Random bike #5 -
Reverse steering bike

Posted on January 26, 2009

Here’s a bike that steers in the opposite direction of the handlebar. Turn right, and the front wheel goes left - and vice versa. The gear on the handlebar stem is also larger, amplifying the tiny mistakes you make on an otherwise counterintuitive setup.

These photos were taken during an exhibition in the Tulip Festival in Ottawa. The exhibitor offered to challenge anyone to cycle on the bike for a set distance. I paid $5 for three tries. I didn’t make it.

He managed to cycle smoothly in circles, which I’m guessing took a lot of practice. But he claimed that three people managed to do it within the three tries. I don’t believe it!