MHunter91

a while back i realised my friend couldnt ride a bike and i was like "SACRE BLEU" impossible! and invited him over to try and help, i noticed he doesnt trust the bike and tries to pedal and either leans too much and falls ( hes 15 so he catches him self) or he half pedals then falls, he recently got a new bike and me and my friend were gonna try and help him learn on friday, so i wanted to see if there are any tips from this forum on learning to ride

Herzlos

Lower the seat and take the pedals off, so it's like a large balance bike. Get him to "walk" the bike about for a while getting used to balancing, turning and stopping.

Then put the pedals back on and do the same thing but pedalling instead of walking. Then gradually lift the seat up to a better pedaling position.

SurferRosa

"That a boy. That a boy. Get your center. Get your center. How does that feel? Keep going. Keep going. Billy, keep your feet moving! You look great!"

.

jrg1244

Pedals off is the answer. Only other advice is find a gentle downhill and let them coast downhill with no pedals to get the feeling, as many times as they need to in order to get the feeling of balance. I'd bet a coordinated adult would learn in a matter of an hour or less.

downtube42

Motivated and coordinated person willing to fall down a few times? On a parking lot with a slight slope, 20 minutes.

KerryIrons

Yup. Same way I taught my grandkids only on little bikes. They were both riding at age 4.

Kedosto

Pfft! Take your friend to the top of the biggest, steepest hill in your neighborhood. Ditch him. He’ll come back; A) a bicycle rider. B) no longer your friend, or C) in a body bag.

In any case, he’ll either be a bike rider or he won’t matter anymore.

Pratt

Maybe elbow and wrist guards like inline skaters wear.

Iride01

Mountain and BMX style bikes are probably easier to learn on. Especially those that have the saddle low enough for you to just put your feet down. A road bike will be more difficult and a true Time Trial bike the most difficult to start out on.... all IMO.

sovende

LOL. If I remember correctly, that’s pretty much how my Dad “taught” me how to ride a bike! I think that I might have wanted training wheels but he would have no part of that. The alley behind our house took a bit of a downhill dive just past our place. My Dad held the bike upright while I mounted then he shoved me and the bike down the alley. I survived but did have to push the bike back up the hill. It was kinda steep . After that, I knew how to ride a bike!

cyclezen

ANd don;t forget to YELL at him "Look where you're going !!!', as he starts heading for a wall, bushes, parked car, dumpster...
Ride On
Yuri

Viich

Actually "Look where you want to go!"

kahn

I was probably 10 or 11. My cousin took me to a paved school field. He was behind the bike keeping me somewhat balanced. Over and over and when I finally had a hint, he let go and as was heading toward the cyclone fence I kept yelling stop the bike, stop the bike as I HIT IT. I was then a bike rider. It is interesting thinking about it, that really all it takes is that once getting balanced and the balance is there. Then comes the braking and handling.