this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2024
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[–] anti_antidote@lemmy.zip 30 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Actually, it's the bike's geometry rather than a gyroscopic effect. Try rolling a bike backwards rather than forward - it'll topple quickly

[–] Aceticon@lemmy.world 22 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, you're mostly right: Why bycicles stay upright.

There's some gyroscopic effect, but per that article it's not the main reason.

[–] Ferrous@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Yep. And it is an easy one to test. Just immobilize the bike's steering and see how well you can get it to balance.

[–] PraiseTheSoup@lemm.ee 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Freestyle BMX riders go in reverse all the time and they don't fall over.

[–] Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 0 points 2 months ago

A BMX bike without a rider will roll along happily. We called it "ghost riding" when I was a kid.