Why Can’t You Ride A Bike Anymore? 10 Common Reasons

We’ve all heard the phrase that says anything easy is like learning to ride a bike. This is because although learning this skill can take time, it is one thing many people still remember after many years. But what do you do when you can’t remember how to ride it anymore?

Here is why many people may choose to stop riding their bikes:

• lack of practice
• fear of injuries
• worry about traffic
• incorrect bike size
• lack of confidence
• bad riding weather
• lack of routine
• fear of technical issues
• lack of focus
• biking is not for you

In this article, we will take the time to explore the common reasons that can impact your ability to ride a bike. Additionally, we’ll take a look at some of the ways that you can get back into riding and gain your confidence back! So keep reading and let’s get started!

10 Reasons Why You Can’t Ride A Bike Anymore

Even when you have been using a bicycle for a while, being able to ride it well is a skill that takes lots of time. Bikes are excellent exercise, and offer a cost-effective and sustainable form of transport for people – so if you can’t ride one anymore, here is what might be happening:

You Are Out Of Practice

For most of us, our fondest memories involve taking our bikes out for a ride every single day. While this can still bring us joy when we remember it, it can be much harder to replicate the experience in this day and age. After all, a lot of people are so busy.

In the fast-paced life of the world today, it is common not to have the time to practice riding a bike. This is an extremely common reason why many people would hesitate to remember the act needed to ride a bike. So if you have been struggling, it may just be down to a lack of practice.

You’re Scared Of Injuries

If you weren’t always comfortable on the wheels as a kid or an adult, it is reasonable that you may feel worried that you will fall off the bike and really hurt yourself. This can especially be true for adults who experienced some kind of serious fall from a bike when they were younger.

It is understandable that this experience can cause someone to worry about getting on a bike, but you have less to worry about as an adult. Not only do you have better motor skills, but you also have far better balance, and can even use accessories or special bikes to keep you upright.

You Live In An Area With Too Much Traffic

As an adult, your primary motivation for biking is probably to cover your transport costs to work. If you biked as a child, you probably did so in a safe neighborhood area, and not through major traffic when out and about on the roads – and heavy traffic can be pretty dangerous.

This is especially the case when you live in regions where there aren’t specific bike lanes on the road. That, along with a lack of confidence in your skills and control can be a major deterrent for many people. However, some training can go a long way in improving these skills.

You’re Using The Wrong Bike

Sometimes, we can underestimate what goes into the process of getting ourselves a bike. As you may already know, adults cannot use children’s bikes for riding, and when you get a new bike, you will want to get one perfectly tailored to you and your needs.

Investing in a good bike that fits your body type and weight can go a long way, allowing you to ride comfortably and have greater control over the bike. Otherwise, you may struggle even with the things you have the skills and motor functions for.

You Don’t Feel Confident Riding In Public

As with any new skill you are learning, while you may be getting better at what you are doing, it is natural that it will take time to build confidence. And one of the scariest parts of that process can be carrying out that action in front of other people, in public.

If you haven’t ridden in front of people before, or in a long time, you may need some time to privately build up the confidence you need to take your bike out more. Luckily, you can always find people who are at the same skill level so you can keep practicing your bike riding habits.

The Weather Is Not Bike-Friendly

We don’t always live in the perfect weather for biking. To do this, the weather should be nice and sunny, and not rain all the time; however, if you live in a part of the world where you have to deal with constant rain, using a bike all the time can be very inconvenient.

Riding in the rain can be dangerous and, at best, extremely difficult because it is uncomfortable. Perhaps another form of exercise can be a better fit, or you can invest in methods that will help you stay dry even when you are on the road on your bike.

You’re Not Building A Specific Routine

Like any other habit that you are trying to make a permanent feature of your life, you need to stick to a routine to really get good at cycling. Doing so will give you the space to both improve all of your skills, and to adopt the habit enough that you can have higher confidence in it.

In this case, being consistent is one of the most important things to making a routine happen. You will need to develop the right skills to be able to stay safe on a bike, so it is always okay to get help when trying to make a routine stick. The best way to do this is to take some training.

You Don’t Want To Deal With Bike Issues

One other big reason why many people avoid getting on their bikes is that they are wary of the possible repercussions they will have to deal with. As a child, things are completely different after all – if you wreck your bike, you can just ask your parents to fix it.

As a grown-up, you will need to take care of any issues or technical problems by yourself. This can not just be frustrating, but it can also get pretty expensive if you have purchased a more pricey bike. However, modern bikes are far more durable, and there are ways to maintain the bike so you don’t have to navigate through issues so often.

You’re Not Focused On Biking

Focus is one of the most important parts involved in building up a new skill, especially as an adult. Think about it – we deal with so many issues as adults. From mortgages to bills, taxes, and much more, there is always somewhere else your mind can go.

If you are finding yourself drifting away whenever the time comes to get back on your bike, it is important to create a schedule that can enforce that you carry out the task. You can also use the time you are riding your bike for focus and meditation, to stay connected with ‘real life’ as you go.

You Just Don’t Enjoy Biking

Finally, if you can’t get yourself back into bike riding, there may just be the simple issue that you just don’t enjoy this activity. Not everything is for everyone, and while some people can have a lot of fun riding bikes, that does not mean it is a requirement.

It is completely okay to not want to ride your bike just because you don’t want to, and you can take your feelings on this matter seriously so you only commit to habits that bring you joy. The best way to know is to try it out and see how it makes you feel.

How To Get Back Into Bike Riding As An Adult

So – after the previous section, you now understand what is getting in the way of picking up bike riding as an adult. If that is the case, you can now move on to resolving this issue. As such, let’s take some time to discuss common techniques you can try to get back into it.

Get A New Bike

If you have been struggling, perhaps you can start fixing the problem by getting yourself a new bike. Using a bike you have grown out of, or one that is too worn out can make the experience far less fun. 

To get a new bike, always go to a professional bike shop and get someone who knows what they’re doing to measure you so you can get yourself a bike that is the perfect fit. Here’s a video on how to find a bike that is the perfect fit for you:

Take Your Time

One of the biggest problems that we face as adults is that we try to force ourselves into habits with too much on the line. 

However, like with any other habit, you need to give yourself time to feel safe, and comfortable, and have fun while you are riding your bike. By taking the pressure off yourself, you will make it much easier to get much further and have a lot more fun in the process.

Get Yourself A Raincoat

If you live in an area where rain is an expected part of the daily routine, you can make yourself safer on the street by wearing a raincoat to keep yourself dry. Additionally, there are plenty of companies that make clothes and accessories that are perfect in the biking context and can help you stay safe in bad weather. These are always worn over your normal clothes.

Don’t Be Afraid To Seek Help

For people who suffer from intense fear and anxiety about getting on a bike, there is no reason to suffer in silence. 

Whether you want to get back on a bike or not, there is no harm in getting the help of a professional to help alleviate some of your stress and anxiety regarding this specific trigger. With some time, you can likely see some improvement, and feel much safer.

Connect With Other Riders

If you are struggling to pick up the habit and need motivation, or if you learn better in a group setting, why not seek out other bike riders that can help you stay connected to this form of exercise? 

If you are interested in something like this, one of the best places to check is a local cycling club, which often also offers training and encouragement as you learn with your peers.

Choose A Different Time To Ride

As we mentioned above, there are many different people who may feel uncomfortable when they are on a bike during the day, because of all of the traffic that can cause unwanted stress while they are on the bike. 

In this case, try riding at night in areas that you know have low traffic. Just make sure you have the right headgear that can keep you visible to oncoming vehicles at night.

Choose Other Forms Of Cycling

There are many other types of cycling you can go for if you enjoy the act of being on a bike, but can’t go out for some reason. For example, exercise bikes can be stationary or recumbent, which allows you to do the work, get the same endorphin rush, and get fit. The only difference is that you will be carrying out all of this work in the same place.

Enjoy Yourself!

Finally, when you are trying to get back into bike riding, don’t forget that it is important to focus on enjoying yourself and having fun. If you force a habit, it will become a chore. Instead, a bike ride can be a great opportunity to connect with yourself in the present, be more in tune with all of your senses, and allow your fears and anxieties to flutter away.

Final Thoughts

While it may seem like you have forgotten how to ride a bike, the truth is that it can be easy to pick up the habit again. Just remember to take your time, and don’t forget about all of the secret tips that we have shared with you if your process of getting back into it just isn’t working for you!