Jani Uusitalo1d ago
Cathy Tuttle

I volunteer with a Utrecht non-profit De Fietsmeesters to help teach adults how to bike. Students are almost always women, and mostly new immigrants. There are 16 new riders in this class, and 4 of us volunteers.

By the end of 10 weeks almost everyone is successfully biking on the road — it's so empowering!

#utrecht #bikeTooter

Apr 3 at 3:09pmWeb
Show threadMegan Lynch (she/her)2d ago
@CathyTuttle Thank you for the work you do. #BikeTooter
Show threadCathy Tuttle2d ago
@meganL It's a really fun & rewarding volunteer job!
Show threadR_Stieltjes2d ago
@CathyTuttle nice. Nog assistentie nodig?
Show threadCykeltutten2d ago
@CathyTuttle We dream of having a 'bike school' too.
Do you have any tips, but practical and organisational?
Show threadCathy Tuttle2d ago
@cykeltutten Check out https://defietsmeesters.nl -- they have an excellent system!
De Fietsmeesters - fietseducatie in en rond Utrecht

De Fietsmeesters bieden uitdagende, educatieve lesprogramma’s voor voorscholen, primair- en voortgezet onderwijs, fietslessen voor volwassenen en maatwerk

Defietsmeesters.nl
Show threadCykeltutten1d ago
@CathyTuttle Thank you. Looks great. Will need to browse it though some translation :)
Thank you!
Show threadOleksii2d ago
@CathyTuttle
Great!
I used tandem bike to teach adult. It was fun and safe
Show threadTwotired2d ago
@CathyTuttle Are you teaching people who don’t know how to ride a bicycle at all, or are you teaching people who already can ride additional skills to make it practical transportation?
Show threadCathy Tuttle2d ago
@Twotired A mix. More than half have never ridden a bike, but everyone needs to learn practical skills for everyday riding on the road.
Show thread14mission2d ago
@CathyTuttle Those look bikes particularly chosen for learners.
Seems like the world has moved on from training wheels, and they won't be missed.
Show threadCathy Tuttle2d ago
@14mission Yes. Easy step-thru bikes with seats that are quick to raise and lower. Plus pedals that can fold up so absolute beginners can start with walk-biking.
Show threadFubaroque2d ago
@CathyTuttle I've seen this. To them it is liberation. Freedom to move around without depending on somebody else.
Show threadOwen Beresford2d ago
@CathyTuttle
As a boring practical Q, does this include "what do those road signs mean?"
I did that at school, but YMMV
Show threadwoollypigs2d ago
@CathyTuttle as a former cycling instructor I approve of this message ;)
Show threadstux⚡️2d ago
@CathyTuttle Very good! 
Show threadPliiats2d ago
@CathyTuttle So wholesome! Made my day 🎀
Show threadXenotime, Librarian of Æther 2d ago
@CathyTuttle that’s awesome :3
Show threaditormint2d ago
@CathyTuttle hi!! I love this initiative!! Could you give me any tips on how to approach helping people learn to bike?? I'm gonna propose this to my colective! Thanks very much :)
Show threadCathy Tuttle2d ago
@itormint Check out https://defietsmeesters.nl -- they have an excellent system!
De Fietsmeesters - fietseducatie in en rond Utrecht

De Fietsmeesters bieden uitdagende, educatieve lesprogramma’s voor voorscholen, primair- en voortgezet onderwijs, fietslessen voor volwassenen en maatwerk

Defietsmeesters.nl
Show threaditormint2d ago
@CathyTuttle nice, thank you!! :D
Show threadMarkus2d ago
@CathyTuttle That friggin' rocks!
Show threadThe Orange Theme2d ago
@CathyTuttle This is beautiful. :) I came from a broken home, and I never learned how to ride a bike during the divorce and moving a bunch. Until middle school, when a classmate's little brother found out I couldn't ride one day and taught me how. Their parents were from India and they had immigrated to the US at some point. So I have immigrants to thank for my ability to ride a bike. :3
Show threadNicolai von Neudeck1d ago
@CathyTuttle I remember that a feminist group in Berlin Kreuzberg has been doing the same for decades. Because a bike allows for independence. I wonder if it still exists?
Show threadmedio pocillo ☕1d ago
@CathyTuttle
@ecosentido @davsot ☝️☝️👀
#PuertoRico #bikeTooter
Show threadecosentido1d ago
@mediopocillo @CathyTuttle @davsot No me sale el post original ☹️
Show threadmedio pocillo ☕1d ago
@ecosentido @CathyTuttle @davsot
Es este https://social.ridetrans.it/@CathyTuttle/116341407098461109
Cathy Tuttle (@[email protected])

Attached: 2 images I volunteer with a Utrecht non-profit De Fietsmeesters to help teach adults how to bike. Students are almost always women, and mostly new immigrants. There are 16 new riders in this class, and 4 of us volunteers. By the end of 10 weeks almost everyone is successfully biking on the road — it's so empowering! #utrecht #bikeTooter

Mastodon Transit Authority
Show threadthepoliticalcat1d ago
@CathyTuttle That's wonderful! I wish I'd had something like that. I had a terrible bike accident as a child, and have never learned to bicycle, although I so much want to!
Show threadZebadiah Carter1d ago

@CathyTuttle

This is so absolutely wonderful I can hardly stand it. Not only did you make me aware of more than one blind spot I hadn't considered, but you also put a tool in my toolbox for community empowerment.

I salute you, Ma'am! Huzzah!!!

Show threadlopta1d ago
@CathyTuttle I wonder whether small wheels and a step-through frame help. So far I've not been able to teach my son to ride.
Show threadCathy Tuttle1d ago
@lopta Step thru frame and take off the pedals. The Dutch teach their kids (and adults) by having them scoot around and learn how to balance.
Show threadlopta1d ago
@CathyTuttle We did that for a while, then put the pedals back on once he was pedalling. He could pedal, steer and talk but not all three at the same time and can't stop talking! Can't even get him to try now. :-(