Age is no issue – even adults can learn cycling
Summer is the perfect season for cycling, but not everyone knows how to ride a bike. Cycling courses for adults held in Espoon keskus were an opportunity to learn cycling. A total of 50 people took part in the summer courses, which contributes to increasing the share of sustainable modes of transport in traffic in Espoo. However, the effects of the course do not stop there: the skill of cycling is often passed on to friends, children and other loved ones.
One course session lasted two hours. The courses were taught by cycling coaches trained by Helsinki Region Cyclists (Hepo). The coaches helped each cyclist personally, as learning happens at different speeds for everyone. The starting level of the cycling course participants also varied. Some learned to keep their balance during the session, others overcame their fears related to cycling. Many actually got on their bikes and rode them a little towards the end of the session.
Teaching adults how to ride a bike is in many ways similar to teaching children. Training wheels are no longer used; instead, the basics are practised with a kickbike. The pedals are removed from the bicycle, after which the cyclist takes small steps to find moments of balance without any support from their feet. A little downhill often helps to get enough momentum to find balance.
When the student can maintain balance for about five seconds without their feet, it is time to move on to practising pedalling. Students start by practising maintaining their balance on one pedal, after which they raise both their feet on the pedals. At this stage, courage and concentration are needed. Soon, pedalling will happen as if by itself!
New skill inspires
“I came to the course without any experience. Now I know how to ride a bike,” says Boluwaduro Odede after the course. Originally, she was interested in learning cycling because it is a basic skill that enables easy and independent movement: “Learning to ride a bike means that I am no longer dependent on buses or other public transport.” Boluwaduro plans to continue practising cycling independently.
Many come to the course without any previous cycling experience. Some have tried cycling as a child or at some other point in their life. Fear of falling is often an obstacle to learning how to ride a bike. For others, cycling was not possible as a child. Traditionally, cycling is not taught at school, so learning the skill depends largely on the opportunities offered at home.
Katri van Wensen came to the cycling course so that she could ride a bike with her child. Her child is also currently learning how to ride a bike. “I gained a lot of confidence in cycling during the course. I am now more able to maintain balance and pedal,” says Katri after her second session. She has attended two course sessions, and in the second session she was happy about her success: “The best part was the feeling of success!”
Both Boluwaduro and Katri were excited about cycling as a form of exercise. According to Katri, cycling is a good way to make exercise part of your daily life: you do not have to dedicate a part of your busy day to exercising when going from one place to another requires you to be physically active. Based on what people gain from the course, learning to ride a bike opens up new possibilities for both exercise and community spirit. This is particularly important, as cycling is a completely emission-free mode of transport that enables personal freedom of movement and promotes well-being.
The cycling courses for adults are part of the project Challenge Engine for Cities that develops solutions to the challenges of sustainable urban development in cooperation with companies, RDI actors and universities.
Text: Viivi Aliklaavu
