Become a WABA Education Instructor

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Be a superhero! Become an education instructor, no costume required

We are proud to announce the 2013 WABA Education Instructor training program. This is a unique opportunity to join one of the country’s most prominent and successful bike education programs (featured in the Washington Post and on NPR last spring)! Additionally, through the program, you will become certified as a League Cycling Instructor (LCI), enabling you to teach bike education anywhere in the country and/or to host your own classes as an independent instructor. You’re invited to apply for one of fifteen Instructor trainee positions this fall. The application is a simple 3-question form, but please take the time to think about your answers and use them as your opportunity to make the case for yourself. Click here to fill out your 2013 WABA Education Instructor application!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a WABA Education Instructor?

WABA Education Instructors are enthusiastic local individuals who combine their love of bicycling and aptitude for teaching to help run one of the best Adult Bike Education programs in the country. Anyone can apply using this form, and from those applications, we will select fifteen people to be our Instructor class for 2013.

Do WABA Education Instructors get paid?

Yes! Once they have completed their Trainee period (7 hours of teaching), they are paid a rate of $50/hour for any WABA classes they teach.

What is the time commitment for WABA Education Instructors?

The training program involves 3-4 mandatory events, including a weekend-long seminar (tentatively scheduled for November). We estimate that the total required time is somewhere around 40-45 hours (including time spent on homework) between August-November. Once you complete the Seminar, you will have to attend two WABA adult classes (totaling 7 hours) as a Trainee. After that, however, your commitment level is up to you. Over 90% of our classes are held on weekend mornings, from 10am-1pm. Instructors are required to arrive 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes late for each class, for a total time commitment of 3.5 hours per class.

What happens if I am chosen as one of the fifteen WABA Education Instructor candidates?

You get the following:
  • A guaranteed spot in an Instructors-only Traffic Skills 101 class, tentatively scheduled for October 5th. ($75 value)
  • Food & drinks at an Instructors Meet & Greet, tentatively scheduled for October 18th. ($15 value)
  • A guaranteed spot in WABA’s League Cycling Instructor (LCI) Seminar, tentatively scheduled for November 8-10. NOTE: This application is the ONLY way to attend this Seminar. ($300 value)
  • A WABA Instructor polo shirt. ($20 value)
  • A 1-year WABA membership OR renewal. ($35 value)
  • Payment at the $50/hour Instructor rate for any classes taught with us after your Trainee period has been successfully completed.
And in exchange:
  • You must commit to the dates for ALL classes in the Instructor training program.
  • You must commit to completing your Trainee requirements (7 hours of instruction) in your first year as an LCI.
  • You must join the League of American Bicyclists, if you are not already a member.
  • You must complete the Traffic Skills 101 course with a score of 85% or better.
  • You must agree to wear a helmet at all classes and while teaching.
We think that seems like a pretty fair trade.

What are the dates and times that I should know about?

July 8 – Applications begin August 9 – Applications end September 4 (Tentative) – Instructor Candidates notified October 5 – Traffic Skills 101 October 18 (Tentative) – Instructors Meet & Greet November 8-10 – League Cycling Instructor (LCI) Seminar

What does it cost to become a WABA Education Instructor?

Completing the application form is free, of course. If you are selected as one of our fifteen candidates, you will be asked to pay for membership in the League of American Bicyclists in order to obtain your League Cycling Instructor certification. Additionally, you are responsible for all transportation, food/beverage, and bike upkeep costs incurred while in the training program, and as a WABA Education Instructor thereafter (except where otherwise noted). WABA will cover the rest of the costs (see above list).

I completed WABA’s Confident City Cycling course. Can I waive out of the Traffic Skills 101 requirement?

Sorry, but no. Traffic Skills 101 includes both a written evaluation and an on-bike evaluation that you must pass with a score of 85% or higher in order to be allowed into the LCI Seminar. While WABA’s classes cover some of the same material, the only way to take these evaluations with us is through this WABA Education Instructor training program.
Click here to fill out your 2013 WABA Education Instructor application! Thanks for applying, and good luck! Photo by Joe in DC. Join our Flickr pool!

Page last updated by Alex Baca on July 10, 2013.