pedagogical methods required to teach adults and older teens how to ride a bicycle. Trainees will learn how to facilitate and lead a Learn-to-Ride class independently, with a specific emphasis on teaching riders how to balance and steer. The curriculum utilizes a progression method where riders start without pedals and gradually progress to using them by the end of the class.

Instructors are trained to teach basic bicycle riding skills, which include starting, stopping, steering and balancing. The training also covers safe cycling practices and the various benefits of cycling regarding transportation, fitness, and general health.

The event on May 21, 2026, follows a specific schedule to ensure trainees receive both theoretical instruction and practical experience:

• 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM: Instructor class
• 4:45 PM to 5:00 PM: Break
• 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Practical application where trainees help lead a Learn-to-Ride class to put their newly acquired skills into practice alongside an instructor

Program Goals and Accessibility

The instructor training supports Bike Walk Nebraska’s broader Adult Learn-to-Ride programming. These classes are free of charge and are specifically designed for adults and older teens aged 15 and older who are eager to learn or re-learn how to ride a bicycle.

To ensure accessibility, the program utilizes step-through bicycles. These bikes are provided by Heartland Bike Share and are intended to make the learning process more accessible for a diverse range of participants. The bikes used in the curriculum are similar to those utilized by ROAM Share.

This initiative is part of the Nebraska Equity in Active Transportation (NEAT) initiative. The program is funded by the Omaha Community Foundation and is designed as an equity initiative to reach older teens and adults within traditionally underserved communities across Nebraska.

Community Expansion Requirements

While Bike Walk Nebraska has established classes in Lincoln and Downtown Omaha, the organization seeks other communities to champion the programming. For a new community to launch Learn-to-Ride classes, specific infrastructure and coordination requirements must be met.

Infrastructure requirements include a parking lot of at least 10,000 square feet to conduct the classes, as well as year-round storage capabilities for up to 10 bicycles.

Regarding coordination, Bike Walk Nebraska provides the curriculum, gear, materials, and a yearly stipend. The organization trains local instructors and co-hosts the first participant class. Once the initial phase is complete, a local coordinator takes over the management of all future courses, though Bike Walk Nebraska can continue to manage registration if requested.