How do you teach a 32yo to ride a bike?

[Thistle]

Well I thought some of you might have some ideas on this. One of the women at work wants to ride a bike but she's 32 and has never ridden before.

She's really keen to learn, but I wouldnt have the foggiest how to start her off

Do adults learning to ride start with trainer wheels? Or does she just start with a bike where she can put her feet on the ground and ride on grass til she gets her balance?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thea

[mimitabby]

i think putting her on a smaller bike is a great idea. I'm not so sure about grass, though, an empty parking lot or playground would be good.
Most people "get it" pretty fast..

good luck.

[BeeLady]

I've heard of adult training wheels, maybe your LBS knows about these. Be nice if you could rent them as new rider probably won't need them for long.

Does this person have any past activities that involved balance like skating, horse back riding, unicylces (just kidding)? If so, possibly you could skip the training wheels.

In a way it would be cool to get your first bike experience as an adult when you could really appreciate it! But its a shame she missed out messing around on bikes and exploring as a kid. Good luck to you both.

[Grog]

I agree with the too small bike. Like: really too small. Or rent a cruiser with flat-foot geometry (so she can put her feet directly on the ground).

Another idea I heard for kids and that could work well for adults is to take the pedals off (on a too-small bike with the saddle really low). Once they get the technique to push themselves around, lifting off their feet and keeping their balance for a few seconds, they're ready for pedals.

It goes without saying: a big piece of grass, and a very slight incline, will help.

A lot of smiling and patience and encouragement must help. I would be terrified, at my age (28) to be just learning to ride a bike when everyone else seems to have this skill.

[Bikingmomof3]

From personal experience, my first time on a bike was July of this year at the age of 37. I started on a comfort bike and literally learned in the cul-du-sac. No training wheels and no falls. It was not that difficult, I thought it would be awful. At first I was so slow. But I practiced and practiced and quickly got the hang of it. About 3 weeks later, I was bored with the comfort bike, sold it and now have my Trek 1000.

[alpinerabbit]

BF got "Bicycling" magazine while in the US, the current (November) edition has an article on teaching adults.

[mimitabby]

In a way it would be cool to get your first bike experience as an adult when you could really appreciate it! But its a shame she missed out messing around on bikes and exploring as a kid. Good luck to you both.

Since I can still remember the wonder and marvel of the first time I rode a two wheeled bike, i'd say the experience was not lost on me, as a 9 year old girl who was embarrassed and frustrated because i couldn't ride a bike like everyone else. it is one of my favorite memories that involves my father.