How to Ride a Reverse Steering Bicycle

Remember what it was like to ride the fixed gear bicycle for the first time? The reverse bicycle poses several balance, steering, and control issues for the first time rider that you have not experienced since you were a kid. Dont give up on it just because it feels weird. Because of a reverse drive train and some crafty geometry, you're in for a whole new experience.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A reverse steering bicycle
• Helmet
• Lights for night riding

1. Remember that your steering is-quite simply-backwards. Getting into a kayak with foot pedals, or playing some of those old video games with reverse steering is a good place to start retraining your brain. When you get into an emergency, you need to be confident you remember that its all backwards.

2. Take your bike to a parking lot, cemetery or anywhere that you can ride slowly and safely without being disturbed. Wear your helmet.

3. Because the drive train is up front, you are actually steering using a wheel where most of your bodyweight sits. Counteract falls by steering exceedingly cautiously at first so that your body learns how to balance on the bike while its steering. This is much like the day you learned to ride the bike and you have to take baby steps.

4. Practice going over curbs, fast stops, slow stops, hard and soft turns. Emergency situations should be practiced as safely as possible before hitting the open road but do so as safely as you can.

Tips & Warnings

• On a rear-wheel drive bicycle you hardly ever move the handlebars when your riding, and if you do its only fractions of a turn. Keep that in mind for your reverse bicycle even though you cant see the wheel turning.
• Steering is in reverse, and when you crank on the handlebars, it will steer your bike HARD in the opposite direction.
• Movement of the back wheel will have greater effect on your bicycle than on a rear-wheel drive bicycle.
• Always wear a helmet and use lights at night.
• Be cautious of cars around you and ride as if they cant see you.
• Do not ride your reverse bicycle in traffic until you are POSITIVE you understand its turning radius and balance.
• Never ride two to a bike.

Resources

• Bicycle Safe

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[souplinedave]

on 10/31/2009 AS YOU CAN TELL...I WORKED FOR THE CARNIVAL.
AND IT ONLY TOOK ME ABOUT 45MINS. TO LEARN HOW TO RIDE IT (EASY)

[souplinedave]

on 10/31/2009 WELL...ITS EASY I HAD TWO OF THEM AND COULD RIDE THEM ANTWHERE AS FAR AS YOU WANT TO GO
I'LL GIVE YOU 2 TRIES FOR $5..START WITH BACK TIRE ON LINE AND WHEN BACK TIRE PASSES 10' LINE(FINISH LINE) I'L GIVE YOU $50

[qwest4]

on 6/27/2009 I am looking for plans on a reverse steering bicycle, but I don't mean one that steers from the rear. I mean one that appears as a regular bicycle, but when you steer it left , the fork goes to the right, and steer to the right and it goes left. I have seen these before and want to build one as a project with my son. I understand the concept, but would like to know how it is done and where can I get the gears . I am thinking it needs to be made from an old style preferably single speed bike that can be easily cut and welded. This is for novelty purpose. Thanx

[boogie]

on 3/21/2008 hi could anybody help me in how to build a reverse geared steering bike, like where to purchase the gears thanks

[boogie]

on 3/20/2008 hi anybody know where i can purchase a reversed geared steering bicycle or any body like to build me one thanku boogie