Tips on How to Ride a Bike
Do you dream of being the next Robbie Hunter? Or even South Africa’s answer to Lance Armstrong?
It’s not impossible. Riding a bike is actually quite easy. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be on your way in no time.
Just remember this: you may not succeed straight away. It may take a day, a week or even a month! The most important thing is that you just don’t give up. It’s true what they say: practice makes perfect.
- Ask Mom or Dad to lower your seat until your feet touch the ground. Wear your cycling helmet.
- Find a nice, grassy hill that isn’t too steep.
- Go half-way up the hill. Ask somebody to hold onto the bicycle while you get on. Put both your feet on the ground.
- Lift your feet a little and freewheel down the hill. Try to balance. Put your feet down if you get scared.
- Try again, but keep your feet off the ground a little longer. Keep on going until you can keep your feet off the ground altogether.
- Once you can keep your balance, put your feet on the pedals and freewheel down again. When you feel comfortable, try to pedal.
- Once you can pedal without effort, raise your saddle a little and try again.
- Now you can even start using your brake. Remember to pull both brakes at the same time or just the back brake. Ask Mom or Dad to show you how.
- When you feel ready, practice riding in a straight line, stopping and turning. Do this on a flat piece of grass or an empty parking lot or a very quiet street.
- When you are more confident on your bike, take short rides with a few of your friends.
