While it might seem funny that there are adults who don't know how to ride a bike, apparently there are people who are afraid to ride because of some childhood trauma. They're afraid, but they still want to try it.
The Bicycle Riding School in Somerville, Massachusetts, is the only place I've heard of that teaches adults how to get over their fear of falling off their bikes. Nearly 2,000 people have learned to ride bikes there in the past 20 years.
There are many bicycling clinics that teach adults how to safely ride in traffic or improve their skills in road racing or mountain biking. What the Bicycle Riding School does is teach adults how to get over their phobia.
A fear of falling and embarrassing themselves in front of others prevents many adults from learning to ride a bike, reported the Christian Science Monitor in a story about the bicycle school.
The teachers are Susan McLucas (20 years experience) and Amanda Gordon (10 years experience). They say that virtually anyone who puts their mind to it, and gives it the time it needs, can learn how to ride. Of 2,000 students, only 3 people couldn't do it.
Generally the lessons start with pedals removed from the bikes enabling the adults to coast down a hill. The program ends with a group bike ride on a bike trail for a picnic lunch.
As for learning about safe cycling techniques, the League of American Bicyclists has trained hundreds of League Cycling Instructors (LCI) across the US. They teach two levels of courses about road riding and another specifically about bicycle commuting. They also teach kids how to ride bikes.
The League of American Bicyclists website lists courses and teachers across the US.
Recent Comments