What type of memory is primarily engaged when riding a bike becomes easy after practice?

When riding a bike becomes easy after practice, it primarily involves procedural memory. Procedural memory is a type of long-term memory that enables individuals to perform tasks without conscious awareness of the previous experiences that led to that skill acquisition. Skills like riding a bike, which require coordination and muscle memory, are typically learned through repetition and practice, allowing the brain to automate these actions over time.

In contrast, explicit memory encompasses memories that can be consciously recalled, such as facts or events, and includes both semantic and episodic memory. Semantic memory pertains to facts and general knowledge about the world, while episodic memory involves personal experiences and specific events. None of these types of memory apply as directly to the learned physical skill of riding a bike, which is fundamentally based on muscle coordination and automatic responses developed through practice and repetition.