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* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': "Ride Patrick Ride" centers on [=SpongeBob=] teaching Patrick how to ride a bike.
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* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': The episode "Ride Patrick Ride" centers on [=SpongeBob=] teaching Patrick how to ride a bike.
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** Also parodied in "My Mother the Carjacker", during a montage of Homer and [[MissingMom Mona]] making up for lost time. Unfortunately, he rides into an exit ramp coming out of the highway, cutting right before he collides with a semi-truck.
** Again parodied in "Pygmoelian", when Bart & Lisa park a bike in front of a hotel in pursuit of a lost pink elephant balloon, Snake Jailbird and his son immediately take it, the son riding the bike shouting "Daddy, I'm stealing! I'm stealing!"
-->'''Snake:''' ''(smiling and rubbing away a tear)'' Oh, that's my little dude!
* ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
** Again parodied in "Pygmoelian", when Bart & Lisa park a bike in front of a hotel in pursuit of a lost pink elephant balloon, Snake Jailbird and his son immediately take it, the son riding the bike shouting "Daddy, I'm stealing! I'm stealing!"
-->'''Snake:''' ''(smiling and rubbing away a tear)'' Oh, that's my little dude!
* ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
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** Also parodied in "My Mother the Carjacker", during a montage of Homer and [[MissingMom Mona]] making up for lost time. Unfortunately, he rides into onto an exit ramp coming out of the highway, cutting right before he collides with a semi-truck.
** Again parodied in "Pygmoelian", when Bart & Lisa park a bike in front of a hotel in pursuit of a lost pink elephantballoon, balloon. Snake Jailbird and his son immediately take it, the son riding the bike while shouting "Daddy, I'm stealing! I'm stealing!"
-->'''Snake:''' --->'''Snake:''' ''(smiling and rubbing away a tear)'' Oh, that's my little dude!
* ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'': The whole plot of''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels "[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' Wheels]]" was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
** Again parodied in "Pygmoelian", when Bart & Lisa park a bike in front of a hotel in pursuit of a lost pink elephant
* ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'': The whole plot of
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* ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'': The B-plot of "Bill's House" has Bobby teach Peggy to ride a bike after she makes a fever-induced promise to learn, as she never learned as a kid (growing up in Montana, she rode horses instead). Unfortunately, she just can't figure it out.
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* Niles and Series/{{Frasier}} Crane match the UpperClassTwit archetype, specifically the StereotypicalNerd variety, with neither having learned to ride, and get to spend an episode hilariously failing to do so.
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* Niles and Series/{{Frasier}} Crane match the UpperClassTwit archetype, specifically the StereotypicalNerd variety, with neither having learned to ride, and get to spend an episode hilariously failing to do so. Their father mentions that he tried to teach them as kids but they kept injuring themselves and he was worried the family doctor thought [[AbuseMistake something worse was happening]].
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-->'''Snake''' (smiling and rubbing away a tear): Oh, that's my little dude!
* ''[[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Star vs. the Forces of Evil]]'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
* ''[[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Star vs. the Forces of Evil]]'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
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*
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* ''Literature/TheGiver'': At the Ceremony of Nine, the children are given bicycles for the first time, instead of having to ride on the back of a parent's bike, and thus shown to be more independent in the Community. While this should be the first time the child is on the bike and thus wobbly and unskilled at riding, many are taught by older siblings beforehand in secret.
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As such, learning to ride a bike, or, more importantly, ''being taught'' how to ride a bike is a childhood milestone that crosses cultural boundaries. You learn to walk, you learn to ride, you learn to drive, you get your first kiss, [[OddLastItemIndex you rob your first convenience store]]... Some things just show up a lot in media.
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As such, learning to ride a bike, or, more importantly, ''being taught'' how to ride a bike is a childhood milestone that crosses cultural boundaries. You learn to walk, you learn to ride, you learn to drive, you get your first kiss, [[OddLastItemIndex [[BreadMilkEggsSquick you rob your first convenience store]]... Some things just show up a lot in media.
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->'''Motobug:''' Well, son, today, I think you're ready to ride on your own. ''Without'' your training wheels.\\
'''Motobug Jr.:''' But, daddy, I don't think I'm ready!\\
'''Motobug:''' Nonsense! Just give it a shot. ''(removes training wheels)'' There you go.\\
'''Motobug Jr.:''' Er... I-I'm doing it! I'm doing it, daddy!\\
'''Motobug:''' That's it, son! Ride like the wiiind!
-->-- ''[[WebAnimation/SonicShorts Sonic Shorts Volume 5]]''
'''Motobug Jr.:''' But, daddy, I don't think I'm ready!\\
'''Motobug:''' Nonsense! Just give it a shot. ''(removes training wheels)'' There you go.\\
'''Motobug Jr.:''' Er... I-I'm doing it! I'm doing it, daddy!\\
'''Motobug:''' That's it, son! Ride like the wiiind!
-->-- ''[[WebAnimation/SonicShorts Sonic Shorts Volume 5]]''
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** Again parodied in "Pygmoelian", when Bart & Lisa park a bike in front of a hotel in pursuit of a lost pink elephant balloon, Snake Jailbird and his son immediately take it, the son riding the bike shouting "Daddy, I'm stealing! I'm stealing!"
-->'''Snake''' (smiling and rubbing away a tear): Oh, that's my little dude!
-->'''Snake''' (smiling and rubbing away a tear): Oh, that's my little dude!
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose's Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hilda}}:'' In "The Nightmare Spirit" it is revealed that Hilda never learnt how to ride a bike. She tells this secret to the Rat King, who tells her that the mysterious girl they have been seeing has been causing the nightmares of David. When Hilda challenges the girl, the marra to see if she could get scared by her nightmares, the Marra uses the previous secret to her advantage, and implements Hilda not knowing how to ride a bike in her nightmare. This scares Hilda, and the next morning, she asks her friends to teach her how to ride a bike.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hilda}}:'' In "The Nightmare Spirit" it is revealed that Hilda never learnt how to ride a bike. She tells this secret to the Rat King, who tells her that the mysterious girl they have been seeing has been causing the nightmares of David. When Hilda challenges the girl, the marra to see if she could get scared by her nightmares, the Marra uses the previous secret to her advantage, and implements Hilda not knowing how to ride a bike in her nightmare. This scares Hilda, and the next morning, she asks her friends to teach her how to ride a bike.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'': The episode "Uneasy Rider" has Chuckie riding a bike for the first time. He has trouble learning to use his brakes and can't stop in time to avoid a [[CoveredInMud mud puddle, which he falls into]].
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hilda}}:'' In "The Nightmare Spirit" it is revealed that Hilda never learnt how to ride a bike. She tells this secret to the Rat King, who tells her that the mysterious girl they have been seeing has been causing the nightmares of David. When Hilda challenges the girl, the marra to see if she could get scared by her nightmares, the Marra uses the previous secret to her advantage, and implements Hilda not knowing how to ride a bike in her nightmare. This scares Hilda, and the next morning, she asks her friends to teach her how to ride a bike.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose's Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose's Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose's Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose's Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
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[[quoteright:857:[[ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/calvin_cycle_6.png]]]]
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Another result is that learning to ride a bike has also become ubiquitous, such that it's a frequent cause for surprise to learn that a fellow adult hasn't yet learned how to ride a bike. Bikes, and the riding thereof, are so common that "It's like riding a bike." is a [[StockPhrases Stock Phrase]] for a skill that, once learned, can never really be forgotten.
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Another result is that learning to ride a bike has also become ubiquitous, such that it's a frequent cause for surprise to learn that a fellow adult hasn't yet learned how to ride a bike. Bikes, and the riding thereof, are so common that "It's like riding a bike." bike" is a [[StockPhrases Stock Phrase]] {{Stock Phrase|s}} for a skill that, once learned, can never really be forgotten.
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[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
* Thanks to her HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood, Phoebe of ''Series/{{Friends}}'' never owned a bike. The B-Plot of [[Recap/FriendsS7E9TheOneWithAllTheCandy "The One With All the Candy"]] focuses on Ross's dismay that she never got to have that experience, and he buys her a bike. Then, realizing she doesn't know how to ride it, tries to teach her (Including the typical moment where he lets go and she's doing it on her own! Only she realizes he's not there any more and freaks out.). The episode ends with her happily riding her bike thanks to training wheels.
* Thanks to her HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood, Phoebe of ''Series/{{Friends}}'' never owned a bike. The B-Plot of [[Recap/FriendsS7E9TheOneWithAllTheCandy "The One With All the Candy"]] focuses on Ross's dismay that she never got to have that experience, and he buys her a bike. Then, realizing she doesn't know how to ride it, tries to teach her (Including the typical moment where he lets go and she's doing it on her own! Only she realizes he's not there any more and freaks out.). The episode ends with her happily riding her bike thanks to training wheels.
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* Thanks to her HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood, Phoebe of ''Series/{{Friends}}'' never owned a bike. The B-Plot of [[Recap/FriendsS7E9TheOneWithAllTheCandy "The One With All the Candy"]] focuses on Ross's dismay that she never got to have that experience, and he buys her a bike. Then, realizing she doesn't know how to ride it, tries to teach her
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose?s Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''[[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Star vs. the Forces of Evil]]'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
* ''[[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Star vs. the Forces of Evil]]'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose?s Moose's Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''[[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Star vs. the Forces of Evil]]'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how tobrake.brake.
----
* ''[[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Star vs. the Forces of Evil]]'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to
----
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Vulcanized rubber and pneumatic tubes mean that riding a bike is a pleasant, rather than jarring, experience, regardless of the terrain. As a result, they've become a ubiquitous global presence over the last century. Exurb, suburb, or urb, you will see bicycles ''everywhere''. They're a cheap, efficient, and effective means of rapid transport over short distances. Or long distances, if you've got the stomach for it. And, unlike the metro, it's free.
Another result is that learning to ride a bike has also become ubiquitous, such that it's a frequent cause for surprise to learn that a fellow adult hasn't yet learned how to ride a bike. Bikes, and the riding thereof, are so common that "It's like riding a bike." is a [[StockPhrases Stock Phrase]] for a skill that, once learned, can never really be forgotten.
As such, learning to ride a bike, or, more importantly, ''being taught'' how to ride a bike is a childhood milestone that crosses cultural boundaries. You learn to walk, you learn to ride, you learn to drive, you get your first kiss, [[OddLastItemIndex you rob your first convenience store]]... Some things just show up a lot in media.
Sitting on a bike isn't Administrivia/PeopleSitOnChairs because ''it's the first time''. It's a classic moment where children gain another bit of independence, putting literal physical distance between themselves and their parents. It's an achievement, earned through hard work and the real possibility of injury. You can expect to see joy from a child moving faster than they ever have before even as their parents weep.
This isn't just a moment for parents and children. Because it's so expected, it's a common plot point for an adult to teach a companion who never learned to ride. The result is that they get to teach their friend or romantic partner a valuable skill, providing a bonding moment (and probably some comedy) along with a little bit of freedom.
Useful Note: For their first rides, keep the seat low enough that the student's feet can reach the ground. Let them push themselves and balance themselves without the pedals until they get a feel for how the bike moves, balances itself, and turns. Then, when they're comfortable, raise the seat and let them get comfortable with the pedals and brakes as a separate exercise.
How common are bikes? HeroStoleMyBike, that's how common.
----
[[AC:Comic Strips]]
* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'': A RunningGag is Calvin having trouble learning to ride his bike, [[MrImagination which he imagines as a sentient, evil bike]]. Creator/BillWatterson [[WriteWhatYouKnow loved biking and shared that passion with Calvin's dad]], so [[UnnamedParent Dad]] was trying to share his passion with his son. The series BookEnds with Dad finally putting training wheels on the bike and Calvin finding peace with the dread machine.
[[AC:Literature]]
* In ''Literature/TheBerenstainBears'' book "The Bike Lesson", [[BumblingDad Papa Bear]] tries to teach Brother Bear (then named Small Bear, since Sister Bear wasn't born), how to ride a bike, but keeps goofing up. He saves face by [[IMeantToDoThat claiming]] that he was just [[AntiRoleModel giving him lessons on what not to do]].
* ''Literature/RamonaQuimby'': In "Ramona Forever", when Howie's uncle Hobart gives him a unicycle, Howie gives his bicycle away to Ramona. However, when she tries to ride it, she falls and cuts her knee.
[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
* Thanks to her HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood, Phoebe of ''Series/{{Friends}}'' never owned a bike. The B-Plot of [[Recap/FriendsS7E9TheOneWithAllTheCandy "The One With All the Candy"]] focuses on Ross's dismay that she never got to have that experience, and he buys her a bike. Then, realizing she doesn't know how to ride it, tries to teach her (Including the typical moment where he lets go and she's doing it on her own! Only she realizes he's not there any more and freaks out.). The episode ends with her happily riding her bike thanks to training wheels.
* The Rose family of ''Series/SchittsCreek'' are each and every one an UpperClassTwit, such that David and Alexis never learned to ride bikes (he freaked out so badly the family burned all of their bikes up at the Hamptons). Mutt buys Alexis a bike (because she missed her spin classes) and then he and Twyla spend the episode teaching her to ride. The episode ends with [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther Alexis teaching David]], too.
* On ''Series/DoctorWho'', Ryan has dyspraxia, a condition which impairs his coordination, and thus has never learned to ride a bike. [[{{Determinator}} He won't give up]], and as they bond, this cements the father-son dynamic with his step-grandfather, Graham.
* Niles and Series/{{Frasier}} Crane match the UpperClassTwit archetype, specifically the StereotypicalNerd variety, with neither having learned to ride, and get to spend an episode hilariously failing to do so.
* One episode of ''Series/MisterRogersNeighborhood'' features both Prince Tuesday and Ana Platypus learning how to ride from Handyman Negri.
* Kodi teaches Truly to ride on the TLC exploitation show ''Series/SisterWives''.
* ''Series/TedLasso'' inverts the father-son dynamic by having the son (Jamie) teach the father (Roy) how to ride a bike. The latter never learned because his grandfather promised to teach him shortly before he died. Realizing that never learning went against his grandfather's wishes sends Roy into a spiral before Jamie pulls him out of it.
* ''Series/SesameStreet'': Downplayed in one episode, in which Bert already knows how to ride his bike, but he must learn to ride it without training wheels.
* The ''Series/UltramanTaro'' episode, "Go Beyond the Ultra Brothers!" revolves around Taro's human host, Kotaro, befriending a young boy named Takeshi who's learning how to ride a bike, while dealing with the MonsterOfTheWeek, Tyrant. In fact, the climatic Ultra-vs-kaiju fight that caps the episode is inexplicably intercut with Takeshi struggling to maintain balance on his bike in the middle of a chaotic kaiju attack and pedaling to escape.
* ''Series/ModernFamily'': In "Slow Down Your Neighbors", Jay tries to teach his stepson how to ride a bike and learns that his wife, Gloria does not know to to ride a bike. He tries to teach her, but she ends up crashing into bushes multiple times.
* ''Series/CoryInTheHouse'': The subplot for "Just Desserts" has Victor trying to teach Sophie to ride a two-wheeler while [[OurPresidentsAreDifferent her father]] is out of the country. The episode ends with Sophie finally managing to stay steady thanks to the timely arrival of President Martinez... only for both men to realize she doesn't know how to stop.
* ''Series/FullHouse'': The episode "Easy Rider" has Joey teaching Michelle to ride a two-wheel bike. The main conflict involves Joey trying to regain Michelle's trust when he lets go after he promised not to, causing her to crash.
* ''Series/DesperateHousewives'': In season 5, Mike realizes that he doesn't spend enough time with his son MJ, so he buys him a bike to teach him how to ride. Unfortunately, MJ asks Susan's boyfriend Jackson to teach him instead.
* ''Series/FamilyMatters'': Steve Urkel's parents don't take up much time at all with him, so he asks neighbor Carl Winslow to teach him to ride a bike. Since Steve is extremely uncoordinated, HilarityEnsues as he can't control the handlebars or the pedals, tangling himself in the bike and/or falling off of it over and over and over...
[[AC: Web Video]]
* The eponymous ''WebVideo/ButteredSideDown'' learns how to ride a bike. [[BornUnlucky It doesn't go well.]]
* ''Series/BigTrain'' subverted this for BlackComedy: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaqxIXs_mn4 One sketch]] had Creator/SimonPegg attempting to teach his son to ride a bike. After trying, three times, to push the kid (or, rather, an obvious dummy) on the bike and having him simply flop over, then throwing kid and bike together into the bushes for some reason, he attaches training wheels... which somehow cause the kid to [[EpicFail burst into flames]].
-->''We'll try again, and this time... try not to go on fire.''
[[AC: Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'': "D.W. Rides Again" focuses on Arthur teaching his younger sister, D.W., how to ride her new bike in time for a biking event.
* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Bluey}}'' sees the eponymous Bluey learn to ride.
* The ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'' episode"[[Recap/BobsBurgersS8E18AsIWalkThroughTheAlleyOfTheShadowOfRamps As I Walk Through the Alley of the Shadow of Ramps]]" has Louise's family raise the question of whether Louise is getting too old for her beloved green tricycle, with Bob getting wistful at the notion of teaching another kid to ride a bike. Louise is initially adamant about giving up her "mean green machine," but when Alice the {{jerkass}} truck driver runs it over, Bob takes the opportunity to teach Louise to ride a two-wheeler.
* ''Literature/MillyMolly'': Not the books, but the cartoon has an episode called "Ride to School Day", in which everyone in the girls' class must bike to school for the eponymous day, but [[EmbarrassmentPlot Molly is the only one who doesn't know how, which embarrasses her]]. Milly and Mr. Limpy give her lessons, with the EpisodeTagline "believe in yourself".
* ''WesternAnimation/LittlePrincess'': In "I Want to Ride a Bicycle", the Princess wants to learn to ride a bike because her trike is slower than the King's bike. However, because she is only four, [[StatusQuoIsGod she never learns to ride it]] but [[BittersweetEnding she does have fun riding the back of the King's bike]].
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': In "Gerald's Secret", it is revealed that Gerald doesn't know how to ride a bicycle, and Arnold tries to teach him how.
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': "Ride Patrick Ride" centers on [=SpongeBob=] teaching Patrick how to ride a bike.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** Parodied in "Take My Wife, Sleaze", when Bart teaches Homer how to ride a motorcycle that he won, complete with training wheels on the rear.
** Also parodied in "My Mother the Carjacker", during a montage of Homer and [[MissingMom Mona]] making up for lost time. Unfortunately, he rides into an exit ramp coming out of the highway, cutting right before he collides with a semi-truck.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hilda}}:'' In "The Nightmare Spirit" it is revealed that Hilda never learnt how to ride a bike. She tells this secret to the Rat King, who tells her that the mysterious girl they have been seeing has been causing the nightmares of David. When Hilda challenges the girl, the marra to see if she could get scared by her nightmares, the Marra uses the previous secret to her advantage, and implements Hilda not knowing how to ride a bike in her nightmare. This scares Hilda, and the next morning, she asks her friends to teach her how to ride a bike.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose's Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose?s Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''[[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Star vs. the Forces of Evil]]'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
Another result is that learning to ride a bike has also become ubiquitous, such that it's a frequent cause for surprise to learn that a fellow adult hasn't yet learned how to ride a bike. Bikes, and the riding thereof, are so common that "It's like riding a bike." is a [[StockPhrases Stock Phrase]] for a skill that, once learned, can never really be forgotten.
As such, learning to ride a bike, or, more importantly, ''being taught'' how to ride a bike is a childhood milestone that crosses cultural boundaries. You learn to walk, you learn to ride, you learn to drive, you get your first kiss, [[OddLastItemIndex you rob your first convenience store]]... Some things just show up a lot in media.
Sitting on a bike isn't Administrivia/PeopleSitOnChairs because ''it's the first time''. It's a classic moment where children gain another bit of independence, putting literal physical distance between themselves and their parents. It's an achievement, earned through hard work and the real possibility of injury. You can expect to see joy from a child moving faster than they ever have before even as their parents weep.
This isn't just a moment for parents and children. Because it's so expected, it's a common plot point for an adult to teach a companion who never learned to ride. The result is that they get to teach their friend or romantic partner a valuable skill, providing a bonding moment (and probably some comedy) along with a little bit of freedom.
Useful Note: For their first rides, keep the seat low enough that the student's feet can reach the ground. Let them push themselves and balance themselves without the pedals until they get a feel for how the bike moves, balances itself, and turns. Then, when they're comfortable, raise the seat and let them get comfortable with the pedals and brakes as a separate exercise.
How common are bikes? HeroStoleMyBike, that's how common.
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[[AC:Comic Strips]]
* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'': A RunningGag is Calvin having trouble learning to ride his bike, [[MrImagination which he imagines as a sentient, evil bike]]. Creator/BillWatterson [[WriteWhatYouKnow loved biking and shared that passion with Calvin's dad]], so [[UnnamedParent Dad]] was trying to share his passion with his son. The series BookEnds with Dad finally putting training wheels on the bike and Calvin finding peace with the dread machine.
[[AC:Literature]]
* In ''Literature/TheBerenstainBears'' book "The Bike Lesson", [[BumblingDad Papa Bear]] tries to teach Brother Bear (then named Small Bear, since Sister Bear wasn't born), how to ride a bike, but keeps goofing up. He saves face by [[IMeantToDoThat claiming]] that he was just [[AntiRoleModel giving him lessons on what not to do]].
* ''Literature/RamonaQuimby'': In "Ramona Forever", when Howie's uncle Hobart gives him a unicycle, Howie gives his bicycle away to Ramona. However, when she tries to ride it, she falls and cuts her knee.
[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
* Thanks to her HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood, Phoebe of ''Series/{{Friends}}'' never owned a bike. The B-Plot of [[Recap/FriendsS7E9TheOneWithAllTheCandy "The One With All the Candy"]] focuses on Ross's dismay that she never got to have that experience, and he buys her a bike. Then, realizing she doesn't know how to ride it, tries to teach her (Including the typical moment where he lets go and she's doing it on her own! Only she realizes he's not there any more and freaks out.). The episode ends with her happily riding her bike thanks to training wheels.
* The Rose family of ''Series/SchittsCreek'' are each and every one an UpperClassTwit, such that David and Alexis never learned to ride bikes (he freaked out so badly the family burned all of their bikes up at the Hamptons). Mutt buys Alexis a bike (because she missed her spin classes) and then he and Twyla spend the episode teaching her to ride. The episode ends with [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther Alexis teaching David]], too.
* On ''Series/DoctorWho'', Ryan has dyspraxia, a condition which impairs his coordination, and thus has never learned to ride a bike. [[{{Determinator}} He won't give up]], and as they bond, this cements the father-son dynamic with his step-grandfather, Graham.
* Niles and Series/{{Frasier}} Crane match the UpperClassTwit archetype, specifically the StereotypicalNerd variety, with neither having learned to ride, and get to spend an episode hilariously failing to do so.
* One episode of ''Series/MisterRogersNeighborhood'' features both Prince Tuesday and Ana Platypus learning how to ride from Handyman Negri.
* Kodi teaches Truly to ride on the TLC exploitation show ''Series/SisterWives''.
* ''Series/TedLasso'' inverts the father-son dynamic by having the son (Jamie) teach the father (Roy) how to ride a bike. The latter never learned because his grandfather promised to teach him shortly before he died. Realizing that never learning went against his grandfather's wishes sends Roy into a spiral before Jamie pulls him out of it.
* ''Series/SesameStreet'': Downplayed in one episode, in which Bert already knows how to ride his bike, but he must learn to ride it without training wheels.
* The ''Series/UltramanTaro'' episode, "Go Beyond the Ultra Brothers!" revolves around Taro's human host, Kotaro, befriending a young boy named Takeshi who's learning how to ride a bike, while dealing with the MonsterOfTheWeek, Tyrant. In fact, the climatic Ultra-vs-kaiju fight that caps the episode is inexplicably intercut with Takeshi struggling to maintain balance on his bike in the middle of a chaotic kaiju attack and pedaling to escape.
* ''Series/ModernFamily'': In "Slow Down Your Neighbors", Jay tries to teach his stepson how to ride a bike and learns that his wife, Gloria does not know to to ride a bike. He tries to teach her, but she ends up crashing into bushes multiple times.
* ''Series/CoryInTheHouse'': The subplot for "Just Desserts" has Victor trying to teach Sophie to ride a two-wheeler while [[OurPresidentsAreDifferent her father]] is out of the country. The episode ends with Sophie finally managing to stay steady thanks to the timely arrival of President Martinez... only for both men to realize she doesn't know how to stop.
* ''Series/FullHouse'': The episode "Easy Rider" has Joey teaching Michelle to ride a two-wheel bike. The main conflict involves Joey trying to regain Michelle's trust when he lets go after he promised not to, causing her to crash.
* ''Series/DesperateHousewives'': In season 5, Mike realizes that he doesn't spend enough time with his son MJ, so he buys him a bike to teach him how to ride. Unfortunately, MJ asks Susan's boyfriend Jackson to teach him instead.
* ''Series/FamilyMatters'': Steve Urkel's parents don't take up much time at all with him, so he asks neighbor Carl Winslow to teach him to ride a bike. Since Steve is extremely uncoordinated, HilarityEnsues as he can't control the handlebars or the pedals, tangling himself in the bike and/or falling off of it over and over and over...
[[AC: Web Video]]
* The eponymous ''WebVideo/ButteredSideDown'' learns how to ride a bike. [[BornUnlucky It doesn't go well.]]
* ''Series/BigTrain'' subverted this for BlackComedy: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaqxIXs_mn4 One sketch]] had Creator/SimonPegg attempting to teach his son to ride a bike. After trying, three times, to push the kid (or, rather, an obvious dummy) on the bike and having him simply flop over, then throwing kid and bike together into the bushes for some reason, he attaches training wheels... which somehow cause the kid to [[EpicFail burst into flames]].
-->''We'll try again, and this time... try not to go on fire.''
[[AC: Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'': "D.W. Rides Again" focuses on Arthur teaching his younger sister, D.W., how to ride her new bike in time for a biking event.
* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Bluey}}'' sees the eponymous Bluey learn to ride.
* The ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'' episode"[[Recap/BobsBurgersS8E18AsIWalkThroughTheAlleyOfTheShadowOfRamps As I Walk Through the Alley of the Shadow of Ramps]]" has Louise's family raise the question of whether Louise is getting too old for her beloved green tricycle, with Bob getting wistful at the notion of teaching another kid to ride a bike. Louise is initially adamant about giving up her "mean green machine," but when Alice the {{jerkass}} truck driver runs it over, Bob takes the opportunity to teach Louise to ride a two-wheeler.
* ''Literature/MillyMolly'': Not the books, but the cartoon has an episode called "Ride to School Day", in which everyone in the girls' class must bike to school for the eponymous day, but [[EmbarrassmentPlot Molly is the only one who doesn't know how, which embarrasses her]]. Milly and Mr. Limpy give her lessons, with the EpisodeTagline "believe in yourself".
* ''WesternAnimation/LittlePrincess'': In "I Want to Ride a Bicycle", the Princess wants to learn to ride a bike because her trike is slower than the King's bike. However, because she is only four, [[StatusQuoIsGod she never learns to ride it]] but [[BittersweetEnding she does have fun riding the back of the King's bike]].
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': In "Gerald's Secret", it is revealed that Gerald doesn't know how to ride a bicycle, and Arnold tries to teach him how.
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': "Ride Patrick Ride" centers on [=SpongeBob=] teaching Patrick how to ride a bike.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** Parodied in "Take My Wife, Sleaze", when Bart teaches Homer how to ride a motorcycle that he won, complete with training wheels on the rear.
** Also parodied in "My Mother the Carjacker", during a montage of Homer and [[MissingMom Mona]] making up for lost time. Unfortunately, he rides into an exit ramp coming out of the highway, cutting right before he collides with a semi-truck.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hilda}}:'' In "The Nightmare Spirit" it is revealed that Hilda never learnt how to ride a bike. She tells this secret to the Rat King, who tells her that the mysterious girl they have been seeing has been causing the nightmares of David. When Hilda challenges the girl, the marra to see if she could get scared by her nightmares, the Marra uses the previous secret to her advantage, and implements Hilda not knowing how to ride a bike in her nightmare. This scares Hilda, and the next morning, she asks her friends to teach her how to ride a bike.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose's Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatNorth'': A minor subplot in "Cillian Me Softly Adventure" is Beef being assigned a bike to ride for Lone Moose?s Disaster Day simulation, much to his displeasure. This is because his parents were very neglectful and absent as he was growing up, so Beef never learned how to ride a bike or had anybody else to teach him. After he confesses this to his son-in-law Jerry (who was also assigned a bike for Disaster Day), Jerry teaches him how to ride a bike. By the end of the episode, Beef is able to ride his bike at a very slow pace and is enjoying himself.
* ''[[WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil Star vs. the Forces of Evil]]'': The whole plot of ''[[Recap/StarVsTheForcesOfEvilS2E5StarOnWheels Star on Wheels]]'' was for Star to learn how to ride a bike. Chaos ensues when Marco lets go before teaching her how to brake.
