TBI survivor to ride 5 Boro Bike Tour after relearning to ride

She’s back in the cyclist’s seat.

A former school bus driver will be burning rubber across the Big Apple this weekend as part of the 5 Boro Bike Tour — marking a major milestone since a traumatic brain injury forced the avid cyclist to learn to ride all over again.

Patricia Hochhauser is more eager to ride over the curvature of the Verrazano Bridge than the finish line, saying the iconic bridge that looms over her native Dyker Heights serves as a reminder of the rider she was before her terrifying scooter crash.

“That would be like I accomplished something — ‘I survived, I made it,’” Patricia, 56, told The Post ahead of the 40-mile race.

The Sunday tour around the Big Apple lands on the 19-month anniversary of the day Patricia’s life changed forever.

She and her husband, Harold, have been avid cyclists throughout their 16-year relationship, typically hitting the pavement up to five times per week — but they always left their helmets at home.

They were testing out their new electric scooter on Oct. 4, 2024, in a parking lot near their home when Patricia suddenly lost control and smashed headfirst into the ground, landing her with a subdural hematoma, concussion and a wound that required 15 staples.

The Brooklynite’s head trauma came with brain fog and severe vertigo that made it nearly impossible to walk, forcing her to acquire a home health aide to complete tasks as simple as using the bathroom.

Patricia’s memory was fuzzy, with vacations, family members’ faces and other details slipping from her brain — but one thing she easily recalled was her love of cycling.

After 6 months and several rounds of treatment, Patricia’s doctor gave the green light to get back on the bike, but she needed to learn how to ride all over again.

Harold — whom Patricia called her “superpower” — put training wheels on her trusty bicycle and ran alongside her as she slowly peddled.

“The training wheels were just to make her feel comfortable because things can happen so quickly. I also bought her the number one-rated helmet at the time! Safety all the way,” Harold said.

Patricia was overcome with emotion, saying she cried when she got back on the bike.

“I always enjoyed riding my bike. I always enjoyed that activity with my husband and I didn’t want to lose it. I wanted to get it back,” she said.

Some people pointed and giggled, and at least one young girl asked Patricia why an adult needed the wheels — and the Brooklynite seized the opportunity to talk about the dangers of not wearing a helmet.

Although physically healed, Patricia continues to suffer “brain zaps” that wake her in the middle of the night, intense vertigo and memory issues.

“That poor decision I’m still paying for,” said Patricia. “Who knows if I’ll ever get my memory back? Who knows if I’ll ever be normal? I always tell my husband I didn’t die that day, but part of me did.”

It was only one month before the training wheels came off — and six months later, Patricia and Harold tackled the 50-mile Tour de Yonkers ride.

While the 5 Boro ride is shorter, the race has emotional ties for the Hochhausers, who have spent countless rides on the path beneath the Verrazano Bridge.

“I’m going to show up there at the starting line with my helmet, number one, my enthusiasm and my husband. Because I know if I can’t make it up that bridge, he’s going to be there to help me, like he’s been through the whole thing,” said Patricia.

Harold has no doubt his wife can handle the steep bridge, adding: “My wife’s a fighter, and I know she’s going to be able to do it.”