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Original poster

Can you swim and ride a bike?

234 replies

Ferne88 · 04/09/2024 17:48

I kind of assumed that most adults (save for those prevented from doing so by health reasons) could swim and ride a bike, but my friend reckons not.

So can you swim (so by that I mean at least a 50 meter length) and ride a bike?

OP posts:

YeahComeOnThen · 04/09/2024 18:52

I could. I used to be confident doing both & doing reasonable distances. Then I had an accident and swam in circles for a bit. I discovered last weekend that I can now swim a straight line again, but can't do a lot of strokes (no rotation in my shoulder) and I wouldn't do a lot of things I used to enjoy. (Deep water swimming, kayaking in rough sea. It's changed my life hugely.

cycling I haven't tried yet as I'm terrified of falling off * and ending up smashing my shoulder again.

not sure my replaced shoulder could take the bike position or cope with the bouncing.

life changing too.

Still I'm able to put my own knickers on now, so that's progress.

EBearhug · 04/09/2024 18:56

thebastardsgotme · 04/09/2024 17:49

Yes but not at the same time.

You need to try a hydrospin class. 😉

I can do both. I have taught swimming and been a lifeguard. I have also been on cycling holidays, but then I lost my nerve for going on the road.

TheActualAudacity · 04/09/2024 18:56

Yep.

Can confidently swim 40 x 25 meters in 40 mins and I regularly cycle to and from work (Beryl Bikes near office so I can pick and choose when I want to).

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BirdGarden · 04/09/2024 18:58

I can't do either. Lack of money and/or appetite on both when I was younger. I have prioritised paying for swimming lessons and buying secondhand bikes for my daughters. They can both cycle without stabilisers, eldest can almost doggy paddle.

I am otherwise an active sort.

Disturbia81 · 04/09/2024 18:59

I know quite a lot who can't swim, maybe a few who can't ride a bike. I'm in my 40s so referencing my generation

In terms of kids then yeah know loads who can't do either.

Nobodywouldknow · 04/09/2024 19:01

I can but I would question the comment that the national curriculum says all kids must be able to swim 25 metres. My DSS school has one intensive week of swimming lessons per year from year 4 and it’s optional so no need to do it. There’s also no test that they have to do 25 metres. There’s no school pool at his future secondary school so it’s still possible for kids not to learn to swim at school. Similarly at my primary and secondary, no pool and nobody gave a shit about swimming.

OldTinHat · 04/09/2024 19:02

I can't swim but can ride a bike. My DC can do both.

PinotPony · 04/09/2024 19:02

Yes, I just did my first and last triathlon.

coxesorangepippin · 04/09/2024 19:03

Yes

DancingPhantomsOnTheTerrace · 04/09/2024 19:04

I doubt I could do a 50m length. I had lessons for years but never got the hang of it. If you chucked me into the middle of a pool I could just about do something resembling a breaststroke to get to the edge.

I can ride a bike.

housethatbuiltme · 04/09/2024 19:04

No, I can't swim due to my disability. I physically know how to but the action causes my body will react and start to lock up/shut down after about 10 meters. I have done endless lessons and been told by swim instructors, lifeguards and medical professional that its just not to be. I stick to the shallow end and 'doggy paddle' if needed for short bursts. I can't run either and struggle with stairs and inclines.

I assume I can ride a bike although I haven't ridden a push back since childhood and it took a long time to learn due to my co-ordination issues but I did learn eventually. I had a motorcycle license (so I have enough balance but a motor cycle is different to push bike mechanical action wise) although I dont ride anymore.

My DS can swim really well but can't ride a bike, he has never shown any interest in learning too.

My uncle couldn't ride a bike due to balance issues caused by an eyesight problem.

LuckysDadsHat · 04/09/2024 19:06

1 in 3 adults in the UK cannot swim. It is a life saving skill that needs to be taught for more than 6 weeks at school. No one can learn to swim to a safe level in 6 lessons.

housethatbuiltme · 04/09/2024 19:13

Badbadbunny · 04/09/2024 18:47

Yes, I don't know anyone who can't do both. Pretty basic life skills.

Do you ask everyone you meet if they can swim or ride a bike?

I don't think anyone has ever randomly asked me that in real life.

I honestly have never asked anyone outside of family and close friends either (and then with friends its just if it has randomly popped up in convosation naturally).

Thinking of all the people I know in my home town (a dozen of so outside of family) I don't know if any can swim or ride a bike and I have been friends with these people for 17 years.

theteddybear · 04/09/2024 19:16

I think you would probably be surprised in the amount of adults that couldn't swim. Ok I agree most will be able to but I've come across some in life that can't. I think riding a bike would be a very, very small percentage that couldn't. I don't know anyone that can't ride a bike.

My dad (early 60's) can't swim and one of my friends only learned as an adult. Also remember a mum at my daughter's swimming lessons mention she couldn't swim too.

Iloveeverycat · 04/09/2024 19:17

Yes of course. Swimming is a basic life skill and all my kids and GC's were put in lessons at aged 4
That's fine if you can afford it. My kids Primary school was useless at swimming lessons they only had about 4 weeks a year in year 5 and 6 and that was all so they did not complete it as part of the curriculum. When I was at school in the 70s we had free swimming lessons every week and went through all the badges.

GreatTheCat · 04/09/2024 19:20

Well I could do both very well until I had a Stroke. Now not so much.

HighHeelsOnCobblestones · 04/09/2024 19:21

Not brilliant at swimming, might not make a full 50m, but I can swim.

Can ride a bike, no probs.

OneFastDuck · 04/09/2024 19:22

Yes, very confident swimmer. Okish on a bike but wouldn't do anything daring.

I know a fair few over 70s who can't swim. My grandmother was very proud of her 1 mile sea swim medal as a lot of her friends couldn't swim at all. She got that as a young girl in the late 30s.

The only younger adults I know who can't swim are immigrants, a few from Africa and a few from India. Comes up when talking about DC swim lessons. There's an older lady at our local pool learning to swim, she must be over 75. She's doing very well

PandaOrLion · 04/09/2024 19:22

Yes, but I learnt to do both in my 30s.

JohnCravensNewsround · 04/09/2024 19:22

Rode a bike everywhere.
Never learned to swim as a child.
Tried as an adult but never got the hang of swimming out of my depth

BellaBlythe · 04/09/2024 19:23

Ma is over 60 we cab both do them. Late DF could not swim. but rode a bike. My DH both. Good skill to have.

WonderingWanda · 04/09/2024 19:24

Yes I can and so can my kids.

Pastit12 · 04/09/2024 19:25

Thursa · 04/09/2024 18:24

No, neither. There wasn’t money for swimming lessons and there definitely wasn’t money for bikes.

Same situation for me Thursa I have always regretted not being able to do either and going by this thread am definitely in the minority ☹️

Armadillosparkle · 04/09/2024 19:25

Yes and yes.

Getonwitit · 04/09/2024 19:26

Love cycling, not a strong swimmer but i can swim.

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