Learn to Ride--Adults
Course Content • Schedule • Register/Bike Reservation • Next Steps • What 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 as well as proper helmet fit and adjustment. Most people learn to ride their bike while taking the class, but even if they don't, they will leave with an easy, crash-free, and low-stress way to teach themselves to ride.
Requirements:
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 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 14 years old. Participants between 14 and 18 years old must attend with a legal guardian. (Cyclists younger than 14 may take a Kids class with their parents.)
You can either bring your own or borrow a bike and helmet while supplies last from Bike New York; see the Register/Bike Reservation section below for details. A variety of bike sizes, including some appropriate for small adults, may be borrowed.
All class dates and locations are subject to change. Please check back for updates. To host your own class, please submit an application.
Registration/Bike Reservation Details
All students must pre-register. There is no charge to attend a learn to ride class. However, there is a fee or deposit to reserve a bike for use in a class. Borrowing a bike? You'll register online. A variety of bike sizes, including some appropriate for small adults, are provided. Bringing a bike? Call 212-932-2453 x116.
Next Steps
Once you attend a Learn to Ride--Adults class and practice starting, riding in a straight line, and stopping with control, you may be ready to attend Bike New York's free Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 class.
The Savvy Cyclist class is intended for cyclists who are looking to improve their riding skills. A certain level of basic cycling proficiency is required in order to participate. We do not recommend heading straight into a Savvy Cyclist class shortly after learning to ride. Take time to practice cycling and put in some quality hours on your bike. Once you sense that you are riding with control (that is, you can ride in a straight line, start, and stop without wobbling or swooshing side to side) sign up for Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101.
If you are interested in private instruction, visit the League of American Bicyclists website to find a certified cycling instructor in your area.
Also consider paying it forward! Many of the volunteers who help you at a class started out on the student side of the handlebars. Find out how you can help others learn to ride here.
What Participants Are Saying
Course Content • Schedule • Register/Bike Reservation • Next Steps • What 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 as well as proper helmet fit and adjustment. Most people learn to ride their bike while taking the class, but even if they don't, they will leave with an easy, crash-free, and low-stress way to teach themselves to ride.
Requirements:
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 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 14 years old. Participants between 14 and 18 years old must attend with a legal guardian. (Cyclists younger than 14 may take a Kids class with their parents.)
You can either bring your own or borrow a bike and helmet while supplies last from Bike New York; see the Register/Bike Reservation section below for details. A variety of bike sizes, including some appropriate for small adults, may be borrowed.
| Date | Time | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 9/11 | 10:30 am - 5:30 pm | Governors Island Liggett Terrace Parking Lot | CHANGED. 3 sessions: 10:30-12:30, 1-3, 3:30-5:30 Special Times for Governors Island
Register > |
| Sun, 9/19 | 9:30 am - 4:30 pm | East River Park, east of FDR Drive between Williamsburg Bridge and East Houston St. and north of tennis courts, Manhattan [Map >] | 3 sessions: 9:30-11:30, 12-2, 2:30-4:30
Register > |
All class dates and locations are subject to change. Please check back for updates. To host your own class, please submit an application.
Registration/Bike Reservation Details
All students must pre-register. There is no charge to attend a learn to ride class. However, there is a fee or deposit to reserve a bike for use in a class. Borrowing a bike? You'll register online. A variety of bike sizes, including some appropriate for small adults, are provided. Bringing a bike? Call 212-932-2453 x116.
-
To Reserve a Bike:
- For most classes, the $35 bike fee must be paid by credit card when you register. This fee covers use of a bike for the class; it is not a deposit that gets refunded. A variety of bike sizes, including some appropriate for small adults, may be borrowed.
Reserve a Bike for a Regular Class
($35 Fee) > - Classes held at East River Park in Manhattan offer use of a bike for free thanks to a collaboration with Recycle-A-Bicycle and Partnerships for Parks. However, students who want to reserve a bike will be required to submit a credit card number and authorization for a $50 deposit when they register. This will guarantee your place in the class and help ensure that registrants show up. We will not process the deposit of participants who attend the class; your credit card will be charged $50 only if you do not show up to the class. Deposits from any no-shows will be used to help defray program costs.
Reserve a Bike for East River Park ($50 Deposit) >
- For most classes, the $35 bike fee must be paid by credit card when you register. This fee covers use of a bike for the class; it is not a deposit that gets refunded. A variety of bike sizes, including some appropriate for small adults, may be borrowed.
- Bringing Your Own Bike: The class is free for students who wish to bring their own bicycle. However, you still must register by calling Bike New York's Bicycle Education Program Associate at 212 932 2453 x116.
- Rain and Refund Policy: Learn to Ride--Adults classes are canceled in the event of rain; please check the Bicycle Education Program's Weather Hotline at 212 932 2453 x115 if in doubt. Those registered for a class that is canceled due to rain will be invited to attend a pre-scheduled make-up class within the same season (at no additional charge); possible make-up dates for 2010 are May 23, July 31, and September 26. Those unable to attend the alternate date(s) will forfeit their class fee. No refunds are available.
Next Steps
Once you attend a Learn to Ride--Adults class and practice starting, riding in a straight line, and stopping with control, you may be ready to attend Bike New York's free Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 class.
The Savvy Cyclist class is intended for cyclists who are looking to improve their riding skills. A certain level of basic cycling proficiency is required in order to participate. We do not recommend heading straight into a Savvy Cyclist class shortly after learning to ride. Take time to practice cycling and put in some quality hours on your bike. Once you sense that you are riding with control (that is, you can ride in a straight line, start, and stop without wobbling or swooshing side to side) sign up for Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101.
If you are interested in private instruction, visit the League of American Bicyclists website to find a certified cycling instructor in your area.
Also consider paying it forward! Many of the volunteers who help you at a class started out on the student side of the handlebars. Find out how you can help others learn to ride here.
What Participants Are Saying
- "Thanks so much, I couldn't tell you guys enough how grateful I am for the wonderful program you have and the skillful professionals that you are! I had a great time! Thank you for all your volunteers and all the people that make these bike lessons for adults happen! I am so very happy -- I am 60 yrs young, never learned to ride a bike and with your volunteer staffs' guidance, patience and instructions, I learned the same day!"--August 2010
- "I am 27 years old and I had never been on a bicycle until the class. This was something I always wanted to learn, but the more years that passed the more anxious I felt about the process of learning. Now I am really exited about cycling, and I am looking forward to the summer on wheels! I even inspired my older sister to learn!"--May 2010
- "I'm happy to report my wife learned to ride last Saturday !!! This was her first time riding in over 30 years. After MANY hours trying on her own unsuccessfully, she was riding about an hour into the class. This program is fantastic, and we are appreciative it exists."--May 2010
- "Just wanted to say how helpful the Learn to Ride course I took last summer was! I went from being 29 years old and never learning to ride to now riding all the time . . . so did a friend of mine who also attended. I now live in Long Island and it's great to actually be able to enjoy the Wantaugh Parkway bike path on a regular basis and all the other great riding spots I have in my area. Thanks again!"--April 2010
- "Just want to thank you for the wonderful teaching session today. 25 years after the first attempt, I finally learned how to ride a bike--in two hours! I think you have a great program."--May 2009
- "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 had an excellent experience. It was well beyond the concept of learning to ride a bike. It was a community building effort."--August 2008
