5 tips for learning to ride a bike as an adult

October 6, 2022

5 conseils pour apprendre à faire du vélo adulte - Neoca

I don't know if you remember your first bike rides, but I certainly do! On an empty parking lot at the age of 4, I still remember my father pushing my bike and me pedaling and pedaling, even after he let go. While my first experience with a bicycle without training wheels remained a good memory for me, not everyone can say the same, and some adults have never learned to ride a bike. Don't let bad memories get between you and bike commuting anymore; with Neoca, we'll help you learn to ride a bike as an adult.

1 - Get well prepared

Before getting on your beautiful new bike, it's important to get ready. And by "get ready," we mean having a safe environment where you can practice with complete peace of mind.

For this, you first need to be comfortable on your bike. Having a bike that fits you is essential, and knowing if yours is right for you is very simple! Indeed, when you sit on your saddle, your feet should be flat on the ground. Another condition is that when you pedal, your legs should not be straight but slightly bent.

Then, getting well prepared means protecting yourself well, and for that, you need a well-fitting bike helmet. In addition to protecting you, it will reassure you, and you can practice as much as you want without fear of injury. Moreover, there's nothing stopping you from equipping yourself with other protections like knee pads, gloves, or elbow pads.

2 – Get familiar with the bike

It might seem surprising, but getting to know your bike will help you understand it better and no longer see it as an instrument of torture. You'll make it a true friend.

To do this, you need to understand how it works. For example, you can turn your handlebars in all directions and use the brakes at the same time.

💡 Don't forget, the right brake helps you brake the rear, and the left brake helps you brake the front!

Then, all you have to do is choose the ideal place to learn to ride a bike. Opt for quiet places without any other users—pedestrians, motorists, or other cyclists—where you'll feel comfortable.

3 – Maintain balance

Riding a bike is all about balance, so it's logical that the first step for you to learn the art of cycling is to learn how to balance on your two wheels. Here are some simple exercises that can help you:

Move forward with your feet flat on your bike
Let yourself roll down a gentle slope with your feet off the pedals
Have someone push you, still with your feet off the pedals

When you're truly comfortable and understand how to stay balanced on your ride, you can try braking as well.

It's also important to remember that speed helps you maintain balance, so no more fear on long descents!

4 – On your marks, get set, pedal

You now have all the tools in hand to try pedaling. The easiest way is to have someone push you and then let go when you're pedaling fast enough. If that's not possible, you can also push very hard with one of your feet to give yourself a good boost and then pedal.

Be careful, however, avoid turning your handlebars and braking at the same time; otherwise, you risk ending up face down on the asphalt.

5 – What if it still doesn't work?

You're in luck, because many associations today offer adult bike lessons. The FUB (French Federation of Bicycle Users) lists 180 of them, but cities sometimes offer their own bike schools. So no more excuses to avoid cycling!

While the expression "it's like riding a bike, you never forget" is very common, some have never had the opportunity to learn. If you also don't know how to ride a bike, it's not too late! There's no age limit for learning, and the entire Neoca team encourages you 🚲