Bicycles and Seniors – I Bet You Haven’t Forgotten How

Remember the days of childhood when we would hop on our bikes, explore the neighborhood, ride to the store, follow the mailman (yes, we did, poor guy, lol), or ride aimlessly around with a friend. That feeling of freedom on a bike ride doesn’t need to be a distant memory. Bicycles and Seniors – I Bet You Haven’t Forgotten How – what’s the saying -Once you learn to ride a bike, you’ll never forget. Hop on a bike and take a ride.

Benefits of Bike Riding

The benefits of riding bikes are numerous. As always, remember, before starting any activity, you want to have your doctor’s clearance to do so.

Getting outside and getting some fresh air can do wonders for the mind – did anyone ever tell you as a kid – to go outside and get the dust off? The same can be true for an adult.

If you suffer from bad knees or hips, you probably don’t want to participate in high-impact exercises like running. Biking can be an excellent substitute for high-impact activities.

You can even get your heart rate elevated for a cardiovascular workout- if you want a more vigorous workout, you can peddle faster or even change the gears to make it harder to peddle.

If you have limitations and do not have easy access to the outside, a stationary bike is a great alternative for getting in some activity.

Whether outside or on a stationary bike – biking is a great non-impact activity.

Another benefit when you go bike riding with someone else is social interaction.

How about bike riding with your children or grandkids and spending time across generations making memories.

You can search the internet for group rides in your area.

There are also biking tours you can participate in.

Safety First

There are more safety precautions to take when riding a bike today than when we were kids.  You want to be sure to follow the rules of the road.

Video: Signaling

Road Rules:

• Ride with traffic.
• If available, use bike lanes.
• Cross the street at a crosswalk – but never assume you’ll be given the right away.
• Obey traffic signals and stop signs.
• Use hand signals
  • Left arm bent up at elbow – right turn.
  • Left-arm straight out point toward left – left turn.
  • Left arm bent down at elbow – slowing/stopping.

Helmets:

• Even though you might not think you will fall or come in contact with a car, you never know. If it should happen, you want to be sure your head is protected.
• The use of helmets is controversial, and you can do some research and decide for yourself, but I, for one, feel better using one.

Ride in Groups:

Riding in a group is not only good for safety but for social interaction as well.

Bike Checklist

Before hopping on your bike, do an overall check of the bike.

• Be sure the tires are inflated and show no signs of wear.
• Check the brakes to be sure they are in good working order.
• Check the chain – is it running smoothly?

Even after checking your bike, there is a possibility that something could happen.

It’s a great idea to bring a repair kit along on the ride. It will come in handy for minor repairs; for instance, if you get a flat tire – you’ll have the tools necessary to fix it, even if it’s a temporary fix to get you home or to a bike shop.

You can purchase a repair kit that has items you will most likely need on the road or purchase individual items for your kit:

• Spare Tube
• Patch Kit
• Pump
• Tire Lever – helps pry the tire off the rim.
• Multi-Tool– look for a tool with wrenches, screwdrivers, and a chain tool all on one device.

Look for a local bike shop that offers repair classes, so you will know what to do if you need to repair something on your bike – especially when out on a ride.

In addition to a repair kit, you might also want to bring a cell phone and some money in case you stop for snacks or need it for some other reason.

Biking Groups and Clubs

If you like to ride in groups, there are many biking groups available. I know my local bike shops have groups that meet weekly to go for various rides for different riding expertise – from beginners to those who race.

Check to be sure the type of bike you have is what most of the other riders have.

Once I searched the internet and found a biking group that went out to breakfast after riding on Sunday mornings.

I went for the group ride using my mountain bike when all the other riders had street bikes. Guess who arrived last?

To get to the biking group, you may need to transport your bike, so you might want to consider purchasing a bike rack if you don’t have an SUV or truck large enough to transport your bike.

Some companies like Viator provide tours on a bike. How much fun would it be to tour the east coast when the fall foliage arrives. How about riding throughout the Rockie Mountains and exploring Colorado, or perhaps you are looking to tour the Wine Country. Many of these tours also allow time for discovering the area and not just biking all day.

What Type of Bike Is For You?

There are so many different bike types, and you might be wondering what kind is right for you. Here are a few of the more common bikes to help you out.

Take into consideration your fitness level and the safety of the bike as you consider purchasing one. 

Mountain Bikes

Features of Mountain Bikes

• Also known as Fat tire bikes.
• Wider tires than seen on traditional bikes.
• It can be used on rugged off-road trails.
• I used a mountain bike for regular street riding, but it is slower than a road/street bike.
• Slower than street bikes.
• Has gears.

You May Be Interested In: Fat Tire Bikes – Beginners’ Guide

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Cruiser Bikes

Features of Cruiser Bikes

• Upright riding position                                         
• Mostly single or 3 speeds                           
• Coaster brakes
• Use on flat surfaces

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Street or Road Bikes

Features of Street or Road Bikes

• Fast
• Thin tires
• Usually has gears

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Hybrid Bikes

• A hybrid bike is a combination of a street/road bike and a mountain bike.     
• Not as efficient as a street bike.
• It can be used on dirt trails but not rough, rugged off-road trails.

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Recumbent Trike

Features of Recumbent Trikes

• Full seat with backrest.
• Legs are more out in front of your torso than a “regular” bike.
• You’re setting lower to the road than a “regular” bike.
• You should use a flag so drivers can see you easier.
• It can be difficult to pedal uphill.

Read: 3 Best Adult Recumbent Trikes Buying Guide – Ride In Comfort

Read: What Is A Recumbent Trike? – Ride With Comfort

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Adult Trikes

Features of Adult Trikes

• Has 3 wheels
• Suitable for people that have difficulty with balance

• I wrote a comparison of 4 Tricycles in 4 Best Adult Tricycles

You Might Be Interested In: Best Folding Adult Tricycles

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Folding Bike

Features of Folding Bikes

• Lightweight
• It can be folded for transporting or for storage.

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Stationary Bike

Features of Stationary Bikes

• For inside use.
• They come in both recumbent and upright styles.

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Electric Bikes or e-Bikes

Features of an Electric Bike aka an e-Bikes

• Pedal Assist
• Available regular and fat tire models

You May Also Be Interested In: Best Electric Trikes For Adults

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Biking for Nearly Everyone

Once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget. With so many choices to choose from, nearly everyone can find the right bike for them.

Yes, bicycles and seniors go together. Be sure to be safe and ride safely. From bike tours to riding in your neighborhood or sharing memories with your grandchildren-go out there and recapture the fun of childhood.

Thank you for stopping by and reading Bicycles and Seniors – I Bet You Haven’t Forgotten How. I hope you found some useful information and maybe even had a memory or two of carefree childhood bike riding.

Do you have a favorite bike adventure or memory? I would love to hear it. Please comment below.