How do you teach an adult to ride a bike?

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

I know some adults who never rode before swear by removing the pedals, lowering the saddle, and learning to coast. At least for a few sessions.

Will these women have access to bikes after the course?

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This was exactly how I just learned. The first time I took the class - the class size was roughly 15 people with three instructors (3 hour class) - 3 years ago. The second time I decided to have a private one on one session which took me a little further as far as balancing and attempting to pedal after coasting down a sloped parking lot - one month ago.

I practiced a little at a time with a friends bicycle and with her help she would give me a little push down a slight slope (again in a parking lot) and was getting closer to pedaling. My"ah-hah" moment was figuring out what to do with my feet on the first down stroke and how I had to shift my weight back as I did this and then shift forwards once I was pedaling with both feet.

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Originally Posted by lph

Whoo! Just back from the first class.

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:)

glad it was fun for you!!!!

Ooof, a bit frustrated now. It's not because we're not making progress - we are, many of them have now transitioned to using both feet on the pedals, if only for two or three revolutions. But it feels like I don't know how to instruct, what tips to give. I don't know what the barriers are and I don't know how to help. I have the suspicion that this comes with trying to teach adults. I think they basically have to teach themselves, and all we can do is try to give various ideas and examples. The ones who have progressed are the ones who have just tried and tried and tried.

We have two or three who are struggling with basic balance on a bike after three sessions, and even when we give them the smallest bikes they feel unsure because they are quite short themselves. And they feel very insecure at speed, coasting or with an instructor supporting the bike, which makes it harder for them to practice alone, as you really can't pedal a bike at walking speed until you're proficient.

Urk. Not feeling like a very good instructor at the moment.

Have you considered lowering their seats so that they can plant both feet firmly on the ground right from the seat? It will hinder their balance and make the progress slower, but they might need this security to even get started.

If you already did this, then I really don't know what else to suggest :/

Yes, we've already done this. The problem is that of the 12 bikes we've been given, only 4 of them are small, and the remaining 8 are too big for most of the participants. Even the smallest bikes are a bit too tall for the smallest women to be able to put both feet flat on the ground.

Two women have actually brought childrens mtb-style bikes, and have had success with them. The problem with them again is that the bars are quite low, but for some having a small bike was the key. I'll have to ask if they would consider lending them around, but I hesitate to ask when they've only just cracked the code themselves :-)

2 of us instructors have brought altogether 4 of our own bikes, but for beginners a regular size mtb without a low step-in frame is quite daunting. The most experienced ones have had fun riding them, though.

Still, lph it must be satisfying to see some of your adult students cycle for the first time.

Oh, it is! And they're thrilled :-)

You’re at somewhat of a disadvantage because of the bikes you have available. That makes it more difficult for you! Make sure those students having the most problems have the bikes with the shortest seat height to get their feet on or mostly on the ground. For those who you have to hold the back of the bike for ALWAYS tell them before you let go of the bike to build trust!

For balance I found that I had more success when I got the student to focus and especially relax before starting off. I encouraged them to follow a procedure of sitting on the bike, both feet on the ground and handbrakes on. Looking ahead to where they are going, consciously relaxing the upper body, releasing the brakes and go while keeping their eyes looking ahead.

For those having problems and getting discouraged reassure them that that’s normal, finding balance can be something that just takes more practice. Keep giving encouraging feedback!! That helps your frame of mind too :)

Thanks Rebecca, I appreciate it! Next session is today, and I'm already (mildly) dreading making no progress. Which is really stupid, because I know full well that learning a balance skill as an adult takes time and trust and practice, and they may well be making progress "inside their heads" when it comes to confidence and acceptance of a new situation, even though they aren't making much outwardly visible progress.

Ah, I took the easy way out today ;-) I took the group with the most proficient riders, and got to work with the easy-peasy stuff, while the two others did a lot of support on the others. And yay! I think everyone is now actually getting there. maybe not riding all alone yet, but progressing to the point where they can partially handle the bike by themselves, and work on balance. Having itty-bitty bikes available was key, just to start with.

Deep down my frustration is probably an ego thing. I would like to be the one who just "makes it all happen", ya know... but it just doesn't work that way. ;)

So, in answer to my own question: "how do you teach an adult to ride a bike?" I'd say: Put them on a really small bike. And don't move up until they feel confident.

y'know ... I think my experience with handstand is comparable. I learned to balance rightways up as a child and don't remember much about the experience, which is why I didn't think I had anything to contribute to this thread, but learning to balance upside down is something I never could get as a child, and only learned a couple of years ago.

The first time I went into handstand my yoga teacher held my legs and I was so terrified I literally shrieked. It's still very slow progress getting my heels off the wall ... I think my PR is six seconds :p ... but before I hurt my shoulder I was plenty comfortable in headstand in the middle of the room, and I can go up into handstand at the wall pretty much effortlessly. It really was an ah-ha moment when I felt my body in balance. I think having the courage to try until they get that ah-ha is something they'll need to find within themselves, but it sounds like you're doing what you need to, to help them on their journey ...