How To Ride a Bike, For Adults

Most people learn to ride a bike as children, but some, especially millennials, got left behind. Now, classes for these bike-challenged grownups are popping up. Photo: J Barbush/RPA.

More from the Wall Street Journal:

[chloejones]

Shoutout to all the adults out there who still can't ride lol, we'll get there!!❤

[samaitch]

Who’s here because your dad didn’t teach you when you were younger 😢

[AraAra]

My parents couldn’t afford to buy me a bike so I was never taught as a kid. I have my own income and finally was able to invest in one. I’m 25 years old and I’m starting tomorrow; seeing vids like this give me confidence I’ll have it down in no time. Wish me luck!!!

[WallabeeDeviant]

Just learned this morning, took a couple of hours. I'm 26, btw.

[morphidae]

I'm just teaching myself how to ride a bike. I'm 34 years old and I have a very poor balance, and paralyzing fear. I'm also very analytical so I need to understand how things work before I can actually do it without failing. The thing that helped the most was watching a lot of videos. Then practicing balance first before trying to actually pedal. So let me break it down: First I spent couple of hours with the theory (my husband explaining, demonstrating step by step and million questions) then I started balancing myself and trying to stay calm (I have panic attacks due to childhood traumas with bike accidents) and getting used to the idea of just being there and learning how to keep balance, and just using the bike as a scooter of sorts. Now when I felt more confident on the balance situation I found easier somehow to be in a small slope (going up) and place my left foot on the pedal, then push myself with the right foot while keeping my eyes somewhere at the distance. I managed to ride successfully a few times. I will keep practicing as I need to gain confidence and more control, but I'm getting there. Please don't give up and set your mind to it. I watched many videos to understand how it works. For me things like "you'll feel it" or "you will know what to do when you're doing it" doesn't work for me at all, if I don't get some small detail I freak out and fail miserably. So try a different strategy: try to understand the logics and you will make it for sure!

[beastythunder]

Kinda glad other people still don't know how to ride a bike. I'm 18 and still don't know how to lol
Edit: I'm 22 now and i still don't know lol

[MrEL]

My mother learned to ride a cike at age 52, you can do it if you set your mind on it, everyone!

[Setratsetrit]

its now my 2nd day trying how to ride a bike..
its slow progress, but i will try and try until i can

[giselacadiz]

I'm 35 years old and i'm so excited about learning to ride a bike.
I hope i will do it!

[Setratsetrit]

update : i can ride a bike now, well not really good..
but i can balance the bike and ride it, feels good

[DawnKellyMedia]

I'm 44 and I'm just now learning! My husband is teaching me and it's been quite fun and we've had a lot of laughs. It's so fun! I'm so glad I'm not so weird and other adults are learning too!!

[sharamafiz]

I got my bike back in June as a birthday gift - I was so nervous of falling and looking silly but after several attempts and failures I’m proud to say I finally know how to ride a bike and it’s been such a meaningful way to get some exercise and being outdoors!

[BN]

To those who are adults and don't know how to ride a bicycle, don't worry too much about what others think, chances are they won't even judge you. If you never try to learn, then you'll be the one judging yourself every day for not knowing how to ride a bike. The worse thing that can happen is that someone looks at you learning to ride a bike as you're falling up and down. They'll think "wow that person is so old but still can't ride a bike!" Okay. So now what? That's pretty much it lol. They won't even remember you after 10 minutes so who cares?

[trws]

I recently learnt at 16. Even my teacher had made my fun saying “cycle bhi nhi aati kya?". I was very sad and decided to learn it. And I bought a bicycle and tried lot hard. And I learnt in 2 days. And now feeling great.
All I want to tell you is this *“If I can do, anyone can do this".

[mikulucreative_mikucrea]

There is nothing wrong about learning when you are old ma'am, there is no rules in bicycling that it was made to learn when you are a child, it's like learning motor bike is a must or learning how to ride a horse is a must, it's just some people were not interested in learning those things in earlier ages, so don't feel uncomfortable with that, keep going, you will get there.

[HimadriG]

Absolutely. It' been 3 days I am trying to learn bicycle. I have nailed it with conviction. It took me two days to master the art of balance and I am still looking to fine tune my ride. All the best to all the adults.

[locutz]

I thought I was the only grown dude that don't know how to ride a bike I'm glad now lol

[LIVEINPEACE]

Cool, I was excited for all of them. I hoped the lady who fell didn't give up! 👍

[alreadydone]

waah..i want to do it too..but i'm too shy to do it at the park

[yobmas]

I'm 23 and just learned to ride a bike today!! :)