Why You Should Learn to Ride a Bike as an Adult
If you never learned to ride a bike as a kid, you're far from the only one, and it's not too late. Adults learn to ride all the time, and in New York City there has never been a better network to ride on.
Lots of New Yorkers already ride, and the city keeps building for it
NYC DOT reports that 28% of adult New Yorkers (about 1.8 million people) ride a bike, and that there are over 620,000 cycling trips on a typical day in the city. It also reports a 64% increase in daily cycling between 2013 and 2023, based on American Community Survey data. The bike network now covers 1,550 lane miles, and 99% of residents live within one mile of it. (NYC DOT)
In other words, learning to ride puts one more way of getting around the city within reach, and it is probably nearer to your front door than you think.
Adults can learn, and the research agrees
A 2024 study in PLOS ONE tested whether adults who had never learned to cycle could be taught using a balance bike, the same tool often used with children. In the second phase of the study, 11 adult non-cyclists completed eight 20-minute training sessions, and all of them were able to cycle independently on a pedal bike afterwards. The authors concluded that it is never too late for adults to learn. The study was small, so treat it as encouraging evidence rather than a guarantee. (PLOS ONE)
The researchers highlighted principles such as building confidence, gliding to turn and focusing on riding speed. That fits with the balance-first approach we use in our Adult Beginner bike lessons: you start by scooting with your feet down and add pedals once you feel steady.
Riding a bike is a practical way to be more active
The CDC says adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, and that some physical activity is better than none. (CDC) In a large UK Biobank study published in The BMJ, about 90% of people who cycled to work met current physical activity guidelines, compared with 51% of people who commuted without active travel. (The BMJ) That study is observational, so it shows an association rather than proving cause and effect. Still, it shows how easily riding can fit into a normal day.
We cover the research in more detail in the health and mental benefits of cycling.
Once you can ride, the city opens up
Being able to ride means you can use bike lanes, greenways and park loops, and it means you can try Citi Bike. Citi Bike requires riders to be 16 or older. (Citi Bike) Many people tell us they want to ride to work, explore with friends or keep up with their kids. A few lessons get you from nervous to comfortable. If you already ride but traffic intimidates you, read why riding skills matter in NYC.
What to expect from an adult beginner lesson
- A private, one-on-one 60-minute lesson with a bike and helmet provided.
- A quiet, car-free spot such as a park path or greenway, so there is no traffic to worry about.
- A balance-first method with no training wheels, then starting, stopping, steering and braking.
- No judgment. Lots of first-timers feel nervous, and that is completely normal.
Adult Beginner lessons are $150 for 60 minutes, or $420 for a 3-lesson package. See all bike lesson prices, including group lessons for friends who want to learn together.
Sources
- Chow & Ha, PLOS ONE 2024: Positive skill transfer in balance and speed control from balance bike to pedal bike in adults
- CDC: Adult Activity: An Overview
- Celis-Morales et al., BMJ 2017;357:j1456: Association between active commuting and incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality (UK Biobank)
- NYC DOT: Bike Network and Ridership
- Citi Bike Help: Tips for riding safely