How do bicycles stay up?

[Oilit]

You may have heard that physics still hasn't explained how a bumblebee flies. Turns out there's also still some questions on exactly how a bicycle stays upright. This is interesting once you get past the advertisements.

 

[biggermustache]

I made a video about this topic for the Children's Museum last year. It is truly fascinating!

 

[SirMike1983]

The single most important thing is the belief and knowledge that you will stay upright. This is why teaching children to ride bicycles is important - the learning that if you constantly tell yourself "I'm going to fall", then you will fall. When they start pedaling and actually get into the mindset of "I can do this: I will stay up and not fall", that's when they start to ride without training wheels. The reason you never really forget how to ride is because it's a feel and a mindset of knowing you are capable of it. The physics of it are interesting, but from a pragmatic standpoint, a lot of it is "in your head".

 

[Sven]

Thanks for sharing @Oilit .

 

[phantom]

I could only watch into about 2 1/2 minutes before my ears started to bleed. I could ride a floor lamp if it had wheels on it.

 

[AndyA]

Excellent video!

The single most important thing is the belief and knowledge that you will stay upright.

I might name my next build "Placebo."

 

[bricycle]

an object in motion tends to stay in motion... perpetual motion?

 

[BOB LOBLAW]

The real question is how can you ride a unicycle?

 

[Oilit]

an object in motion tends to stay in motion... perpetual motion?

Build a frictionless bicycle and you could coast forever. Theoretically.

 

[bricycle]

"How do bicycles stay up?" Viag my wifes snoring keeps me up.