How to Perform Tricks on a Bike

Bike riding offers a variety of benefits, not the least of which is fresh air and exercise. But amazing your friends or entertaining yourself with tricks on your bike opens up a whole new level of experience. Mastering BMX tricks will get your adrenaline flowing and better your understanding of motion and balance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Bounce your front tire while riding by grabbing the handle bars and giving them a quick jerk. Let the handle bars meet your stomach, then push them back to the original position. The faster you're traveling, the easier it is to maintain your balance during this trick.
2. Ride with your front tire in the air by gaining speed and pulling up on the handle bars until they meet your chest. Lean back slightly to maintain your balance and ride as long as you can, holding the front tire in the air. A steady rate of speed makes this easier. The more you practice, the longer you'll be able to ride on the back tire alone.
3. Bunny Hop the bike. Lift the front tire by pulling on the handle bars. As the front tire comes up, pull the back tire off of the ground by using your legs to jerk it up. Allow the front to return to the ground and then the back will follow. This trick is easier to learn when riding slowly.
4. Try the BMX 180 trick once you've mastered the Bunny Hop. Pull the front tire off of the ground but only partially lift the back tire. Then, remove your weight from the back tire but leave it on the ground. Once the weight is off of the back tire, quickly whip the handle bars so the front of the bike spins in a half circle, completing a 180 degree turn.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear a bike helmet and protective pads to prevent injury. Such precautions are even more important when learning to master a new trick.
• Practice learning BMX tricks on a flat and level surface, preferably where there's no traffic. Try an empty parking lot or a school playground when classes are not in session.