MCBC’s Basic Street Skills class teaches you to ride more safely and can be used to reduce your traffic citation fee.
To register for An UPCOMING class, click here.
If you’re taking the class to reduce your citation fee, you must first pay your fine in full and have a docket/case number.
Please choose your attendance date carefully! No class fee refunds may be issued within 5 days of class date unless the session is canceled due to low registration. (An email notification will be sent 48 hours prior to the class date if canceled.)
For updates about future class dates
If you have not yet paid your citation fee and received a docket / case number, you cannot take the class yet. To sign up for updates about upcoming class dates, please submit your information below:
about the class
Cyclists are the most vulnerable users of public roads; this class will teach you how to ride and drive defensively and avoid road rage behaviors. These classes also allow bicycle traffic citation fee reduction through class attendance and are held multiple times per year in Marin County.
In just two hours, this powerpoint and interactive presentation will teach participants to safely and confidently use a bicycle for transportation. Topics covered include how to avoid crashes and citations, improve visibility, ride through intersections, the legal rights, and obligations of cyclists, and more. Drivers benefit from the class as well, by learning how and why bicycles maneuver on the roads.
A bicycle is not necessary for the class unless you plan to ride one there!
Traffic Ticket Reduction
Basic Street Skills classes uniquely allow bicycle traffic infraction citation fee reduction through class attendance.
This partnership with Marin County Superior Court is the second of its kind in the Bay Area to provide bicycle education as a traffic court option. Cyclists that receive a citation/infraction on a bicycle that is a “California Vehicle Code violation” are permitted by the Marin County Court to attend a Basic Street Skills class to have their fees partially refunded.
Only bicyclists who plead guilty and forfeit their bail are eligible for attending the Basic Street Skills class to get their bail reduced.
How it works:
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The Marin County Superior Court will refund a portion of the traffic infraction citation fee upon the successful completion of the class (refunds depend on each defendant’s circumstances).
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The amount of the fine must be paid in full before attending the Basic Street Skills class.
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Cyclists that receive an off-road citation/infraction (any municipal code violation) are not eligible for a fee reduction unless the infraction is a “California Vehicle Code Violation”.
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Please bring a copy of your citation to the class for inclusion on your Certificate of Attendance. Please read through the Traffic Citation Fee Reduction information.
Class Instructor
James Sievert
A passion for education and bikes has led James to gain credentials as a public school teacher, League Cycling Instructor (LCI), bicycle mechanic, and CAT 1 cross-country racer.
Car-free since 2002, James enjoys both recreational and utilitarian cycling.
Attorney Guest Speakers
STRICK SCHNASSE LAWYERS has partnered with MCBC to help advocate for safer bike routes throughout Marin and to promote greater education on how to stay safe on two wheels. Their lawyers fight for cyclists’ rights in individual cases, and through the political process working to improve infrastructure design in our local communities.
STRICK SCHNASSE LAWYERS is a law firm is based in San Rafael, representing people who have been injured or lost a loved one. Their lawyers, who include a former professional road racer, regularly bike commute and ride extensively throughout Marin county. They understand the many benefits of cycling. They also know the rules of the road and just how vulnerable riders can be in traffic.