Week 16: Overcoming Fear is #BetterByBicycle

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This weekend, my ride buddies, who also happened to be my students, seem to be busy with their academics, only one student joined me. Actually there was another one who confirmed to join but failed to show up because he woke up late. But that didn't discourage me from pushing the weekend ride, I always welcome change of plans. I had to change route because the student who joined me was taking it slow on the road. She got involved in a motorcycle accident a couple of years ago, it fractured her collarbone and for a while, she didn't ride a two wheeler out of fear. I was her class adviser then when the accident happened, the academic calendar had just ended, but I saw her a couple of times with her mother and sister.  I am aware of the suffering she went through from that accident. Back then, I thought she would take a break from schooling, I was happy to see her back after the summer break.

I followed her pace to make sure that she stayed on the inner lane. It was probably the slowest ride I had. It took us about an hour to finish a 6 km ride. But slow ride is not bad at all. We chatted while pedaling - about her classmates who ditched us, their internship, and overcoming her fear after recovering from the accident. I mostly ask questions about her process. She said that she couldn't ride for a year out of fear, but her mother encouraged her to snap out of it, and slowly she did. She just take the wheel one day at a time, she said she still couldn't get back to her previous pace, the fear is still there but she is slowly getting used on the road again. She mostly ride the motorcycle but she joins our weekend ride to strengthen her legs. I told her that it's better to ditch the motorcycle and shift to cycling on the road, it's a better way to fully overcome her fear. 


A bicycle offers a better way to regain trust in ourselves and our ability to ride. Unlike a motorcycle, a bike moves at a slower pace, allowing us to feel more in control. Starting with short, easy rides in a safe environment will help rebuild our confidence. Each successful ride is a reminder that movement is still possible, that balance can be regained, and that fear does not have to dictate our actions.  As we become comfortable on a bicycle, the fear begins to loosen its grip. The wind in our face, the steady rhythm of pedaling, and the freedom of movement replaces anxiety with empowerment. We can start focusing less on what went wrong in the past and attend more on the joy of the present. The bicycle becomes a tool not just for transportation but also for healing. 

The truth is, our fear won't completely disappear, instead, we learn how to manage it. The key is to keep moving forward. When cycling, the moment you stop pedaling, you risk losing balance - the same goes with life. Overcoming fear, specially after a traumatic episode is not an easy process, but with each bike ride, no matter how slow and short, is a proof that we are stronger than our fears. For me, a bicycle ride is a reminder that I’ve conquered uncertainty before—and I can definitely do it again.

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