Practical tips for new riders — build confidence one ride at a time
Congratulations — getting pedalling is the hard part and you’ve done it. This short, practical guide is for people who’ve just finished a Learn to Ride session (or are thinking about trying one). It focuses on comfort, basic skills you can practise quickly, and the resources that help new riders keep riding with confidence.
If you’d like to learn more about gears, sudden stopping or signalling, consider a Back On Your Bike course — it’s a short, practical refresher in a traffic-free environment that’s perfect for new, rusty or returning riders.
Start small and ride regularly
Short, frequent rides (10–20 minutes, a few times per week) are the fastest route to confidence and fitness.
Progress in steps: parks and shared paths → separated cycleways → quiet, bike-friendly streets.
Look where you want to go. Often, looking up into a turn fixes wobble problems faster than complex corrections.
Comfort & fit
Saddle soreness is normal. Most riders adapt within 6–8 weeks. If soreness persists, try a different saddle (bike seat) — it can transform your ride.
Bike fit for comfort first. Shops may recommend a fit for efficiency, but it’s fine to set the saddle a little lower while you build balance and control, then raise it as your skills and confidence improve.
Budget for essentials: A helmet, a quality chain or U-lock, and lights.
Comfort & fit — ride for comfort and purpose
Riding doesn’t have to mean adopting a race posture. At Pedal Set Go we champion practical setups that suit how people actually use bikes in towns: short trips, frequent stops, carrying shopping or kids, and aiming for comfort rather than speed. A lower saddle makes mounting, stopping and starting far easier and gives you secure footing at traffic lights or when negotiating crowded kerbs. We recommend you always remain seated when stopping and starting so you are always prepared for sudden stops.
Shops and well-meaning helpers often set bikes up for long-distance efficiency — a high saddle for full leg extension and top performance. That works if your goal is sustained speed, but it’s not the only valid choice. Many experienced riders who use bikes for transport deliberately run a lower saddle when they expect lots of stop–start riding or heavy loads, then raise it when they want to be more efficient on a longer run.
Choose the fit that matches your riding life. A practical rule of thumb: set the seat so you can pedal comfortably and place a foot flat on the ground while stationary; as your balance and confidence improve, you can raise the saddle a little at a time. Making comfort your priority helps you ride more often and with less worry.
Practical tip: If you regularly carry heavy loads or stop and start a lot, try a slightly lower saddle for several rides — you can always raise it when you want to go faster.
Brakes, stopping and confidence
Smooth braking builds confidence. Cover your brakes while riding so you can react quickly.
Practice sudden stops using both brakes, keeping the bike straight, remain seated and moving your weight back slightly, and keeping feet on the pedals until stopped. This drills muscle memory and reduces fear.
When mounting or dismounting, keep the bike stationary with a brakes applied so starts and stops feel safe, stable and predictable.
Gears made simple
Gears make pedalling easier. Low gears (lower numbers) provide low resistance when pedalling and are for starting, hills, and headwinds; high gears provide high or harder resistance and are used for steady speed on flats or downhill.
Shift smoothly. Ease pedal pressure while changing gears — pedalling hard while shifting can make the chain fall off.
Where to ride & legal basics (NSW)
Choose a low-pressure space to learn. Start where you can focus on control without traffic stress: parks and shared paths, then separated cycleways and quiet, bike-friendly streets.
Footpath rules in NSW: Riding on footpaths is generally prohibited in NSW unless the rider is under 16, or an adult accompanying a child under 16. There is also a lesser-known exception: a person may ride on a footpath if they hold a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating that riding on the footpath is necessary for their health or safety. Rules and enforcement can vary locally, so if you’re unsure about an individual situation it’s wise to check TfNSW guidance or your local council cycling maps and policies. For route resources and local maps, explore our skills and safety tips blog pages.
Route planning, apps and resources
CityMapper and the TfNSW Trip Planner are excellent for planning low-stress routes and combining bikes with public transport. CityMapper’s app is especially good for voice navigation.
Local bike trail blogs and council maps help you discover quiet, off-road routes across Greater Sydney.
Buying, renting and second-hand bikes
Test ride first. Buy from a local shop so you can try different styles and get friendly, inclusive service.
Renting (including rent-to-buy options) is a great way to try e-bikes and urban models. Monthly hires often offer better value than day hires — Lug + Carrie and other local services are worth checking.
Second hand shops and cycling recyclers can offer high value; avoid buying from big-box stores or private sellers unless you know what to look for.
Back On Your Bike & next steps
If you want to learn more about gears, sudden stopping or signalling, consider a Back On Your Bike course. It’s a focused, practical session that helps riders regain control and confidence in a traffic-free setting. From there, people often progress to Confident City Rider (Intermediate) to practise road positioning and riding in bike-friendly streets.
You can also follow us on Facebook for a schedule of our free guided rides and other community events.
