There it was, right in front of me: two thin wheels connected by a metal frame, with a skinny seat perched on top. This new, shiny bicycle seemed like a massive leap from the big wheel I was used to whipping around the neighborhood. Straddling it for the first time was both exhilarating and terrifying. It felt unnatural, and even at five years old, I understood that there was a real risk—I could fall and get hurt.
We often hear the phrase, “as easy as riding a bike.” This expression is meant to suggest that something is simple to learn, and once you know how to do it, it becomes second nature. While it’s true that once you’ve mastered the skill of riding a bike, it becomes automatic, this isn’t the experience for most people learning to ride for the first time. I’ve seen children who are absolutely terrified the first few times they try, and I’ve witnessed more than a few broken arms to prove that things can—and do— go wrong. So, “easy as riding a bike” is not always a “walk in the park.”
The process of learning to ride a bike isn’t just about understanding the physics of motion and balance; it’s about experience.
Read the full article here: Issue 40