Learn to Bicycle At Any Age

Description

Personal coaching: Learn to Ride a Bicycle — At Any Age

You're never too old to learn to bicycle!

Proven method, patient coach

If you never learned to ride a bicycle, this one-on-one coaching will get you pedaling and shifting successfully. I have taught over 100 adults and kids ranging in age from 6 to 61. I offer this service by appointment in San Francisco and in other locations (including the S.F. Peninsula, South Bay, and greater Los Angeles areas) depending on my travel schedule. The fee is $60/hour; learning typically takes two to four total hours (one or two 2-hour lessons).

How it works

Your private lesson is held on a playground or parking lot with no cars or other bicyclists to worry about. I can provide a bicycle for you to learn on, or you can bring your own – I'll check that it fits you and is safe to ride. All you need is your own bike helmet.

We'll begin with the pedals removed and the seat lowered so you can put both feet on the ground. You'll first learn"gliding" by walking the bike while sitting on it, taking longer and longer steps as your body discovers what it's like to balance and steer. I'll show you how to stop smoothly without falling.

When you can coast in a straight line and make easy turns and safe stops, I'll reinstall the pedals and show you how to start up smoothly and confidently. If needed, a few minutes with the bike mounted on a training stand will let you experience pedaling before you try it while balancing and steering.

When you've mastered starting, riding confidently for several minutes, and stopping, you'll learn the "why, how, and when" of shifting so you can pedal comfortably and efficiently on longer rides.

What's next?

Once you've learned to balance, stop, steer, start, and shift, you'll be ready to continue practicing on your own before going on rides with your family, friends, or a local bike club. You'll also be ready to attend a Street Skills class to learn the essentials of safe and legal bicycle driving.

A great gift...

For several of my "first time cyclist" graduates, the lesson was a birthday or anniversary present from someone special. Do you wish your daughter, son, or sweetie could enjoy bicycling like you do? Give a gift that unlocks a world of fun... learning how to ride!

Schedule

No class times listed. Please contact the instructor to schedule a session.

Pricing Details

$60/hour (private 1-on-1 lesson)

$50/hour per person for 2-person lessons (friends and relatives)

10% discount for payment by cash or check for members and referrals of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC), Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC), and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC)

Cash, check, or PayPal (johnc at bicyclesolutions dot com)

This class offers a discount or promotion

Reviews write a review

• "Perfect If You Have Never Ridden a Bicycle"

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  • • 5/5 stars
  • Robert Lasater (invited user)

  Review of John Ciccarelli , November 29, 2008

  As an adult who never learned to ride a bicycle, John Ciccarelli provide perfect help. He is patient and observant, and has taught many people, including those who are not well coordianated, the basics of bicycle riding. Subjects include gliding, peddling, basic turns and shifting gears. I took three hours, which John claims is about average. I especially liked his patience, detailed program, willingness to work with the student and observations on what is causing difficulties. If you are an adult who does not know how to ride, cotact John. He really should be able to get you up and riding.

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  As an adult who never learned to ride a bicycle, John Ciccarelli provide perfect help. He is patient and observant, and has taught many people, in...

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• "ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS TEACHER!!"

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  • • 5/5 stars
  • Laure McElroy (invited user)

  Review of John Ciccarelli , November 25, 2008

  my 11 year old is part of the new couch-potato digital generation, and i am one of those harried, working single-moms who missed the boat on teaching her kid how to ride a bike...
  ciccareli took a kid (mine) who has been known to tantrum around walking 5 city blocks, and taught him how to ride in less than 2 hours!!! john, you are a patient, funny, patient, PATIENT man; and you definitely kick-butt as a teacher!!! i reccommend this guy highly, and so does my son!

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  my 11 year old is part of the new couch-potato digital generation, and i am one of those harried, working single-moms who missed the boat on teachi...

  more

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