It’s nice to see more cyclists on the road as the weather gets warmer. Yesterday on my way home from work I had an impromptu ride with someone down Western Ave. just for fun. Short as it was it was enjoyable to not be the only one out there.
With more riders on the road you see things that you should not. I’m talking about people riding with out helmets, on the other side of the road, in an incorrect lane position. I don’t know when Clair, Bert, or John are offering their next class, but I encourage everyone to take it. Riding a bike is not like any other vehicle on the road and it should be ridden accordingly.
Don’t think I am so pretentious that I believe that I am perfect when it comes to road skills, but all I am saying is be safe out there. Not just safe for yourself but for pedestrians and motorists as well.
Also check your bike regularly to make sure that it is in good working order. You don’t want to be riding down State St. and have your brakes break on you.
Albany Bicycle Coalition 
A lot of these people don’t even know they’re doing anything wrong. And don’t care anyway. They don’t know about safety skills courses. They aren’t going to pay for them. There’s a big divide between the people “on the street” and the people who read this blog/mailing list/etc.
Most of the people you see with poor bike skills are just people who don’t know and don’t care to know any better. The ones slowly riding on the sidewalk with their seat too low and not wearing a helmet are just going somewhere they don’t feel like or have the time to walk to. They’re not interested in safety courses.