Leaning into Turns

Bicycles, balance and countersteering

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• A leaning rider balances in a turn when $\tan\theta = v^2/(gr)$.
• Bikes self-stabilise mainly by steering into a fall; gyroscopic effects help.
• Countersteering: steer briefly the wrong way to start the lean.

Steps

1. Why lean?
2. Find the corner
3. Why bikes stay up
4. Countersteering
5. Leaning on a corner
6. A racing lean