Learning to Ride a Bicycle,

Learning to ride a bicycle, it is important to first learn its important parts. A bicycle is made up of eight (8) important parts: the saddle, crossbar, handlebars, gearshift, brake lever, front brake, pedal, and chain. Knowing these parts would enable the rider to know very well how a bicycle operates, allowing him/her to troubleshoot bike problems that s/he may encounter while riding the bike. The frame of the bike is composed of two triangle-shaped frames, the front and back (or rear) triangles.

The front triangle is composed of the headset, wherein the handlebars are located, and the saddle, where the rider is supported. The back triangle, meanwhile, holds the seatstays and chainstays. The seatstays connects the saddle to the back wheel of the bike; the chainstays allow the chains to rotate corresponding to the wheels' movement as well as hold the pedals. The front triangle also contains parts that comprise the bike's most important functions, which are steering and breaking.

Steering is made possible through the handlebars, while breaking is accomplished through the brake lever and front brake. The gearshift functions as a tension that tightens or gradually loosens the connection between the bicycle chain and wheels. Suspension systems are often found in mountain bikes and in bicycles used in professional sports. These suspension systems act as "shock absorbers" that allow riders/cyclers to control their bicycles better, especially when passing through steep and rough terrains and engaging in bicycling competitions.

Upon knowing these important bicycle parts, the rider will then be able to understand more the process of learning how to bike. Learning how to bike involved the following processes: (1) getting the bike ready (i.e., gearing up for the ride); (2) balancing one's self upon saddling on the bike; (3) identifying and choosing the speed most appropriate for the rider's physical capability; (4) adjusting the brakes and gear for different terrains; and (5) positioning one's self or coming to a stop for the end of the ride.

Gearing up' for the ride involves checking the bike for any malfunctions on its parts. The rider must make sure that the chains are well-oiled, the gears and breaks are in working order, and both wheels are properly inflated. It is also important to at least prepare other gear that the rider may need, such as water in a plastic bottle or container, using a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads for head, knee, and elbow protection, respectively.

Once these precautions and essential preparations are accomplished, the rider must then mount the bike and ride on the saddle of the bike while holding the handlebars. While doing this, one must make sure to achieve balance while mounting the bike, which is done by using one leg as support while the other is extended over the bike so that the rider's body (from the buttocks up) is elevated up to the level of the saddle.

After mounting the bike, the biker must now achieve balance in order to get the bike moving forward. Thus, upon mounting the bike (i.e., sitting on the saddle), the biker must put his feet on the bike's pedals. To move forward, s/he must put his/her leg on the floor, give a push, then immediately replace it on the pedal and both legs must begin doing circular motions with the pedals to keep the bike moving forward.

While doing these circular motions repeatedly, the biker must maintain his/her balance by firmly gripping the handlebars and pointing the bike straightly toward the path that the rider intends to take. When making turns, the rider must point the bike toward the intended path, maintain his/her balance, and keep cycling by moving the pedals circularly. When the rider is comfortable with the balance and path that s/he intended to take, s/he can now choose the speed in which s/he wanted to cycle.

If the biker is physically capable to bike at full speed, then s/he can do so by rapidly pedaling the bike. Also, it would also help if s/he makes use of the gearshift by loosening the tension in the bike's wheels, thus allowing her/him to bike faster. If s/he wanted to go slower, then the biker has the option to pedal slower.