I learned to ride at 33. Now I can’t imagine life without my bike.
I learned to ride a bike at 33.
It happened during COVID, after we moved to the Netherlands. My husband is Dutch. For him, riding is like walking. He has done it since he was a child. For me, it was terrifying.
Teaching myself on a balcony
I taught myself on a balcony. My husband tried to help many times. But he had never had to think about how to ride. It was too natural to him.
So I told him: explain it to me like you are explaining how to fly a plane. Pretend I know nothing. That was hard for him. It is hard to explain something you have always known.
The scary parts
Learning so late came with pressure. The worst moment was at traffic lights. I had to start the bike while other riders waited behind me. My heart was racing.
Then came my first cargo bike, with my child on board. That was a new kind of scary. So much responsibility. But when I got too scared, I got off and walked the bike. That was fine. It was never a failure. It was all about practice.
The day I realised
On one of my first trips outside of town we went to the beach. It was 30 minutes from our home in the Netherlands. Somewhere on the way, I realised I was doing it. I was riding. I was not thinking about it anymore and started to fully enjoy it.
Valencia made me love it more
In 2025 we moved to Valencia with our kids. Before we left, we read that Valencia is part of the Network of Cycling Cities, with more than 200 kilometres of cycle paths. So we brought all our bikes, including the cargo bike.
After one year, I love riding more than ever. It is sunny. It is flat. The scenery is beautiful. Now we do almost everything by bike. School runs. Beach days. Playdates. Even date nights. Moving this way is better for the planet. It also makes us calmer and more present.
The hard parts
It is not always easy. Some bike lanes in Valencia are too narrow.
But people here are kind. Most let us pass first. And I feel safer in the cargo on the lanes. It takes up space, so people see us and give us room.
My favorite thing: our cargo is our safe place
Our kids see the cargo as their space. They play in it together. And when they feel overwhelmed, they climb in. When they want a rest, they climb in. When they want a snack, they climb in.
It is like a small home that moves with us.
My husband still reminds me how crazy it is. A few years ago, I could not ride at all. Now I can’t imagine my days without it. He laughs, and so do I.
Come and try it
You do not need to be an expert. I was not.
We are happy to answer your questions and help you find the right bike for your family.
