Why Pedalwise Exists – and Why Anyone Can Learn to Ride

At Pedalwise, our mission is simple: to help more people learn to ride a bike — safely, confidently, and with a smile. But it goes deeper than that. We launched Pedalwise because we saw a fundamental gap in how cycling is taught across the UK — and more importantly, who it’s being taught to.

For many children, the only exposure to cycling instruction comes through school-based initiatives like Bikeability. These schemes can be brilliant — but they’re also limited in reach, time, and follow-up. They rely on a window of opportunity. What if a child is ill that week? Or just isn’t ready yet? What about children who need more personalised instruction or a different pace?

And then there’s a whole group of people left out entirely — adults. Every week we hear from adults who never learned to ride, or who feel unsure on a bike. Many feel embarrassed to admit it. Others assume it’s too late. We knew it didn’t have to be this way.

That’s why we started Pedalwise: to give people of all ages and backgrounds a better, more supportive way to learn. Our sessions are small, structured, and guided by experienced instructors who adapt to each rider’s needs. We don’t rely on guesswork or outdated methods like stabilisers — we use modern, balance-first approaches that help learners of all ages succeed.

We believe cycling should be as accessible as swimming lessons or learning to read. It’s not just a pastime; it’s a life skill. Being able to cycle opens doors to independence, physical health, mental well-being, and social freedom. Yet far too many people are denied that opportunity because they missed a narrow learning window or lacked the right support.

At the same time, we also knew that myths around learning to ride were stopping people from ever giving it a go. These beliefs — that stabilisers are essential, or that you have to be a child — simply aren’t true. Let’s take a moment to break down some of the biggest myths we hear.

Myth 1: You need stabilisers to learn.
This idea has stuck around for decades, but it simply doesn’t hold up. Stabilisers prevent riders from developing the balance and core strength they actually need. They create a false sense of security — and a harder transition later. We use stabiliser-free methods rooted in balance-first techniques, and they work faster and more effectively.

Myth 2: You have to be a child to learn.
Absolutely not. We regularly teach adults who never had the chance to learn — and who’ve now decided it’s time. Whether it’s for commuting, cycling with family, health reasons, or simply ticking something off the bucket list, adults are learning to ride every day. Our adult learners come from all walks of life — and they often say it’s one of the most empowering things they’ve ever done.

Myth 3: If you didn’t learn young, you never will.
Many adults feel embarrassed to admit they never learned, but it’s far more common than people think. And with the right teaching environment, adult learners can pick up cycling just as well as children — often in just a few hours. We’ve taught learners in their 60s and 70s. It’s never too late to gain a new skill that brings freedom and confidence.

Myth 4: One session won’t be enough.
It might be! Many of our riders pass Level 1 in a single session. For those who don’t, we offer the Pedalwise Guarantee — free return sessions until you do. Removing that pressure helps people focus, relax, and often progress faster.

Myth 5: Learning to ride is too risky.
Safety is our top priority. We run sessions in controlled, off-road environments with trained instructors and small group sizes. Learning is paced for each individual and guided step by step — reducing stress and building success.

Whether it’s helping a child feel the thrill of their first solo pedal, or guiding an adult through the emotional milestone of finally riding unaided, our work is built around transformation. We treat learning to ride with the same respect we’d give to learning to swim or drive. It deserves time, structure, and patience.
So if you’ve ever told yourself it’s too late, too difficult, or too risky — Pedalwise exists to prove otherwise. Riding is for everyone. And we’re only just getting started.