Learn to Ride--Adults

Course ContentAdult Class ScheduleRegisterWhat Participants Are Saying

Course Content: This class teaches a safe, easy, effective way to learn to ride. Participants learn the basics of balancing, starting, stopping, and steering a bike. Most people learn to ride their bike while taking the class, but even if they don't, they will leave with an easy, hands-free, crash-free, and low-stress way to learn to ride.

Requirements: photo: BNY fleet All cyclists must wear a helmet and have a bicycle that fits and is in good working order (i.e., wheels spin freely, brakes function). You can either bring your own or borrow a bike and helmet while supplies last from Bike New York; just indicate your needs when you register. You must be able to rest your feet flat on the ground while sitting on the bicycle seat. For adult classes, participants must be at least 18 years old. (Younger cyclists may take a Kids class with their parents.)

Adult Class Schedule: No upcoming classes are scheduled. Please check back for new dates.

Registration Details: Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. No day-of-class walk-ins.

photo: Summer Streets classes

What Participants Are Saying:
  • "Thanks again for the class yesterday. Everyone was so supportive and patient! I'm really close to being able to ride and am so excited. It's something I have been wanting to do for a long time. I am really proud of my progress thus far!"--November 2008
  • "Just wanted to thank you guys for starting me on skill I will have for a lifetime. I participated in your adult bike riding class this summer. I always wanted to learn but never got the chance. Thank you to your excellent teachers who showed me techniques and taught me to get over my fear of falling down. I bought a bike the following week and started really riding on my third try. Thanks a lot! There's one dream under my belt."--September 2008
  • "Once again, I want to thank you and all the staff and volunteers. Personally, I has an excellent experience. It was well beyond the concept of learning to ride a bike. It was a community building effort."--August 2008

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photo: Adults learning to balance
Whether you're 18 or 80, it's not too late to learn to ride. As one recent participant wrote afterward, "Extremely helpful techniques plus the positive attitude and supportive energy from the marshals made it a great experience."


If you can't make it to a class, click the play button to watch this video (3:58) about a kids class from a news package created for NYU Tonight by journalism grad student Adam Rose. You can also follow the instructions in our learn-to-ride guide (PDF). The easy, "balance-first" method works for adults and children alike.