Long Beach residents and cycling advocates Kellie and Dave Morris will be teaching free basic and advanced bicycle skills classes this summer in North Long Beach, thanks to LA Metro’s sponsorship of a bicycle education series to take place throughout greater Los Angeles.
As a creative team member of the Long Beach-based initiative PedalLove.org, she writes the “We All Ride Bikes” column. In a post entitled “Practicing Balance,” she describes her experience learning how to ride the Carson velodrome, the first and only permanent indoor track of international standard in the country.
All of her posts seek to prove that yes, anyone can learn how if they truly try.
She is also certified through the League of American Bicyclists’ national teaching program. This year will also be Kellie’s second year on the Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition’s teaching team, sponsored by Metro.
Dave, her husband of 35 years, is now a certified instructor as well.
“Dave and I support each other in our shared goals for our students. We want people to have an epiphany about how fun it is to ride a bike,” said Kellie in a statement. “We also want our students to have fun and enjoy the learning experience as they learn to be safe and confident. Our mission is to enable riders to bike safe and have fun.”
The Morris’ have been able to change their lives drastically for the better by the splendid way of the bike. The two share one car and use their bicycles and public transportation to run errands, make appointments and to thrive throughout the city. Healthy eating and riding more have enabled the couple to stop using blood pressure medication. Both were pre-diabetic and now have normal blood sugar levels, according to the release.
Now Dave and Kellie wish to share their combined knowledge and experience to inspire others to pick up the healthy habit.
“Bicycling moves me,” Dave said. “I am able to experience the total environment when I travel, instead of merely experiencing the isolation of a car. I’m making new friends, finding new opportunities and broadening my view of the world because bicycling is part of my life. It’s great to be able to share that and see others experience it as well.”
Classes will be held on the following dates:
- July 11: 9:00AM – 1:00PM
- July 11: 3:00PM – 5:00PM
- July 18: 9:00AM – 1:00PM
- July 25: 9:00AM – 1:00PM
- August 1: 9:00AM – 1:00PM
- August 8: 3:00PM – 5:00PM
Participants must register in advance by signing up here. For more information that can’t be found online, please call Kellie at 562.482.9525. Classes will be held at Councilman Richardson’s Field Office at 6509 Gundry Avenue.
Photo of Kellie Morris courtesy of PedalLove.org.