How do you teach an adult to ride a bike?

[brigada]

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 :/

[lph]

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.

[shootingstar]

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

[lph]

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

[rebeccaC]

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

[lph]

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.

[lph]

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.