I am looking for an affordable place to get few bicycle riding lessons for an adult (not me) in 30s around Melbourne CBD or South Eastern suburbs.
First few lessons on balancing etc would be fine as I have already got a set of adult learning wheels. But I couldn't teach the basic steps yet, so help from a professional would be better.
I am also thinking on getting a small fordable bicycle as well thinking it would be helpful than a 21" mountain bike. Any recommendation ?
^ This, especially with kids too, training wheels are the Devil!
Fantastic idea…I might try this with my child who is reluctant
For kids, get a proper balance bike, as they're built for gliding. Good ones will be nice and light. There are plenty for sale second hand since kids grow out of them quickly so you don't need to spend a fortune. Most are for kids up to 4 years old but you can get some bigger ones that can suit kids up to 6 (but harder to find).
Can also just remove pedals/lower seat on their normal bike but normal bikes are usually a lot heavier so harder to turn quickly or pick up and keep riding if they fall.
100% this
my kid learnt to ride in like a day doing exactly this.
set of adult learning wheels
I'm wasnt even aware these were a thing (or why they would be a thing)
This is exactly how my teen learnt via specialist classes. 3 lessons, pro.
In Adelaide it was Ride a Bike Right. Have a look and it'll give you a comparison for Melbourne services
driveway
some gives u a push
hope for a soft landing at the end
thats how i did it as a kid lol
hope for a soft landing at the end
And no traffic at the end?
go the other way! o.O
roller doors have a bit of cushion.
to turn right you need to turn left then go right
how do you turn left?
Turn left (and go right) 3 times.
Netball courts. No Training wheels.
NO, the surface is way too HARD!!!!
Only if you fall. If you are gliding along, it’s a good wide open area with a smooth surface and few obstacles.
If you don’t turn too sharp or go too fast and can put both feet on the ground while seated risk of falling is quite low.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7GKK3liv8M
Great video of a popular middle aged youtuber learning to ride a bike for the first time. Might provide some inspiration.
Folding bike probably isn’t a great idea. Generally speaking, they aren’t very good to ride.
Bigger wheels will provide more rotational mass, therefore be easier to balance.
If you want to get a cheap learner bike, just get one you can lower the seat enough to have both feet flat on the ground so you can scoot around getting used to balance.
The best way I've discovered for kids (and probably adults) is to find a decent grassed hill and simply focus on going down.
Gravity will give you enough momentum to maintain balance, but you can also practice pedalling without the need to do it to maintain speed.
Worked wonders with my four year old or whatever he was at the time, and definitely quicker to actual riding than via the training wheel method.
I also recommend the first comment that's listed about removing pedals, lowering seat and learning to glide. But I understand that not everyone wants to take on the role of teaching someone to ride.
Here's a link to a cycling trainer that we've used for running community bike skills courses - Cazz is great and based in Melbourne's east.
http://www.bikeitbetter.com/learn-to-ride-a-bike.html
As for the 21" mountain bike, I think most bikes these days go with a S/M/L sizes. Here's a pretty good size guide:
https://www.bikes.com.au/bicycle-size-guide
And for affordable, I recommend to most people to spend at least $500 on a new bike. You get what you pay for with cheap bikes, and a cheap bike generally uses cheap parts that will wear out pretty quick if you start doing a decent bike of riding.
Other option is gumtree or bike exchange
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/
how do people that age have never ridden a bike?
Not born in OZ?
I would take a bike to a park that has lush grass that is not hard if you stack the bike (aka fall off) and you will for the first 20 minutes.
Make sure you wear a helmet.
At the park push the bike jump on and try to ride. Keep doing it until you get it and then try to balance so you can ride at least 50 meters in a circle and if all goes well you will have a few bruises on your elbows and potentially on your knees. Worst case you may have some skin torn off your feet, but it will grow back.
Thank guys for all your ideas. I will share this thread :)
They don't need lessons. Take the pedals off and lower the seat, scoot along by pushing with feet on the ground. Get used to gliding. Glide further and further, get used to going around corners. When that is mastered, raise the seat, put pedals on and try pedalling. Better to learn to balance first pedal second, rather than pedal first balance second (which is what happens if you use training wheels).