Q&A for How to Ride No Handed on a Bike

Tilt your knees slightly towards the opposite side to counteract the turn.

Yes. If you are on a two-wheeled bike and go too slow, you will fall. You won't necessarily hurt yourself, but the bike will fall.

You're learning. Going faster will help you maintain your balance better.

Once you can ride streets smoothly no-handed, you could try. Keep the bike on a low gear, and be cautious!

Start by taking one hand off. Once you are comfortable with that you can rest both hands very lightly on the handlebars so just your fingertips touching but not holding. Then slowly take one hand off and then the second when you are comfortable.

It starts with balance, but no-handedness is trickier. You have to maintain balance not only on the bike, but you must put your mass as close to the center of the bike as possible (don't lean forwards or backwards). Turning and pedaling without hands requires even more balance. Readjusting your bike by lowering/raising the seat can always help if you feel uncomfortable while biking without hands.

My best advice would be to keep at it. Squeeze the frame with your legs and try not to shake.

If you're not experienced in taking your hands off the bike, then I would say it is, yes.

Yes, if you can already ride no handed on roads, as the smooth surface of the road makes it easier.

Basically, no. While the gyroscopic effect that keeps you upright is stronger on a bike with 26 inch wheels versus the 20 inch wheels of most BMX wheels, the fact that your center of gravity is lower effectively offsets that difference in gyroscopic force from a bigger wheeled bicycle. So in short, you should not experience any noticeable difference between a BMX bike and a mountain or road bike.

Yes, it is possible for someone to ride a bike with no hands or feet, but it would be challenging. Use all of the tips for riding a bike no handed, but you would have to lift your feet off of the pedals. This is a lot harder and I do not recommend you try this since riding a bike no handed is already really difficult. No hands or feet sounds dangerous.

Yes. You have to maintain enough velocity for the bike to travel straight without the wheel turning.

I'm 12, and this can definitely be done, as long as you practice and keep at it. It will not come easily/instantly; if your bike has gears, put it into the lowest gear and drive at a medium/low speed. Pull the handlebars up as hard as you can without falling and continue to pedal as much as you can while constantly pulling up like you are in a rocking chair.

You can use your knees if you're especially skilled. It might take you a while to get the hang of it, so be careful.

Probably grass, however if you find it hard to pedal or speed up try to get over your fear and move to the an open area of concrete.

Try stretching your arms out and making sure you are up to a good speed. You should extend your arms out to the side for the same reason that tightrope walkers sometimes carry long poles in front of them, to stabilize their center of gravity. Being at a higher speed will help the wheel remain stable, since the gyroscopic force called "precession" (see Wikipedia's article on it) which automatically corrects a spinning object (like a wheel) from tipping, is more powerful at a higher speed. Still, make sure you can easily return your hands to the handlebars in case you are about to fall, and make sure you aren't going so fast that you can't stop if you need to.

It would be wise not to, because your pet could get hurt if you slip up. Even if you are experienced, it is still not a good idea. Riding with a pet in the basket is dangerous even with both hands on the handlebars, and is not recommended.

Keeping the legs still is easier. But by pedaling, you can gain more speed, which is best for no-hand riding, as it's easier to balance. But be safe!

You can learn to turn when gain experience. Until then, keep practicing on going straight. To turn, shift your weight to the sides.