How to ride a bike

How To Ride A Bicycle (Better) for Adults and Kids

No matter if you are a kid or a grown-up adult, the basics are the same. The fact you’re on this page means I don’t have to tell you why to cycle because you are already aware that going on a bike ride is one of the best things in life!

It’s never too late to start riding a bike.

In this guide, I will point out the basics of teaching kids to ride a bike and adults to start learning. Also, below, I will teach you how to be a better rider on roads and forest trails. How to brake, change gears, and so on.

So let’s start learning how to ride a bike. This guide is 1,500 words long, so it takes just 3-5 minutes to go through it.

1. Find a Safe Place for Your First Bike Ride

A safe place must be away from traffic. You should eliminate as many distractions as possible when making your first pedal strokes. Also, you don’t want to put yourself in danger.

For example, a safe place for your first bike ride is a park or any traffic-free road. The best place to start learning how to ride a bicycle would be on short, soft grass. It’s a little bit harder to start pedaling but if you fall, it doesn’t hurt.

Park lanes are also a good place to ride on because you’ll land on grass if you fall. Just make sure that there are no pedestrians around you.

DC Bike Ride occasionally organizes car-free rides around Washington DC, which lets you explore the capital without any traffic. This is a great way to practice riding a bike and meet other cyclists that you can ride with afterward. You can pedal past memorials and monuments with the city all to yourself and be a part of the community.

2. Wear Comfortable Clothes

Keep in mind that you may fall the first time you go on a bike ride and you don’t want to ruin your clothes.

You can use knee and elbow protectors, which will decrease the risk of injury. Make sure not to wear baggy shorts because if you fall, they might get tangled around the saddle and make things even worse.

Also, you should be wearing shoes that will offer at least some protection for your feet. Avoid riding a bike in sandals.

Finally, you should not wear loose trousers as they can also get stuck between the chainrings. If you have no other options, always make sure to tuck them inside the socks!

3. Wear a Helmet on Every Bike Ride

Let’s make it simple – wearing a helmet is an absolute must!

Wearing a helmet is especially important when you are in the learning stages of how to ride a bike. You must always wear a helmet and you should make sure that your kid wears a helmet as well.

To offer full protection, your helmet should be adjusted properly. It should neither be too tight nor too loose. Just take 10 minutes to adjust it properly because you have to do it only once and you might as well take your time and do it right.

Wearing a helmet on every bike ride is crucial because your head is fragile! In the best-case scenario, you’ll walk away from a crash with a bruise or a light concussion. Worst-case scenario, you’ll get much more serious injuries.

NOTE: By not wearing a helmet, you set a bad example for kids and other riders.

4. Adjust and Check Your Bike

Before every bike ride, do a quick check-up to make sure that your bike is in good working order.

Make sure that you have the right saddle height. You can check this by leaning against a wall.

When your saddle is adjusted properly, there should be a small bend in your knee when the pedal is in the 6-o’clock position.

However, if you are still learning how to ride a bike, you can lower your saddle slightly at first and raise it when you feel more comfortable. Make sure you can reach the handlebars easily, brake, turn, and change gears.

I don’t suggest changing gears while still learning because you might get distracted.

When it comes to brakes, typically the right brake lever controls the rear brake, whereas the left one controls the front brake. Keep in mind not to brake too hard with the front brake or you’ll flip over. Using both brakes at the same time is the proper way.

5. Go on a Bike Ride!

There are two ways for adults to learn and one for children.

Now I’ll teach you how I quickly learned to ride a bike.

If your child is learning how to ride a bicycle on a geared bike, you should select an easy gear. You should then hold the bike behind the saddle and encourage your kid to start pedaling while you’re pushing slightly. Let them feel the balance and let them stop and put one foot down.

Once they can maintain balance, ask them to start riding a bike in circles (not too small). If they can do this as well, you can let go of the saddle for a few seconds and see how they’re doing on their own.

If they’re doing well, keep your hand off the bike for 5 seconds, then for 10 seconds, (always walking/running close behind!) and then let go completely.

A balance bike is the best choice for your kid’s first bike ride – see our reviews of woom 1 and Strider

Once they are ready to change gears, you can support them once again if needed until they get used to the multitasking required to do so.

How To Ride a Bicycle (For Adults)

It’s never too late to start learning to ride a bike as an adult! (And you can always get better once you have started!)

Just start below from points 1 through 4.

Like I mentioned before, there are two main ways:

First of all, you want to select a low gear to make it easier to start pedaling. However, don’t select the easiest gear because you might spin out and fall.

The first method is that you lean against the wall, feet on the pedals, one hand on the handlebar. Start pedaling and push yourself away from the wall. Make small circles and then 8’s. Feel the brakes (RIGHT – REAR first!). Change gears, first with the rear derailleur and then with the front.

NOTE: Keep in mind not to push hard on the pedals when changing gears. You can damage the derailleurs or lose balance and fall.

The second method is to put one pedal up and place your foot on it. Then push down on it and sit on the saddle. At the same time, put the second leg on the other pedal and start pedaling.

Both are quite easy ways for those who want to learn how to ride a bike.

Changing Gears

Changing the gears is also a part of learning how to ride a bicycle.

Go from low to high. Change the gears by using the gear levers. I suggest not to change more than 2 gears at once.

Make sure not to pedal too hard while changing gears because you might damage the derailleurs in the long run.

What if the gears don’t change? Sometimes they do this. I hate when it happens on a hilly bike ride! You should press the lever again to change the gear up or down. If it’s a common problem, you might want to take your bike to a Local Bike Shop or learn how to fix this problem yourself on YouTube.

If you get the feeling, try to find the proper gear before you start climbing. You want to be in a lower gear to get up the hill much quicker. But what should you do when you realize that you can’t go over a very steep hill? Let me explain in the next chapter.

Braking

How to Brake with the Rear Brake?

Use the rear brake only in the beginning.

I will also teach you how to use the front brake properly. Just try to get the right feeling about how the brakes work. Ride at the speed of 10-15 mph, look for a reference point on the ground, and try to stop there with moderate braking. If you stopped too soon or too late, try again. It should be easy.

NOTE: Your tires should not skid while braking. If they do, it means you pressed the brake levers too hard.

Try to brake on different terrains – tarmac, wet asphalt, mud, etc. Notice how the bike acts differently. Braking is very important when learning how to ride a bike.

How to Brake with the Front Brake?

That’s one of the scariest things for a lot of cyclists, especially for those who are learning to ride a bike as an adult. Actually, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Let me explain.

When you ride a bicycle, your center of gravity is around the middle of the bike and quite high. Here comes the physics – if you brake with your front brake, then your bike stops, but your body (which is heavier than the bike) wants to move forward. Because you didn’t slow down your body but the bicycle! To avoid that, you might want to brake smoothly with your front brake.

But, you must use your front brake! It’s crucial in many situations. You can use your rear brake in most cases, but for emergencies, you want to use your front brake too.

Practice makes perfect. Try using only the front brake while riding a bike slowly. Do it smoothly. If you get the feeling, then try to turn. You see that it acts differently.

When riding a bike on a very steep hill, you must use only your front brake!

Why? Because otherwise, you might fall backward.

Always use the front brake with caution!

How to Brake with Both Brakes?

Actually, you should use both brakes all the time. You should look at the rear one as the main brake and at the front one as the auxiliary brake. When turning on slippery roads, you might want to let go of the front brake because it can make you fall.

Practice

Practice, practice, and practice. That’s the only way to learn how to ride a bicycle. Riding a bike is something you never forget. The more you practice, the more you know about how to ride a bike and the more confident you become.

If you have any questions, you can check YouTube too, there are brilliant bike ride videos.

And remember, even if you can ride a bike – ALWAYS wear a helmet! I hope you now know how to teach a kid to ride a bike as well!

I wish you safe bike rides!

What are the benefits of riding a bicycle?

Going for a bike ride is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. Riding a bike will help you lose weight, keep your joints healthy, reduce blood pressure and risk of heart rate disease, as well as help you fight depression and anxiety.

What is a good distance for a beginner cyclist?

If you are an absolute beginner and you’ve never gone on a bike ride before, you should start with 5-mile rides. Do them a few times a week and then increase your weekly mileage by 10-15% each week. Depending on how you feel, you can lower or increase the mileage more.

What does a beginner cyclist need?

Everything that a beginner cyclist needs to go on their first bike ride is a working bicycle and a helmet. That’s it. In the beginning, you don’t need to worry about fancy components, accessories, and advanced gear. Put your helmet on, get on the bike, and start riding.

What is the best way to teach a child to ride a bike?

The best way to teach a child how to ride a bicycle is with a balance bike. Balance bicycles provide a natural, intuitive, easy, and fun way to learn. Children quickly figure out how to work a balance bike with minimal input from parents and then easily transition to a real bicycle.

How long does it take to learn to ride a bicycle for adults?

Everyone is different, so the time it takes to learn to ride a bike as an adult is individual. Some people might need minutes or one hour, others might need an entire day, whereas some might need a few days or weeks. Just remember not to give up and you’ll learn eventually.

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About

Bicycle Guider was founded in 2015 as a free resource of firsthand bicycle tests and reviews, guides, how-to’s, and other types of cycling-related topics.

This is a place where you can learn all about cycling and get recommendations from experienced riders passionate about the sport.

Our team consists of life-long riders who enjoy researching and writing about bikes.

We love and ride all kinds of bikes, so you’ll find articles and guides related to road, mountain, hybrid, gravel, electric, and other types of bicycles.

Enjoy reading, learning, and discussing, and see you out there!

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How To Ride A Bike (Adults and Kids) – A Bike Riding Guide

In this guide, you can learn how to ride a bike and build your confidence.

Because people have been told that ‘if you didn’t learn to ride a bike as a child, it will be difficult to learn as an adult,’ many people don’t make the effort. Don’t let that be you, it’s simply not true.

Cycling is one of the best things to experience in life. No matter if you are a grown-up or a kid, the basics are similar. After all, learning how to balance on a bike is not harder than learning as a kid.

So if you have never learned how to use a bike as a kid, then you are not alone, it is never too late to start.

Remember, cycling is a great form of exercise and a great way to commute. It requires techniques, a little falling, some failure but anybody can learn how to ride a bike.

Here I have pointed out the basics for kids and adults on how to learn how to ride a bicycle without an instructor. Also, I will teach you how to ride bikes better with gears and how to brake, steer, and turn.

However, before you start learning how to ride a bicycle, here are two things you should definitely keep in mind:

Patience: Do not try to push the cycling process. Take a break if you feel frustrated or tired and then start again later. Take shorter practice sessions then try to do all in one day.

Don’t give up: You may not learn to pedal the very first day, however with continued practice, you can achieve it. Each time it gets easier.

Follow these simple rules to get started before you learn how to ride a bicycle.

#1 Set Up Your Bike!

It is essential to know how to use a bike. You can either borrow a bike to start or buy a new one. Find a bike brand so you could swing your leg over, sit on it comfortably, and balance your legs easily.

Make sure both your legs should be flat on the ground. If you are up on your toes then balancing on the bike can be harder.

Find a bike that can easily adjust the seat up and down for a comfortable ride.

#2 Find a safe place to start

Your safe place must be far away from traffic. The best way to learn to ride a bike is with no distractions. Also, you don’t want to put yourself or your loved one in danger.

You can find your safe place in some park or on a traffic-free road. A good way to start learning cycling is on a flat surface.

However, starting to ride on short-grass works best as it prevents falls and hurts less.

#3 Wear comfortable clothes

You don’t want to ruin your clothes while you ride because you may fall several times when you try to ride. Make sure you use protection to eliminate the possibility of injuries on knees.

Wear Comfortable clothes for Bike Ride

Wearing long sleeves shirts and pants also helps you to protect from falling. Avoid using baggy shorts or skirts, these may get caught in the chains and gears of the bike. Buying the best cycling shorts for a long distance is a must if you are on a bike ride.

Also try to avoid open toes shoes, use closed-toe shoes like joggers when you are learning.

#4 Put on a helmet!

Safety is an important factor while bike learning. Helmets are an essential requirement for beginners and experienced bike riders, cause an accident can happen any time. Make sure your kid wears a helmet especially when they are learning.

The helmet is strong and hard then your head. Make sure you choose helmets that perfectly fits you. The helmet tilted back on your head may leave your head to impact and can increase the chances of the helmet falling off.

Correct way to wear bicycle helmet

There should be a proper gap size of around two fingers between the helmet and your eyebrows

A good helmet comes down an inch above your eyebrows.

Hence, staying safe is essential. If you are not wearing your helmet, you may set a bad example for the other riders as well.

#5 Learn During Daytime

Riding can be done at any time, however, it is not recommended for beginners.

This means that you’ll be spending a lot of your time learning to ride and work on your balance. The bike can drift towards the traffic when you speed up. This can put you in danger and you may have a hard time seeing through the lights.

However, if you still have to go out at night, then wear light color clothes and make sure you use reflective stickers and bike headlights.

#6 Adjust and Check your Bike

Lower the seat of the bike if it is high enough for you. Make sure both your feet are flat on the ground when seated.

Check whether your brakes are working or not. Adjust the pedals to your comfortable position so you have a bend behind your knee when your leg is in a lower position.

Make sure you can easily hold the handle and can put on a brake and change gears. Now before you start to learn how to ride a bike, you should practice these few steps!

#7 Learn to Glide

Now before you start riding your bike, learning basic balance is necessary. It involves scooting on the bike with your feet on the ground, this technique can be done by adults and kids.

Scooting helps to understand and learn balancing on 2 wheels. The main target is to push off both feets from ground for as long as you can. As soon as you start to glide without touching your feet down you can start with pedaling.

#8 Practice getting on and off

Now, when you have settled down with your bike, it is a great idea to practice getting on and off the bike. Stand on one side and lean the bike towards you to straddle easily. Do it several times to get comfortable with it.

Tip: Use your brakes when getting off the bike so it does not wobble or roll.

Now when you feel you are ready, start riding the bike.

how to ride a bike for adults?

You can ride your bike smoothly as long as you follow all the rules mentioned above. Now, there are two ways to learn how to ride a bike.

The first one is, lean against the nearest wall, put your feet on the pedal, and one hand on the handlebar. Slowly start to push yourself away from the wall.

Note: Do not push the pedals too hard even when using gears.

The second one is the Schitt’s Creek method. Put one pedal up and put your foot on it, then push the pedal downwards and sit on the saddle. Now use the other leg to pedal from the other side and start riding a bike.

Both are easy methods to learn riding a bicycle.

Steering and Turning

Once you are able to start pedaling your bike, practice steering and turning. Try to draw eight numbers when you are cycling. Take a wider turn at the beginning and then start to make smaller ones.

Tip: Do not pedal the entire time or you may go too fast resulting in an uncontrolled turn. Use the formula, pedal, and coast.

how to Teach your child to ride in 45 minutes

Learning how to ride a bike can be easy for kids. However, it is still a challenge for them.

Ask your kid to sit on the bike, hold the saddle behind them and let them pedal while you apply a little push of small velocity.

Let them feel the balance when they ride their bike. Ask them to stop and put their one foot down after a small distance.

As soon as they get the feeling, let them start marking small circles. You can leave the saddles when they understand the process. Make sure you are walking or running behind them until they are doing well.

how to ride a bike with gears

The process of riding a bicycle is the same even with gears. However, when your kids start changing gears while riding you may need to handle the saddle again for some time.

Make use of the rear derailleur as they change the speed smaller.

Try changing gears from low to high when you ride.

Sometimes the gears don’t change. Yes! it can be frustrating especially when you are on a steep hill. Take your bike to a local shop or take online help to fix this common problem.

How to learn with a rear brake?

Try to use the rear braking at the beginning. Ride for 10 mph and stop with mediate braking to your destined point. Try again if you stop late or soon. The best performance of braking is when you don’t skid.

How to brake with front gears?

When you brake with the front brake your body might move you forward. To avoid this you might want a smooth braking technique. you can use rear brakes in most cases, however, for shorter distances use front brakes only.

Make use of the front brake when you are riding your bike slowly. When it is working smoothly try to make a turn.

Note: When you ride on a steep hill, make sure you always use the front brake otherwise you may fall backward.

How to brake with both brakes

You should always use both of your brakes. The rear brake is the main one and the front makes the distance shorter. When you are turning on a slick road you should let go of the front brake because that will make you fall.

Common Faq’s

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BIKE FOR 10 MILES?

The best average of a 10-mile bike is between 45 mins to an hour. If you have just started to ride a bike then it is more likely an hour mark. Slowly the speed of your ride will increase and time taken will be reduced eventually.

How easy is it to ride a bike?

For many people riding a bicycle is easy. But if you are just starting to learn how to ride a bike, then try to ride every alternate day so it won’t feel hard every time.

how to ride an electric bike?

Riding an electric bike is the same as riding a standard bike. You control your speed with your legs, however, the pedaling is powerful and accelerates easily. The harder you pedal the faster you ride. Start with low-assist modes if you are a beginner.

how to ride a bike without training wheels?

Walk-up a grassy slope and coast down slowly with your legs in outward direction from the bike. The grass keeps your speed down and makes you stop at a point.

Repeat this several times until you are confident with balancing and steering of the bike. When you are comfortable with the coasting keep your feet on pedals and start to practice the pedaling.

how to get into cycling?

how to bike in the rain?

What age should you ride a bike?

Learning to ride a bicycle without the use of training wheels is an important achievement. Kids can generally learn to ride a bike when they are age 3 to 8, with an average age of over 5.

What are the steps to riding a bike?

Can you teach yourself to ride a bike?

Learning to ride a bike is not as hard as learning when you are a kid. All you have to do is follow the step-by-step rules and procedures. All you need to start learning is to own a bike and a safe space, wide place without traffic to practice.

Remember To Practice

Cycling can only get better as long as you are practicing. The more you practice, the more you learn how to ride a bike.

Always remember to wear your helmet and safety gear before you teach your kid how to ride a bike!

Check youTube for best riding videos to understand the techniques better.

How to Ride a Motorcycle in 10 Simple Steps

Learning basic motorcycle operation is similar to learning how to drive. Both can be a little intimidating at first. But if you approach riding a motorcycle with care and caution, you can make the learning process less intimidating.

Once you’ve settled on the type of motorcycle you want to ride, purchased adequate safety gear, including a well-fitting helmet, and taken care of licensing and insurance, you’re almost ready to ride. While there is no substitute for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, these 10 tips will help reinforce what you learn.

Before You Get Started

Make sure to give your motorcycle a thorough inspection before hitting the road. Let the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s acronym for their checklist, T-CLOCS, guide you. You want to make sure the following are in good working order, and not just the first time you hit the road but every time you go for a ride.

Safety Gear

Even at parking-lot speeds, it’s easy to seriously scrape yourself up in a motorcycle accident. Make sure you’re protected by wearing as much safety gear as possible, including gloves, armored clothing, and boots. Even if you don’t live in one of the states that require some or all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, it’s always a good idea to wear one. Once you’re dressed for the part, you’re ready to get on the bike.​

Mounting the Motorcycle

Depending on how tall you are, mounting a motorcycle can be awkward the first couple times you do it. With a bit of practice, this will soon be second nature. Stand on the left side of your bike with your knees slightly bent and your weight centered over your legs. Reach over and grab the right handle with your right hand, then place your left hand on the left handle so that you’re slightly leaning toward the front of the bike.

To mount the bike, shift your weight onto your left leg, then kick your right leg back and then up and over the bike. Be careful to lift your leg high, or it might get caught before reaching the other side of the bike. Once you’re straddling the bike, sit down and acquaint yourself with the motorcycle’s controls. Note the foot peg position and the location of turn signals, horn, and lights. Remember to make sure your mirrors are adjusted—you’ll rely on them quite a bit while riding.

Throttle and Brakes

When riding a motorcycle, your right hand is responsible for two crucial functions: acceleration and braking. By twisting the grip toward you (so that your wrist moves down), you apply the throttle. A little twist goes a long way, so be delicate with this control because revving the engine can lead to instability or cause the front wheel to leave the pavement.

Your right hand also controls the front brakes, whose lever is located in front of the throttle, much like on a bicycle. Smoothness is crucial here as well. Yank the brake lever too hard, and the front brakes can lock up, causing the bike to skid and even crash. Though most brake levers only require two fingers to operate, some require you to use your entire hand. Your right foot, meanwhile, controls the rear brake.

Which brake is the best to use? Safety experts say that, in most situations, gently applying the rear brake first, then easing off and slowly applying the front brake is the most effective means of stopping. But braking safely also depends on the kind of bike you’re riding. If you’re on a sport bike, you may be able to get away with just using your front brake most of the time. If you’re on a heavy cruiser, you’ll rely more on your rear brake.

Clutch

The clutch is the lever just ahead of the left-hand grip. Most sport bikes require only two-fingered operation. Touring, cruising, and other motorcycles often require the whole hand to grab the lever. The clutch on a motorcycle does the same thing that a car’s clutch does; it engages and disengages the transmission and engine. When you squeeze the clutch lever, you’re effectively putting the bike in neutral (even if the shifter is in a gear). When you let go, you’re engaging the engine and transmission. Practice pulling the clutch with your left hand slowly. Imagine it’s a dial with a range of power, rather than an on/off rocker switch, and you’ll be able to engage gears more smoothly.

Shifting

Motorcycles shift differently than cars. While operating on the same principle, motorcycle shifts are executed by moving a lever up or down with the left foot. A typical shift pattern, called «one down, five up,» looks like this:

Finding neutral with your left foot takes some getting used to. Practice by clicking the shifter back and forth; look for a green «N» to light up on the gauges. While some motorcycles can be shifted without using the clutch, make it a habit of using the clutch every time you shift.

As with the manual transmission on a car, begin by disengaging the clutch, then shift gears and slowly re-engage the clutch. Feathering the throttle with the clutch adds smoothness to the shifting process. Be sure not to over-rev in each gear and to shift before the engine starts to work too hard.

Starting the Motorcycle

Unless you own a vintage motorcycle, your bike has an electronic ignition that makes starting the engine as easy as starting a car. Your bike won’t start unless the kill switch is in the «On» position, so flip it down before you turn the key (the kill switch is usually a red rocker switch operated by the right thumb). Next, turn the key to the «Ignition» position, which is typically to the right.

Make sure you’re in neutral, then use your right thumb to push the start button, which is typically located below the kill switch and marked by a logo of a circular arrow surrounding a lightning bolt. Many bikes require you to disengage the clutch while you start the engine. This is simply a precaution to prevent the bike from accidentally lurching forward because it’s in gear.

As you hold the start button, the engine will turn over and start to idle. Carbureted bikes might need a slight twist of the throttle as the engine turns over in order to get fuel into the cylinders. Fuel-injected bikes don’t need this.

Warming Up the Engine

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The practice of warming up car engines has largely become obsolete, but warming up a motorcycle engine is still a crucial part of the riding ritual, particularly when a bike is carbureted. Doing so ensures that the engine will provide smooth, consistent power as you begin your ride. You should idle for anywhere from 45 seconds to several minutes, depending on factors such as ambient temperature, engine displacement, and oil capacity. Use the temperature gauge as a general guide, and avoid revving the engine.

The Kickstand or Centerstand

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Most modern bikes automatically shut off if the kickstand is still down when the bike is put into gear. If your bike isn’t equipped with this feature, make sure you retract the kickstand by literally kicking it up with your left foot and allowing it to tuck underneath the underbody of the bike. Not doing so can be a serious safety hazard.

Center stands, mounted beneath the motorcycle, require the bike to be rocked forward. Stand to the left of the bike, place your left hand on the left handle and straighten the front tire. Place your right foot on the center stand’s tang to make sure it’s flush on the ground, then push your bike gently forward. The center stand should then click and pop up.

Riding and Steering

Now that you’ve reviewed all the steps of how to ride a motorcycle, it’s time to hit the road. Pull the clutch lever, press the shifter down to first gear, release the clutch slowly, and gently twist the throttle. As the bike gains forward momentum, put your feet up on the pegs.

Of course, you won’t be riding in a straight line. You’ll need to know how to steer your motorcycle. Just like a bicycle, a motorcycle is turned by counter steering once you hit about 10 mph, not by turning the handlebars from left to right. Counter steering involves pushing the handgrip on the side you want to turn. If you want to turn right, you’ll need to lean slightly to the right while pushing the right handgrip away from you. Turning is actually easier to do than to describe, so trust your instincts when you get out on a bike.

The key is to maneuver your motorcycle with a smooth touch and gradual input. Doing so will not only make you a safer rider, it will make your riding more graceful and effortless. Remember to start slowly. Learning how to ride a motorcycle with skill takes time and practice.

Want to Learn How to Ride a Bike as an Adult? Follow These 6 Tips

Don’t believe the naysayers: It’s never too late.

There’s a common misconception that if you didn’t learn how to ride a bike as a kid, you’ve missed your chance. But Marilyn Northcotte has been teaching adults how to ride for decades through a program called Pedal Ready in Wellington, New Zealand. The vast majority of her students (some as old as 69!) have mastered the art of riding.

After all, learning to ride a bike as an adult is no harder than learning as a kid as long as you take the same step-by-step approach to the process—and push grown-up fear and nerves out of the way. All you need is a bike and a safe, wide-open place to practice, like an empty parking lot or park.

Follow these steps below and you’ll to learn how to ride a bike in no time.

Set up your bike

First make sure you can stand over your bike without the top tube pressing into you. (If you can’t, you’ll need to pick a smaller size. Remember, proper bike fit is important when possible.) Then lower the seat so you can sit on the saddle with your feet just resting on the ground. You should be able to reach the handlebars and brakes comfortably.

Practice getting on and off

To mount the bike, lean it toward you while applying the brakes so it doesn’t roll or wobble. Apply the brakes again when getting off the bike.

Get used to braking

Braking is a crucial skill that Northcotte says will give you a lot of confidence starting out. Walk next to your bike and push it down the street while practicing pulling on the brakes to stop. Make sure you apply pressure evenly on both brakes.

Best Beginner Bikes for Adults

A fast women’s road bike that’s comfortable enough to ride for hours.

A throttle-equipped bike with electric pedal assistance.

An affordable frame and components package that rides above it’s price range.

A sturdy commuter to get you where you’re going lickety-split.

Learn to glide

Now you’re ready to start moving. Northcotte teaches the basic “balance method,” which involves scooting on the bike with your feet, to adults as well as children.

“Scooting along helps them to learn the feeling of balancing on two wheels,” she says. “The aim is to push off and get both their feet off the ground for as long as they can. If they need to put one foot down to correct their balance, then they put both down and start again. Once they can glide along without touching their feet down to correct themselves, they are ready to begin pedaling.” Practice your glide until you can keep your feet up for three seconds.

Hone your balance and vision

“Anything that involves balance is helpful and can be used as a point of reference,” Northcotte says. “For example, if you’ve ridden a scooter before with both feet on the platform, you should be able to balance on two wheels.” Look toward where you want to go, instead of focusing on obstacles to avoid. Keep your eyes up and always look ahead instead of down. It will help you maintain balance and follow your line of vision.

Get ready to pedal

Once you can maintain balance while gliding and have mastered braking and keeping your vision steady, you’re ready to pedal. Start with one foot on the ground and the opposite foot on a pedal in the two o’clock position to give you some momentum when you push off.

Then push down on the pedal and add your other foot as you move forward. You’ll notice the faster you pedal, the easier it is to maintain your balance. Practice pedaling circles around the park or parking lot. Once you develop confidence, get off the bike and move your seat up so that your feet reach the pedals with only a very slight bend. Practice navigating cones or obstacles until you get the hang of it. You’re riding a bike!

Cycling for Beginners: 6 Need-to-Know Tips to Get Started

From finding the right bike to gearing up, we’ve got you covered.

From the outside looking in, cycling looks simple—all you have to do is pedal, right? But it can sometimes come off as intimidating if you’re brand new to getting back on the bike for the first time in a few years. You might find yourself thinking, “Wait, I need more gear?” or simply, “Yikes. Spandex.”

But once you take that first ride, we’re sure you’ll be hooked by the sense of freedom, adventure, and joy so commonly felt on the bike. Getting started is easier than it seems, and we’ll let you in on a little secret: You don’t even have to wear tight fitting clothes if you don’t want to. To help, we’ve gathered up six need-to-know tips on how to ride a bike for beginners so you can hit the open road with confidence.

1. Choose the Right Bike

Of course, you can’t get started without a great set of wheels. While we’re big fans of all types of bikes, we’re specifically talking about bikes suitable for the road here. This is the most common and accessible form of cycling for beginners, and the lightweight bikes—with skinny tires and efficient riding geometry—are designed to help you navigate paved bike paths and city streets.

Just like picking the perfect pair of running shoes, you first need to size your bike. Stand over the top tube and shoot for about an inch of clearance between your body and the frame. If this sounds foreign to you, your local bike shop can help with this. Get more details on how to find the right bike size here. Need a little boost when getting around? You might want to check out the latest fleet of e-bikes.

Next you need to pick a bike that fits your budget and riding style. Are you going to log casual miles on the weekends? Do you want to use your bike for exercise? Are you planning on eventually doing long-distance rides like centuries or racing? Road bike frames have specific geometries and components, tailored for each of these goals at every price point.

Think about how you intend to use the bike, and how you might want to grow with the bike. (For example: Maybe you can only ride 20 miles now, but you have a 75-mile charity ride in your sights). Then work with your local bike shop to find the right pick.