Learning to ride a bike

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Does anyone know how I can learn to ride a bike? At nearly 40 I feel this is a life skill I should have.

I did a free lesson with my local borough but it was all about using the bike as a balance bike (no pedals) and I didn't progress to using pedals within that one hour. There was no plan of what I could do next and the instructor almost seemed to imply as I hadn't got it in that hour I may as well not bother.

I'm happy to pay for lessons but can't find anything.

I've read that using a fixed exercise bike (like in a gym) regularly can build up the right muscle groups but for getting used to balancing on a bike I think you just have to find somewhere quiet and pad yourself with skateboard protection (elbows knees etc) expecting lots of knocks, bumps and tumbles at first.

I learned as an adult (but never really got very good and never enjoyed it). Find somewhere with a slight downhill slope and a smooth surface. I found the most difficult thing was setting off, which is easier on a slope. Arrange the bike so the up pedal is about half way between vertical and horizontal. Put your foot in that pedal and push off with the other foot gently, push the pedal foot down and find the other pedal with the other foot. This is very important USE THE BRAKES TO STOP (I always tried to stop by putting my foot down, don’t put a foot down until you have come to a stop). Once you get pushing off you can progress to turning the pedals. Learning to use the brakes was a turning point for me. Most people who can ride a bike don’t remember how they learned and will tell you all sorts of confusing things. I found having someone else hold the bike unhelpful. Good luck.

I would add that knowing you can always stop using the brakes is a big confidence booster, once you get going you need to feel in control.

Get an adult trike, seriously, they're far more comfortable to ride.

I learned as an adult, mostly by lining up the bike parallel with a wall, (think of a lane behind houses) then pedalling along with one hand on the wall and the other on the handlebars. No good for braking however, that comes later.

Thanks for all the tips! I am very tempted by the adult trike I must admit! 😀

Children best learn on too-small bikes & I suspect same for adults. Find one that is undersized. When you know you can get your feet to ground fast, you're a lot braver.

I'm not sure where in the country you are but there are a few off-road cycle circuits near me that host Breeze rides (Google British Cycling Breeze). These would allow you to learn in a safe space away from traffic. Just get into with the ride leader first to let them know you're coming to practise and I'm sure they'd help. I am one such rude leader and we put space on the circuit aside for people wanting to learn.

Try Bikeability?

I learnt aged 38. Never managed as a kid. Do you have somewhere you can practice?

I taught myself at age 19. I thought it was about time I learned, and it was worth it.

I had the new bike, purchased the day before (and slowly wheeled home on foot)

I took it to a private estate of quiet roads and had a go at rolling it downhill for a little momentum and getting my feet on the pedals. Once you are moving, the balance happens and it's as easy as... riding a bike. I find that with my DCs too. Their hurdle is getting that first push to move. I learned to pedal and balance in that one session.

I did have a mishap when the gradient increased and being still in the first gear, was going way too fast and ended up being brought to a halt by the kerb of the far side of the bend in the road. Thank goodness no cars were around!

Once you have the feel of the balance, that's it, you have it. I find it similar with the DCs too, although if it's been a while they can forget. I have had long phases without riding and can always get back and do it.

Generally you need the back brake more to moderate speed and the sharper front brake less frequently.

I'm not fantastic with gears. Generally a mid-gear will get you through most cycling. Maybe lower for going uphill to reduce effort, and higher for downhill going fast, but that's not an immediate concern. You need to pedal when changing gear, and it can feel jolty, so save it for when you are happy with balance.

The skill I struggle with is balancing with hand signals for road cycling, but I mainly cycle off road or very quiet estate roads. I avoid major roads.

keep on with using a bike as a balance bike with no pedals. its all about learning about how the bike moves under you, especially about getting a feel for how much easier it is to balance once your speed is higher. once you can balance without pedals, riding is pretty easy.

Downhill slopes are your friend.

Stand straight and then lean forward until you automatically catch yourself. Whichever foot goes forward is your launching foot as I call it. For the sake of argument, call it your left. Put left foot on pedal. Push off firmly with right foot and at the same time lift yourself onto the seat, give another push with right foot if you have to to keep rolling. Push pedal down with left foot and lift right to the right pedal.

Start pedalling. Not too slowly. If this is a bike with gears, 3 is a good place to start. Do not be alarmed by any clunking from gears or chain. They'll sort themselves. Always start on flat or downhill slope. Going uphill, its harder to build any speed and the faster you go, the easier it is to balance. Lean into corners rather than yanking the handlebars. Make sure your bike fits you. If you can put your feet flat while sitting on the seat its too low. Handlebars higher than seat is more comfortable for me.

If you need to brake you have a back brake and a front brake. Use the back brake (usually the left one) to slow down before applying front brake. Using front brake first will result in a spectacular flight over the handlebars if the brakes are new/in good nick.

Its easier than it sounds. You just have to relax and go with it.