My neighbor, in her mid-60s, has asked me to help her learn how to ride a bike again. She does not own a bike but says she rode as a child - heavy bike with coaster brakes. She rented a bike a few years ago to try but says it was very heavy and that "she had trouble with it." I assume she rented a beach cruiser type (she wanted coaster brakes) that didn't fit and as you could imagine, it was hard to pedal, steer, and control.
So I'm trying to find a smaller hybrid that she might borrow for the purpose of seeing if she likes it. My thinking that it would still be lighter than the beach cruiser, but it does have the added complications of hand brakes, and gears.
This woman is not atheletic, but does walk a couple miles each day with her dog. I told her that while she was "learning" she would probably fall and that everyone does. She is afraid of hurting her back which apparently gives her some discomfort. I don't know the nature of the back pain.
So clearly she needs a lightweight, upright bike. Is it too much to learn hand brakes and gears after not riding at all for probably 50 years? I am reluctant to push her into this level. I can see her riding around the neighborhood, to the pool, perhaps to the beach (1 very congested mile). But even if she turns out to like cycling, I don't think she would ever be a roadie, or doing rides over 5 miles long.
Is it really "just like riding a bike?" Will this ability come back to her? and should I be concerned about liability in the event she falls and is hurt?