Cycling: it is never too late to start
Not everyone can ride a bike – or is confident. With cycling becoming the top choice for commuting for many, the number of adults learning how to cycle has increased. Figuring out where to start can be daunting for those who have never even sat on a bike, but also for those who want to improve their skills riding on the streets. Here are a few ways to improve your cycling skills and confidence.
Take a course
A good place to start is your local council, or TfL if you are in London. Many put on cycling courses for complete beginners, or experienced beginners, and offer refresher training for adults who may be confident cyclists but need a reminder on best practice. There are also other organisations offering free training throughout the country.
Try cycling in a park, quiet and pleasant and perfect for practice. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA
Visit a park
Take your bike (or one you have borrowed) to a park or quiet area with traffic-free paths. This can make learning the simple mechanics of riding a bike and balancing much easier. It’s important to try riding while signalling, checking over each shoulder before merging right and left, and stopping quickly. All of these skills will help you be a confident cyclist.
Keep practicing
Taking your bike out to the quiet park paths for a test ride is also good for experienced riders who may be learning to ride with clipless pedals or on a new style of bike. Both can take you a while to get used to, so make sure you are safe before you venture onto the roads.
Ask your friends for cycling tips. Photograph: Kathy deWitt / Alamy/Alamy
Ask your friends
If you have a friend who regularly commutes then don’t be afraid to ask them for some tips or even a lesson. If you offer to buy the coffee and cake after, most cyclists will take you up on a ride! Having a friend to talk about your concerns and help you with specific difficulties can be a big help and confidence booster.
Take a try
Maps are handy to pick the best route. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian
While your parents might have always told you, “don’t go play in the road” there are benefits to getting out there, and riding on the streets. First, plan your trip. Maybe a trip to the shops or somewhere in your neighbourhood – pick a short and straightforward route and get on google maps or mapometer to plan it. A route with less traffic, limited right hand turns, and residential areas will be easier to tackle for your first few trips.
Leave plenty of time
Rushing and cycling do not go together and it is infinitely safer and more enjoyable if you do not have to rush around getting your kit together and pedal like a maniac through the streets to get to your appointment or desk on time. Leave yourself plenty of time so that you can stop and properly assess junctions or even pause to calm down a little if it gets a bit much.
Acknowledge your fear
It’s OK to be scared when you are trying something new. A bit of fear and adrenaline are perfectly normal. But fear shouldn’t be inhibiting, and acknowledging you have done the work required to get to this point can help calm the nerves.
Cyclists participate in the Sky Ride bike event in Liverpool, England. Photograph: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images
Join a club
Surrounding yourself with like-minded and similarly able cyclists is a great way to put your new cycling skills into practice. Many will have weekly (or more frequent) group rides for all abilities, from beginners through to the super speedy.
... or a big group
British Cycling organises Sky Ride to get more people involved in cycling and their rides are available for all abilities and ages. Sign up for one of their free local guided or social rides and use the opportunity to work on your cycling skills and discover a new route.
How to mend a bike is a key skill for a cyclist. Photograph: Alamy
... and learn new skills
For women there is the Breeze Network that plans guided rides for all abilities of women looking to get out on their bikes. In addition, they offer a one-stop-shop of resources to help you fix your bike, find a bike shop in your area, or even find a friendly cycle trainer to boost your skills.