Turning Safely On Your Bicycle

For many new cyclists turning their bicycles can be a scary thing especially when it’s around a sharp or a steep corner. This doesn’t have to be a scary maneuver however and with a bit of practice and some time you’ll be so good at it you wont’ even notice the corners anymore.

The first thing to be aware of when you’re turning a corner no matter how sharp or steep it may or may not be is to watch for what kind of terrain you’re turning on. Rocks, sand, pebbles, gravel, and dirt can all cause you to slip which can turn into a very dangerous accident (especially if you’re a fan of riding in canyons or on trails). Become familiar with turning on different types of terrain so you know how much speed you can handle and how to stay safe while turning.

It’s also important to be aware of any weather conditions that might impede your turning. Rain and snow and ice can all be very dangerous when riding your bicycle so be sure to watch out for anything that could cause an accident. Also be aware that even if something only looks a little when it could still pose a hazard. The rain and snow can make certain parts of the road (like manhole covers and fresh asphalt) very slippery and can create adverse road conditions like mud that can cause problems for you too. Watch the weather and ride your bike accordingly.

Just like when you drive your car it’s important to know when to brake and when to accelerate as you turn. You should ideally do all your braking before a turn and try not to peddle in the corner. It’s also very important that you be aware of your weight distribution as you turn. Keep the weight to the outside as you turn and you can even apply some counter steering with your hands and create some angulation as if you were skiing. As you turn you should also be leaning your bike, not your body but your bike, into the turn which can be accomplished with some basic counter steering. The sharper the turn or the more your speed increases the father in you should be leaning your bicycle and the less sharp it is the less you’ll need to lean your bike in.

It’s also wise to remember that you don’t have to stay in a specific curve as you turn. If you move from one side of your lane to the other do so gradually and always maintain a good balance on your bike to prevent yourself from tipping over.

Finally it’s very important that you always make sure you look when your want to go. If you find yourself looking down at the ground or off of a steep slope make sure you quite that because that’s exactly where you’ll end up. Focus on the path you want your bicycle to take and keep your eyes on it as you ride. This will help you turn better and more safely.

Turning sharp corners doesn’t have to be frightening or painful - just follow these tips and you’ll do just fine.