It's a big fat lie!!!

[Shortie]

OMG this struck a chord with me.. I discovered a few years back that I too can't ride a bike any more... mind you, I was never totally comfortable on a bike when I was little, I just didn't want to miss out on what my mates were doing

it's just a case of re-gaining your confidence.

I think you've hit the nail on the head her Snadg

[FoxHillGardener]

Try googling "cycle training" and your location. Lots of local authorities offer subsidised or even free classes to help you get your confidence back. Usually you practice somewhere away from traffic gthen the instructor takes you out in traffic to help you with road sense.

London Boroughs definitely do it and Transport for London does good maps for those of you in London.

Cycling | Transport for London

Also their journey planner also lets you pick cycling as an option for any specifc journey you want to do

[srodders]

King Ken is certainly one to encourage cycling. Not sure of his idea to get all cyclists registered and displayed their reg. number though.

I got back into cyling after a 15 year gap and found it difficult at first, even though I'd been on a motorbike for that time (not constantly!!). Wobbled all over the place. Wouldn't be without one now.

They say as long as you are doing over 20mph you will be very stable.

[Two_Sheds]

They say as long as you are doing over 20mph you will be very stable.

That's a tad ambitious
15mph is going at a good clip. You're likely to average about 10mph (which is still faster than a car's average speed in London).
I only get over 20mph if I'm going downhill with the wind behind me.

[Seahorse]

20 mph

I don't intend cycling on the roads btw. I'm sure I'll get my confidence back well enough to be reasonably safe but there are too many idiot drivers for me to feel happy about it. Luckily I can get almost all the way to the lottie on a paved cycleway and an 'access only' back road that has hardly any traffic.

[Nicos]

By the end of the summer you'll be cycling along with a bucket dangling from one handlebar and a full plastic bag off the other, a rucksack on your back and a fork and spade strapped behind the seat

You'll be wondering how on earth you could be wobbly now

[Seahorse]

Lol Nicos! I hope so!

[srodders]

I was cycling down the coast road one day last summer and came to one of the hills. I thought how fit I must have got as I was doing 25mph UP it, and over 30 down the other side. It was only when I came to cycle back the other way that I realised how strong the wind was - I could only manage 15 going DOWN on the way home!!

[HeyWayne]

Like Sarzwix my Ma hadn't ridden a bike for years (I'd never seen her on a bike in my lifetime, and I was 29-30 at the time), so we took my parents to Centre Parcs and got Mum on a bike. She was a bit wobbly at first, but once she got going she was fine. I think confidence is the biggest thing definitely.

Don't put any added pressure on yourself, just get yourself a nice open space (away from roads/paths) and you'll be pedalling away before you know it.

[OverWyreGrower]

I can't even ride a bike!

I had a horrible acident on one when I was about 9 years old and have never regained my confidence...

I'm even ashamed to admit that I can't even sit on an exercise bike (that is bolted to the floor) without wobbling off.....

Shanks' pony all the way here!

[SueA]

I'm rubbish on a bike too. I tried riding one a few years back up the moss near here, away from the traffic & when I eventually got going I couldn't manage to stop without slamming my feet down & I wobbled all over. I was never much good at it when I was little either & flew over the handlebars, over a wall & into someone's garden once! I think if you practice somewhere quiet & get into the swing of it again you'll be fine.