Why you never forget how to ride a bike

Some people naturally remember how to ride a bicycle, even after years or decades since their last ride. This phenomenon is due to procedural memory, a type of long-term memory that helps us retain knowledge of tasks that become automatic, such as playing guitar or swimming.

In a recent study, experts have explained that the human brain processes and stores different types of memories in distinct pathways. While remembering a skill like cycling may seem similar to recalling facts or personal experiences, they are actually stored differently in the brain.

The axiom “like riding a bike” reflects the resilience of procedural memory, which relies on brain structures like the basal ganglia and the cerebellum. These regions ensure that once a skill is learned, it becomes hardwired in the brain but still allows for adaptability to different conditions, such as riding different types of bicycles.

While there isn’t a wealth of research specifically focusing on how we remember to ride a bicycle, studies on procedural memory have shown that repetition and practice are key to forming and maintaining these memories. Neurologists and psychologists have designed experiments to test procedural memory using new skills, demonstrating the brain’s ability to adapt and strengthen neural pathways over time.

Despite the lack of direct research on cycling and memory, scientists have found links between procedural memory and improved cognitive performance. While the phrase “like riding a bike” remains a popular way to describe a skill that’s hard to forget, the science behind why we retain some memories more than others sheds light on the complexities of human memory.

As we continue to learn and develop new skills throughout our lives, our ability to form procedural memories remains active and adaptable. The next time you hop on a bike, take a moment to appreciate the unconscious recall abilities of your brain, even if you can’t remember where you’re headed.