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Nobody's too old to ride a bicycle. Just ask Benedict Camara, director and founder of the National Bicycle Organization (NBO).

In 2015, the NBO launched bike lessons for adults to help people overcome their fear of riding bicycles.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck interest in bicycles grew exponentially as people look for transportation alternatives during the quarantine period. The desire to live a healthier lifestyle also factored into the equation.

Because of these, the adult bike classes offered by NBO started turning more heads among those who wanted to hop on and pedal their way on city streets.

“We plan to make everyone a cyclist. As long as they are physically and mentally capable, we will teach them,” Benedict told GMA Lifestyle.

Fear of getting hurt and lack of safe spaces for bike riders within the city are the common concerns mentioned by students according to Benedict.

But he has an interesting observation that is more rooted in social perception than valid fears.

“Females don't mind, it's the males who usually have issues. Shame and fear of being laughed at by their peers, which is something we don't understand,” shared Benedict.

“But we accept it as something that is maybe tied with Filipino culture and general insecurities, confidence or self-esteem issues and other misgivings on how our society perceives men.”

In general, one session of around 40 minutes to an hour is enough for one to develop basic biking skills including safety know-how.

“The few who need two sessions usually have some trauma from childhood when they got into some accident while learning how to bike. Some were not engaged in physical activities growing up so they lack basic motor skills and takes them longer to learn.”

The oldest student that Benedict trained was a grandmother in her late 60s.

“I then taught her daughter and her granddaughter. All three of them came to learn at the same time,” recalled Benedict.

Want to learn how to ride a bike? Here are some pointers for grown-ups to keep in mind:

Don't be shy

Ignore what others might think or say. Training your mind to focus on what you want to accomplish can help overcome feeling awkward and self-conscious.

You have everything to gain and nothing to lose

Learning how to ride a bicycle offers more pros than cons. Riding a bike is a relaxing and leisurely hobby, and a good way to keep the heart and body moving.

It's never too late to learn

Not everything is learned during childhood. The good news is that we can always develop new skills regardless of age.

Believe in yourself

Have confidence in your ability to learn and withstand initial struggles. Think of other skills or talents that you were able to learn and master and can now do effortlessly.

Find a mentor or sign up for a class

It helps to have someone to teach and encourage you from start to finish. You can ask a friend or a loved one to teach you. Or why not solicit the help of those who offer formal lessons like NBO? A lesson will only cost P300 and one can choose to train in Bonifacio Global City or at Robinsons Place Manila. Make sure to contact NBO on Facebook to inquire about their schedule.

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

Meanwhile, here are some cycling essentials to keep you safe on the road: