How to Ride a Bike

Do you want to start cycling? Do you want to teach your children ? Many people grow up without learning, and many children are willing. If so, don't be shy; it is not difficult to learn to use one of the healthiest and most satisfying means of transport available! It just takes preparation, technique and courage to fall a few times.

Part 1: Preparing to ride a bicycle safely

Find a suitable location. 

To learn, you will have to be in comfortable, traffic-free terrain. Choose a flat surface, such as the driveway or home garage. If you don't have something like that, go to a parking lot or public park. Get off the bike a few times to get used to it.

• Try to start learning in a place with a little grass or gravel, which can cushion your possible falls. On the other hand, it can be more difficult to balance and pedal on such terrain.
• If you want to practice balance and uphill cycling, find places with slightly steep slopes.

Use the appropriate equipment. 

Knee pads and elbow pads are items that help protect your joints and skin from scratches, making them essential for cyclists. What's more, many people also like to wear long-sleeved shirts and jeans.

• Do not wear baggy pants and long skirts, as they can get caught in the parts and tires of the bicycle.
• Do not wear open shoes. Protect your feet from possible impacts against the bicycle or the ground.

Wear a helmet. 

It is an essential accessory for every cyclist, experienced or not. Accidents happen at any time and, as much as you can mend broken bones, thumps on the head are very common and leave permanent sequels.

• The ideal helmet is one that fits on the head and sits just above the eyebrows. It should also have tight security handles, but still allow the user to speak.
• Urban helmets, rounded and made of foam and plastic, are the most common. Buy something like that at sporting goods stores or online. 
• Road helmets are longer and have gaps where the air travels. They are also made of foam and plastic, but are most popular on roads or marathons. Buy something like that at sporting goods stores or online. 
• Helmets for young people (10-15 years old), children (5-10 years old) and babies (under 5 years old) are smaller versions of the other models, although the latter have more foam than the others.
• Mountain bike helmets and the like have visors and neck protectors (because of the ground conditions on the road)

Ride your bike during the day. 

You can also walk at night, but it is not ideal for people without experience. Remember that you will need time to learn how to balance yourself as, as you get used to it, the bike will turn in unexpected directions. Finally, at night, drivers may find it more difficult to see you on the way.

• If you have to cycle at night, wear light clothes, reflective stickers and headlights and flashlights.

Part 2: Getting on the bike

Start on a flat surface. 

It is easier to learn when you are stable in a garage, sidewalk, quiet street or park trail, for example. If you go uphill, it will be more difficult to balance and stop.

• If you cannot find a flat surface, at least try to start in a place with a little grass or gravel to cushion possible falls - although it is more difficult to move your bike on this type of terrain.

Adjust the bicycle seat.

Lower it until you can support both feet on the floor without getting up. That way, you'll be able to avoid falls while learning to balance yourself. Adults do not need training wheels, but children can use them (or buy modified bikes).

• If you want, remove the pedals from the bicycle so that they don't get in the way during this learning process.

Test the brakes.

 Find out how they work. Guide the bicycle by hand to the area where you will learn to walk (or, if you are teaching your child, ask him to guide you). Tighten the brakes to get used to the feeling and reaction of the bike and become more comfortable, as you will be able to make emergency stops when necessary.

• If the controls are on the handlebars, test them to see which one activates the rear wheel brake and which one activates the front one. If necessary, take the bicycle to a professional to change them. 
• When the rear brake is activated, the wheel will skid slightly; when you activate the front, the other wheel will be launched a little forward. 
• If the controls are not on the handlebars, it must be because the brakes are on the pedals themselves. To activate them, put force on the pedal closest to the rear wheel, as if you were going to turn it backwards. 
• If the bike has a fixed wheel and has not been modified, it will not have brakes. Instead of activating them, you will have to slow down gradually, pedaling less or throwing your body back while holding the pedals horizontally with your feet. 

Put one foot on the floor. 

Choose either side, but you may be more comfortable with the dominant side. A right-handed person, for example, can be on the left side of the bicycle. Lift your right leg, pass it on the bike and plant your foot on the ground. Hold it upright between your legs.

• Feel the weight of the bike between your legs and try to keep it balanced when you bend down. At this point, you will prevent the bike from falling while you get used to it (or help your child get used to it).
• Center your weight on the bike, evenly distributing it between the left and right sides. To do this, stand upright, without bending over.

Start taking momentum. 

Instead of pedaling, push yourself with your feet (or instruct your child to do so, if he is learning). Lift them up towards the pedals. While moving, keep the bike fully balanced. When it starts to fall, take it back and resume the momentum.

Look straight ahead. 

Subconsciously, every cyclist guides the bike towards obstacles when he sees something. Avoid this and concentrate on looking at the route you should take to avoid.

• Before you have complete control, take the bike wherever it wants to go. In the beginning, she will be turning sideways or going in circles. Leave it, while trying to maintain balance, instead of stopping. 

Start pedaling. 

Place one foot on the floor and place the other on the pedal, tilting upwards. Give impulse, put your foot loose on the other pedal and that's it!

• It's easier to keep your balance at high speed - just don't overdo it, or you could lose control.
• If you are helping a child learn, hold his or her waist to help maintain balance.

Get off the bike. 

Even if you are inclined to try to stop with your feet, it is best to practice using the brakes. Stop pedaling, concentrate your weight on the pedal below and tighten both controls. When the bike stops, get off the seat and place your feet on the floor.

• If you put your feet on the ground too soon while pressing the brakes, the bike will suddenly stop, but your body will still have momentum - which can launch you forward. 

Tips

• Relax your arms when learning to balance.
• Don't give up if you fall and get a little hurt. Use more protective equipment, but remember that you must practice more and more to get used to it and avoid accidents.
• You can also use a genital protector to prevent injury.
• If you are small, only practice under the supervision of a parent or guardian, who can help you balance.
• When you have a little more experience, try walking on the grass instead of the concrete. The falls will be less painful, but it will be more difficult to pedal and maintain balance.
• If you can't afford a helmet and a pair of gloves, try to learn to walk on the grass instead of concrete.
• If you are teaching your children, start with the bicycle that has the smallest wheels possible (like Barbie's bikes, for example) and invite more children to train as well. The little one will not get hurt when he falls slightly, and will even feel more motivated if he has company with other young people.
• Cycling with marches is more difficult, especially for those who have no experience. Smaller gears require less physical effort from the cyclist.
• The first and second gears are ideal for climbing hills and walking on flat surfaces. Larger gears, such as five, eight or complexion, are better for descents or for experienced cyclists, as each cycle generates more speed and makes movements heavier.
• Don't relax when you're on the road; pay close attention to drivers and other cyclists.

Warnings

• Follow local laws. Depending on where you live, you may have to wear a helmet and be prohibited from walking on sidewalks.
• Always wear a helmet to avoid thumping your head and knee and elbow pads to avoid scratches and fractures.
• Remember that running is dangerous. Follow the laws and road signs.
• Find out if, where you live, there is a minimum age required to ride a bike on the same car lane.
• Always walk in the same direction as the traffic, not the other way around. Thus, drivers will respect their lane.