How to Ride a Bicycle

A common saying that is often used to describe something is “like riding a bike”—a skill that can never be forgotten once it is learned. Once someone learns how to ride a bike, they will always remember how to keep their balance and pedal, staying upright. However, the actual learning process of bicycling can be rather difficult. Nevertheless, there are ways to make bicycle riding a breeze to master.

1. Wear a helmet. It doesn’t matter what your skill level is, as accidents can happen to anyone. Being on a bicycle puts you at risk for falling, so it is important that you protect your head.


2. Practice riding your bike with training wheels before you choose to rely on your balance. Training wheels clip on to the back wheel of the bicycle to add extra stabilization. 


3. Remove the training wheels and lower the seat when you are ready to ride on only two wheels. Lowering the seat will allow your feet to touch the ground easier and make it easier to catch yourself if you feel you are going to fall over.


4. Find a level, grassy area away from traffic to make your first few attempts at riding solo. The grass will cushion you if you fall, and the soft ground will help your bicycle stay upright as opposed to hard concrete.


5. Get a friend to help you. They can hold on to the back of the bicycle seat to help you remain upright and balance you.


6. Walk the bike by pushing your feet along the ground to gain momentum. With your friend holding onto the seat, try to put your feet on the pedals and begin to pedal. If you feel like you are going to fall, remove your feet from the pedals and stabilize yourself by placing your feet on the ground again. 


7. Have your friend release their grip from the back of the seat when you feel you can keep your feet on the pedals. Continue pedaling, maintaining your balance through your body position and your hands on the handlebars. 


8. Practice breaking the bike by either squeezing the hand breaks or exerting a slight back pressure on the pedals When you have come to a stop, try to start again by pedaling without any assistance from your friend.


9. Raise your seat to the appropriate height when you feel you are comfortable with the starting, stopping and pedaling processes.  Know that it may take some more practice to truly master bicycle riding, but now that you know how, you won’t forget!