A beginner’s guide to cycling

03 Aug 2016

As the saying goes, it’s as easy as riding a bike. But what if you’ve never actually ridden one, and you’d love to pedal the pavement? Here are some handy tips. Biking can be a wonderful source of exercise and an environmentally-friendly mode of transportation (if you’re brave enough to cycle on the roads), but there are some elements that you need to consider if you’re over the age of 50.

Choose wisely For anyone, choosing the right bicycle is essential. The first thing to consider is how you will be using the bicycle – is it for exercise, pleasure or transport? Also, what is most important to you – speed, comfort, style or ease of riding?

You will also probably need to think about the terrain you’ll be riding on. If it’s likely to be rocky, this will change the type of bike you’ll need to purchase.

Be confident Even if you’ve never sat on a bicycle before, as the saying goes, fake it ‘til you make it. You need to be confident in your coordination and your ability to balance. Remember, this may not happen overnight but it will happen. Also remember, children learn with training wheels to develop the right movement and motor skills. You may not have that luxury. There is plenty you can do to ensure your confidence levels stay high. To start off, practise in a safe environment. If you have quiet streets around your home, those can be perfect for learning the ropes. Also, make sure you are highly visible and of course, safe. Wear reflective clothing, even when it’s not dark and always wear a helmet.

It’s not like steering a car One of the most important things to remember when starting out is that steering a bike is not like steering a car. Intuitively, to turn a corner, novices will turn the handlebar. While this is true at slower speeds, the faster you are going, the more your body will dictate the direction of the bike. And don’t worry, you’re not going to fall off, as long as you move with the bike, not against it. 

Know the riding etiquette Just like there are rules for walking on the street and driving in traffic, there is a riding etiquette when it comes to cycling. 

First, signal when you are going  to turn. This is a safety precaution as well as just good manners.

Second, abide by the laws of the road.

Third, ride to the side. If there is no bicycle lane on the road, it’s always safer to ride on the side, but still slightly in the road. This way you are visible to the traffic. And finally, stay off the sidewalks. While it may be tempting to stay on the safety of the footpath, those are for pedestrians, not vehicles. ••