Ireland’s new love affair with cycling means more adults are getting back in the saddle.
“It’s as easy as riding a bike” is one of life’s greatest falsehoods. If you’ve never done it before or you haven’t gotten on a bike since you were six, there’s nothing easy about it. But if lockdown taught us anything, it’s that the freedom to move about on your own terms is worth risking a few scraped knees or minor embarrassment. With that in mind, here are a few pointers to help get you going:
WEAR A HELMET. Good habits start on Day 1. It’s unlikely you’ll need a helmet to cushion your fall as you learn – you won’t be going that fast – but if you start wearing one every single time you get on your bike, you’re less likely to forget when you’re up and running.
GET YOURSELF SOME WHEELS. Not all bikes are made equal. Road bikes are fast and easy to pedal, but not ideal if you’re planning to go off -road. A mountain bike is slower on pavement but have a cushioned ride and are best on a variety of surfaces. Hybrid bikes off er the best of both worlds. Before you spend all your savings on a top of the range model, borrow one to get to know what you need from your bike. Visit your local bike shop for advice.
PUT THE BRAKES ON. Learning to brake properly is how you’ll prevent falling off. Before you start trying to cycle, practice using the breaks until it becomes second nature and you feel confident you can come to a stop when you need to.
START COASTING. Find a wide open surface like an empty car park or quiet cul-de-sac. Put your feet on the ground, ignore the pedals and just start to walk/ride by pushing off with your feet. As you gain speed, raise your legs up so you’re balancing with your upper body. There’s no rush, so do this in your own time.
PEDAL POWER. Once you’ve gained confidence, rest one foot on a pedal and coast or push with the other as though you’re riding a scooter. Keep doing this until you build up the confidence to lift your other foot to the second pedal. Pedal fast to keep the momentum to stay balanced.
RESPECT THE ROAD. Keep practicing your skills along park pathways until you’re confident in your skills. Make sure you’re familiar with laws, hand signals and riding safety tips that apply specifically to bikes. Visit cycleright.ie for cycle safety and skills training resources.