Learning to Ride as an Adult

You can learn to ride a bicycle as an adult (assuming you are relatively normal neurologically and physically). Depending on where you live, there might be a useful class you can take, such as Susan McLucas' operation in Boston.

They supply directions for learning on your own. I agree with most, but not all of them.

Here's my general strategy:

Borrow a bike that is too small for you, with a low top-tube (a mountain bike or hybrid, or, better, a women's bike with step-through or a drop-frame), and handlebars that are higher than the seat. You should be able to put both feet flat on the ground while sitting down, and you should be able to sit upright while holding onto the handlebars.

Have the pedals removed, and the gears (if any) put in the lowest or second lowest gear. Find a really empty, large, flat parking lot.

Sit on the bike with your feet on the ground, inching forward using your feet. Once you realize you cannot fall over this way, think fred flintstone and speed up. Drag the soles of your feet on the ground to stop. Pick your feet up off the ground and try coasting, for a second, then for longer.

When you realize you've figured this out (could take hours or even days, but feel free to consult the detailed directions from McLucas), practice using the hand brakes to stop without dragging your feet.

When you can coast as far as you like, and brake to a stop, putting your feet down only when the bike is stopped, have the pedals put back on. Leave the seat low! Avoid coaster brakes or fixed gear bikes for this. You want to be able to move the pedals backward without anything happening so you can start comfortably.

Once you can pedal, brake and reliably turn in the direction you want to go, you can either try to learn the gears on the bike you borrowed, or go shop for a bike with really easy to use gears. I recommend the latter.

Copyright 2009, Rebecca Allen
Created: July 10, 2009
Updated: July 10, 2009