School Training Solutions (STS) would like to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day.
Please take the time to remember those who have died protecting America.
Memorial Day 2013 Cemetary and American Flag
Did you know that Memorial Day originated after the Civil War to commemorate soldiers who died?
Today, it honors all Americans who have died protecting this country.
My Weekly Updates:
As promised, today’s video blog is my first attempt at a recorded feature demo. Here are some highlights.
Yes, students can review their answers on a test once they have successfully passed the test.
Step 1. Login to your account.
Step 2. Navigate to the test.
Step 3. Click on the magnifying glass icon.
NexPort Test Review Demo Screen-Shot
If you have any questions or problems, contact Customer Service at 1-800-261-6248.
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Visit School Training Solutions for your online training needs! — www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com
Don’t forget our “Sharing the Road” campaign. The Sharing the Road online course is available at the discounted price until the end of May. The online defensive driving course, The Threat of Road Rage, will be available at a discount during June. — www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com/SharetheRoad
Support National Bike Month in May. — www.BikeLeague.org/bikemonth
Subscribe to the blog. — www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com/feed
Check out our T-shirt Challenge to raise money for One Fund Boston.
Twitter: @SchoolTraining
#TshirtChallenge
Thank you for watching!
I am biking to work during the month of May. My name is Patrick. I am a husband, a son, and an uncle. I am also a bicyclist. I advocate Sharing the Road.
http://www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com/sharetheroad.
I am also the Director of School Training Solutions. http://www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com.
I choose to ride a bicycle, although I own multiple cars. I pay taxes.
Patrick Willi, Director of School Training Solutions, ready for biking.
May is National Bike Month. http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/
My goal is to ride to work all month.
This is my 5/21/13 trip via my helmet camera.
I work 2.69 miles from home.
It takes 10-15 minutes to drive.
It takes 10-12 minutes to bike.
I drive an old car with “bad” gas mileage.
I’ve saved at least $60.00 this month
.
Cyclists are held to the same laws as automobiles.
This includes stopping at Stop Signs and Traffic Lights.
Some states make exceptions for cyclists. Know your state laws!
This is Florida Hwy 90 (aka) Nine Mine Road (Pensacola, FL) – 6:50 a.m.
Pedestrians are supposed to travel toward oncoming traffic. They can see what is coming toward them.
Cyclists are supposed to travel with traffic. We don’t see what is coming toward us, from behind.
Bicyclists rely on motorists to be courteous and safely pass us.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
In 2011, 677 bicyclists died in automobile related accidents. http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/
Each morning I use 5 lights (2 solid; 3 flashing) and put on a bright orange bag.
I hope this makes me more visible to motorists.
On rainy or overcast days I add more lights and reflective clothing.
And this is only for 6 miles of riding a day.
Most states have a 3 foot rule to give bicyclists room on the road. http://www.3feetplease.com
Cyclists are not on the road to be a nuisance.
We are on bicycles for the same reasons you are in an automobile…
…traveling to work or to the store. (Or maybe for exercise.)
Co-worker about to say, “good morning.”
Good morning Josh. You’ll beat me to the office today.
I typically average 13-14 mph on this route. My max speed is about 20 (on this route).
Road conditions have an impact. Small debris and cracks can cause problems.
I feel every bump.
Cycling to work takes planning.
I prep everything the night before. Cycling clothes. Work clothes. Food. Bicycle and cycling gear, etc.
I also have to think about when/how I’m going to run errands before or after work.
The benefits I’ve noticed:
Exercise every day.
Saves money.
Reduces stress.
Better time management.
More energy at work.
Endorphins.
Draw-backs I’ve noticed:
Can’t carry as much stuff.
Motorists, thank you for safely Sharing the Road.
My Weekly Updates:
Today’s video blog was done off script. Here are some highlights.
Summer is our busiest time of year. School bus drivers do less driving and concentrate on the training requirements for the upcoming school year.
www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com
The “Sharing the Road” campaign is still going. The Sharing the Road online course is available at the discounted price until the end of May. The online defensive driving course, The Threat of Road Rage, will be available at a discount during June.
www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com/SharetheRoad
Support National Bike Month in May: www.BikeLeague.org/bikemonth
Congratulations to everyone who participated in Bike to Work Week, May 13 – 17.
Look for a demo video of our courseware on the blog next week.
Subscribe to the blog at: www.SchoolTrainingSolutions.com/feed
Check out our T-shirt Challenge to raise money for One Fund Boston.
Twitter: @SchoolTraining
#TshirtChallenge
Thank you for watching!
I hate reading articles like this: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/15/us/oregon-soccer-trekker-killed. Richard Swanson was an inspiration to many. He set a goal to dribble a soccer ball for charity from Seattle, WA to the 2014 World Cup in São Paulo, Brazil and was working to achieve it. There is an ongoing investigation about this highway incident. Based on this article, the driver of the truck is cooperating.
A blue soccer ball. Image used according to license permissions. © 2013 123RF Limited.
Unfortunately, injury and death are real dangers when venturing onto roads or highways on foot or by bike. I train for athletic events by running along the shoulders of many roads and minor highways; I bike on the road with cars, buses, and trucks. I’ve witnessed cars swerve toward me in both situations either on purpose or because of distracted driving. While I adhere to all traffic laws, my safety is never guaranteed. No cyclist or runner’s safety is guaranteed on the road.
I often wonder why the sight of a person or bicycle on the road can cause anger for drivers. What do you do when you see a cyclist, runner, or walker sharing the road? Do you get angry? Do you slow down or speed up to pass them? Do you yell or honk? Why? Ideally, everyone would simply slow down a little and give the individual plenty of room.
A member of the STS Cycling Team traveling through Biloxi, MS
Deaths like Swanson’s are avoidable. Why do they continue to happen? I think there are multiple problems working together with this issue. Most people believe, “It can’t happen to me.” Most people under-estimate the power of their automobile.
— Most cars weight roughly 4000 lbs or more.
— Most adult bicycles weigh roughly 30 lbs.
— Mountain bikes average 13-15 mph (with knobby tires) – depending on rider
— Mountain bikes average 15-18 mph (with slick tires) – depending on rider.
— Road bikes average 18-22 mph – depending on rider.
Motorized vehicles are far heavier and far faster than a bicycle, a runner, or a walker. Any contact from an automobile to a bicycle or pedestrian can be catastrophic and cause severe injury or death.
Woman running on roadway or highway. Image used according to license permissions. © 2013 123RF Limited.
Richard Swanson was someone’s son, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. This could have happened to anyone, but it doesn’t have too. When you are driving – ONLY drive. The phone call can wait; the text message can wait; the food can wait; the drink can wait. Concentrate on the road and the vehicles around you.
Thank you for reading. Continue Sharing the Road with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, school buses, and other vehicles!
May is National Bike Month. There may be more cyclists on the road in your area. This is also the start of the National Bike Challenge that runs May – September.
You can subscribe to my Blog here: https://www.schooltrainingsolutions.com/feed
Resources:
Article on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/15/us/oregon-soccer-trekker-killed
Richard Swanson’s website: http://breakawaybrazil.com/ and facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakawayBrazil
School Training Solutions Sharing the Road!
