Biker Dude

Kids in Berlin start bicycling at a very early age. By 2 or 3 they are zooming down sidewalks on their balance bikes, many riding bicycles without training wheels at age four.

Our kids on the other hand grew up in a very residential neighborhood in the States where scooters were the main mode of transport.

They never really had motivation to learn. I often hung my mothering head in shame knowing they didn’t possess this basic skill. (Forgetting to remind myself how scary and difficult learning to ride a bicycle really is.)

During lockdown, things changed. Isaac upgraded to a big boy, two wheeler scooter, while Ben learned to rollerblade.

Then a neighbor in our building, who also happens to be from Atlanta, offered to sell us her daughter’s used bike that was now too small for her. I jumped at the opportunity even though it was a little small for Ben. But what better bike to learn on. To crash. To not be too high off the ground with. Plus, it would be perfect for Isaac once he learned to ride.

After a few weeks of practice in our Hof (courtyard), Ben was a proficient rider. He could take turns. He could ride uphill from a standstill. He no longer crashed every time he got on. It was time for a new bike.

So we went to Alexanderplatz to a sporting goods store and tried a few models, but they just didn’t seem right. He suggested we go to the bike shop where Dave and I got our bikes shortly after we moved to Berlin. (https://atomic-temporary-144439175.wpcomstaging.com/2018/07/26/bikes/)

So we took a tram and the S-Bahn and were soon there. We talked with an associate and she showed us two models. The first one he tried was the one he ended up choosing. When you know, you know.

It would take two hours for it to be built (Corona has caused an increase in bicycle sales), so we walked into Friedrichshain for lunch at an Asian restaurant despite the hot weather. And soon returned to his new bike.

Ben was so happy. We took the S-Bahn to Schönhauser Allee and got off to celebrate at his favorite candy store. Here he even rode on the bike path a bit. He was so proud. And so was I.

Learning to ride bicycle came at the ideal time. Here in Berlin, all 4th Graders have to learn the rules of the road and take a bicycle “driving license test”. Which is pretty awesome. To know that even the youngest of riders can safetly and confidently navigate the bike paths that cover much of the city’s roadways.

The first time the class went to the district’s learning center together, Ben was confident with his biking, even though he didn’t follow all of the German instructions. We now have to go as a family to the learning center three times before December to get more lessons. As far as I know, this is free of charge.

Ben has really embraced biking. Just yesterday, he and I rode to our friends’ house for Rosh Hashanah dinner while Dave and Isaac took a BerlKönig van there and back.

During dinner tonight, Ben asked if he and I could go for a ride. I was thrilled and excited to share this passion of mine with my son.

So we strapped on our helmets, got our bikes from the Hof and rode around the center of Berlin for nearly an hour.

When we got home, Ben asked if we could do it again tomorrow night. Absolutely! With temperatures in the upper 70s this week, it’s the perfect after dinner activity.

I only hope his love of biking continues as the temperatures here in Berlin start to drop.

Our next goal is for Isaac to pick up the sport as well so we can take bike tours together as a family.