It is never too late to learn to do certain things and one of them is riding a bike. In The Cycle They know it and they put all the facilities so that those who want to learn to do it in their adult stage can get it. These courses are offered throughout the year and are part of the bicycle school project which, in turn, drinks from the ‘One more bike’ program, promoted at a national level by the Factoría de Ciclistas association.
In Zaragoza, the initiative is promoted by La Ciclería, a cooperative company that is based on two fundamental pillars, the bicycle and solidarity economy. It was born 15 years ago in a local Magdalena and, except buying and selling bikes, they work in everything related to their use. They have a workshop and bike parking, they collaborate with other entities for the design of bicycle networks or they teach courses to learn to ride a bicycle at any age. All with the aim of continuing to promote urban cycling in the capital.
Since its inception, La Ciclería has made it possible for anyone to learn to ride a bike and, at this time1,700 people have put themselves in their hands to participate in the learning course, which is the most basic level. “These are people who have never ridden a bike and the first thing we do is walk carrying the bike to the area where we are going to practice,” he explains. Jorge Baringo, activities coordinator for La Ciclería. When you have never had contact with a bicycle, this is more difficult than it seems and this first session is used to get sensations when you touch the brake or turn the handlebar. The next step would be to learn to get on and off the bike and, later, once mounted, take advantage of a ramp so that inertia facilitates movement. “At first they go without pedals, to gain balance,” Jorge points out.
“The important thing is to create a friendly and trusting space because, on a personal level, taking this step is very important”
Most of those who dare with this challenge of learning to ride a bike as an adult are women between 40 and 65 years that either they had never done it or they did it but they left it. There are also those who have a little respect for moving around the city by bike. Although this is the most common profile, at the La Ciclería bike school there are more and more more demand from children. At the other extreme, a married couple in their 80s who wanted to learn together and even bought bikes afterwards. “The important thing is to create a friendly and trusting space because, on a personal level, taking this step is very important. As a colleague always says, we must take into account that the person who comes with 50 years has been 40 and many have been aware that he does not know how to ride a bike, ”explains Jorge. “We meet mothers who have spent their entire lives wanting to go out on a bike with their children without being able to. Now, at 60, they get fed up and rush to do it with their grandchildren.”
For those, like Jorge, who are in charge of accompanying the students in this process, it is very enriching to see how, almost always, they succeed. “The success rate is very high, close to one hundred percent and it is a great satisfaction. Then they see you on the street and greet you. There are many people who now move around Zaragoza by bike and are proud of having learned at 50 years old”, he relates.
Small groups and personalized attention
The key to the teaching methodology of La Ciclería is that classes are for groups of a maximum of six people with the aim that the monitor can attend to each case in a personalized way and cover diversity. And it is that each person takes their own pace and learns more or less quickly for disparate reasons. “Even if you have never ridden a bike, whoever has skated or skied already has a lot of balance gained. Or if he plays the drums, he has the most developed laterality”, explains Jorge. In addition, he emphasizes the importance of the group and feel the support and strength in others.
“There are many people who now move around Zaragoza by bike and are proud of having learned at 50 years of age”
After the learning level, which is the most requested, you can continue in the skill level. In these sessions emergency braking is practiced, it is taught how to avoid an obstacle, go down a curb or get up on the bike to pedal with more force. “Ultimately, it is about riding the bike in a natural and safe way to be able to manage everyday situations such as, for example, crossing someone head-on on a bike lane”. There is a third level that now that Zaragoza is every day more prepared to move safely by bike, is no longer in demand. It is about nearby walks and circulation in the city, with more personalized outings for, for example, people who wanted to go from home to work by bike but did not know where to go or it scared them.
At the basic level, the courses consist of six classes of one and a half hours, distributed at the rate of two per week. “Regardless of the level, the essence of the program is attend to the individuality of each person. Although there is a marked evolution and progression and without achieving certain milestones it is not possible to advance, the courses are very flexible and adapt to the rhythm of each person”, explains Jorge.
In principle, although the schedules are subject to possible modifications, the learning level sessions for people over 16 years of age in July will be the first three Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:15 to 10:45. Skill classes for adults are scheduled for Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and those of learning for children from 6 to 15 years old, on Thursdays 11 to 12.30. “In all cases, during class we make several stops because you are under tension all the time and in the end it is both physically and mentally tiring”.
“It’s about riding the bike in a natural and safe way to be able to manage everyday situations such as, for example, crossing someone head-on on a bike lane”
In these courses, students do not have to bring their own bike, in fact they learn with ones provided by La Ciclería which, due to their characteristics, are more conducive to learning. “They have a low bar, a big wheel and a high saddle, looking for a straighter position”, explains Jorge.
The place where the classes take place is the environment of the Biciescuela space, which is located on Bubierca street (San José), from where you go to Torre Ramona Park. The price of the training course is 75 euros per person, the same as skill. For children, they cost 65 and you can also hire private classes for 40 euros. All the information, as well as the rest of the services provided by La Ciclería (there is even an escape room to do by bike) can be found on their website.
