Cycling - getting started

Bike basics and maintenance

Getting started with cycling

Choosing a bike

Just like shoes for walking, your bike should be the right size for you.  Normally being able to touch the floor comfortably with the balls of your feet is a good guide. Cycling UK offers advice for beginners, including choosing the right size bike for a child or for an adult. 

If you also want to ride the bike 'off-road', you may want to consider using a mountain bike, which will have bigger tyres and better suspension. 

Buying a second-hand bicycle is a good way to get into cycling without spending too much.

Before you ride

Check that the tyres and brakes on your bike are in good condition and do a simple "M-check" before you set off.  

Always use front and rear lights in darkness or poor light.

Bike maintenance

A big advantage of cycling is that routine maintenance can be done much more cheaply and easily compared to cars.  You will soon have peace of mind that you can rely on your bike, and even when things go wrong it can often be fixed quickly yourself rather than waiting for someone to come out to you.

Bike shops can offer advice and service your bike.  Like a car, servicing your bike regularly means you will get more out of your cycle and it will last longer.

Cycling UK has produced five guides on bike maintenance, designed to be downloaded to your phone for reference for wherever you travel.

The five guides cover: 

 

View a print version

Cycle Coventry

Address: Coventry City Council
PO Box 7097
Coventry
CV6 9SL