If you actually read the OP, I don't think it's at all clear that OP has any interest in ever riding outside.

There's definitely no request for ideas on how to get started riding outside, just a question about learning skills indoors. I think that's been definitively answered: you can ride indoors for fitness but you won't learn riding skills.

laychris do you have any interest in learning to ride outdoors?

Not true. As I stated earlier, it is possible to actually ride (not just spin) a bike indoors. I've done it in my production shop and warehouse many times. Be warned, cement floors can be slippery. Extra skill set! I once had a co-worker jump on my bike indoors, then proceed to wipe out on a turn and mangle up my brake lever.

One could set up obstacles to improve bike handling skills. Heck, even ramps and such. Many stunt riding competitions are held indoors. One could become a pro at this and never pedal a bike outdoors.

But yeah, unless the OP returns, who knows what he's looking to do, or what he has issue with.

OK, you got me, I wasn't specific enough. OP was, though. The question was specifically about a "spinning bike". I guess you could carry one of those around an indoor track, but I don't think it will improve your bike riding skills. Might be a good weight training program, though.

I don't think riding on an exercise or 'spin' bike is a terrible idea - bikes generally just need to keep moving to stay upright, and once you have the muscle memory for turning pedals, being a confident rider is a short step away.

When OP is ready, find a way to carry (rack on front of a bus or back of a car, or inside a car) your bike to a path or trail without motorized traffic, then go for a short cruise.

This is a good idea. I am involved in bike safety instruction with our school district, and have worked with many 5th graders starting with the basics on the school grounds. I have also worked with several 5th graders who did not know how to ride a bike. The process is the same whether you are 6 or 60.years old.

We have started with a kids that have never been on a bike and after 2 weeeks they were able to complete the graduation ride around the community with the rest of their classs. This was all on city streets with busy highway crossings and many turns (about 4 miles). If you are starting from little or no bike riding ability, there is a basic exercise to get you started, and to build confidence

• Remove the pedals from your bike (right pedal right hand threads, left pedal left hand threads), and lower the seat so your feet touch the ground.
• Practice you balance and control by "scootering" along pushing with your feet. It is amazing how fast your balance will improve.
• This will not work well if you have coaster brakes, but if you bike is equipped with hand brakes it will also be good practice for stopping.
• Practice this until you feel confident about balance and stopping.

Now is the time to put the pedals back on. Getting started with pedals takes a little practice. Position your "power pedal" at the 2 o'clock position. This is the pedal that will give you some momentum as you start. Practice this until you are confident and can start with little wobble. Get your starting and stopping down and then try some of the suggestions in the earlier posts.

Good luck , and don't be surprised if you find bike riding addictive

I guess a good set of rollers at home, preferably with 4.5in cylinders. If you master a pair of rollers at home, you can master almost anything on outside pavement.

Rollers are useless for developing bike handling skills...OP needs to get outside and get the feel of what it's like to ride a bike in real world under different conditions..

Are you enjoying the ability to post links now that you've run up more than 10 posts?

I can ride outside when it's not sunny, but if the sun is out and my shadow is behind me it frightens me badly. When my shadow is in front of me I try to catch it and I am really fast. Like I can almost go 14.

So.... what are you thinking about Spring? 6 more weeks of winter or Spring starts now?

First 11 in less than 1 hr.

It appears to me that you are not taking our OP seriously. You should be ashamed of yourself. What is this forum for if not to lift up our brothers and sisters on two wheels?

The OP could buy a track bike and join up at his local velodrome. Learn bike handling away from the cars...

You can absolutely learn strong riding skills indoors.

https://raysmtb.com/

That ain't spinning!

I want that here!

Riding around in circles on the track would get boring really fast.....One thing that attracts me to cycling is the ability to go to places and see and experience different things outdoors. Riding around traffic is what develops real world cycling skills and awareness,, it's impossible to be a cyclist and not ride around cars.. The reality of cycling is that it's impossible to completely avoid traffic and cars. I think OP needs to forget about bikes and find a different hobby.

OP has a history of posting without responding to answers. Suggest we ignore

I have two younger brothers (I'm 70) who ride motorcyles, and they think I'm crazy to still ride on the road. One even said I should get one of those Peleton things and compete online or whatever. I told him that we enjoy the social aspect of group rides and coffee stops, etc. I asked him how much fun it would be for him to bolt his moto down to the garage floor, and sit out there for hours going nowhere. He told me I was being "snarky". 🤔

To one guy's comment about being hit by a car and discouraged his road riding, it had the opposite effect on me. In 2002, I was hit by a guy making a left turn into me. He caught my rear triangle, knocked me off the bike and destroyed a nice steel Bianchi. I was fine, with a few bumps and skinned areas. I could not wait to get a new bike, and start riding again. In 2011, I had another crash, self induced partly, when I hit a pine cone (they tell me), knocked myself out, concussion, broken arm requiring surgery, facial stitches, etc. My bike was fine. From the crash in late April till my first ride, July 4th (my Independence Day), I rode my wife's stationary bike in the patio. Boring. I can't imagine stationary bikes ever replacing a real road ride for me. My point is that you can sit inside and worry about worst case scenarios, or get out in the world and go for it. Incidents do happen, and are usually survivable. Its a learning experience, and better prepares you for a future where you can enjoy more "out time" on the bike. The wonderful biking experiences I've had over the past 50 years of cycling far outweigh the discomforts of incidents that I might have sat inside worrying about the "what ifs". If cycling is something you want to do, lots of good advice above, but you have to want to do it, more than you want to worry about consequences. Good luck, in whatever you try, but at least give it a try, or you will never know.

Edit: I didn't see the above post about the OP not responding to our posts. Maybe so, but some other reader/rider may have similar questions, and it might help him. If the OP is just trolling us, well, "Go play in traffic". 🤡

I agree. OP makes one post in each of the 11 threads and then disappears. Doesn't look like the OP is interested in any followup.

Cheers

..

Start in calm small roads until you get more confident. Understand that there is nothing you can do to avoid getting hit but all you can do is minimize the possibility. This way of thinking gave me the required courage.

My fear got me on a set of rollers. Now I use the Nero rollers from Elite that are interactive as well. Got me able to both develop balance and increase fitness to the point I felt more comfortable riding outside at reasonable times in low traffic areas with a mirror on my glasses.

Better yet, a RICH developed neighborhood. And get a GoPro for your helmet. That way when your bike is demolished by a soccer mom's minivan because she was texting with her tennis coach, you'll be able to buy a MUCH better bike!

I just went over my handlebars avoiding an e-scooter and broke my right hand. Been riding 40 years so I thought that I knew how to ride.

An indoor "bike" is definitely safer.

Learning to ride a bike indoors is somewhat analogous to learning to drive by using a simulator. While you can develop some skills and feel healthier, the only way to learn to ride a bike (or a car) is to practice doing it. Example 1: On a bike, you come to a hill and have to figure out how to do it. On a stationary bike, you can change the program. Example 2: On a stationary bike , you can stop without consequence. On a bike, if you stop too quickly you run the risk of ending up on the ground. Example 3: My typical ride is 40 miles and at the half-way point, I have 20 miles back. On a stationary bike, you can stop whenever you want. Example 4: On a bike you have to be aware of everything around you. On a stationary bike you can read a book.

But, how about letting me know why you want to go that route.