How Do You Ride A Recumbent Bicycle?
A recumbent bike is any bike where the rider is in a reclined position. These bikes are more comfortable to ride[1] (once you get used to it!) and faster because of reduced wind resistance.[2] However, there’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to balancing, starting, stopping and maneuvering a recumbent bike (as there is with an upright bike) but once you nail it down, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t riding them! • Find a clear, level space, free of obstacles and traffic. Choose a surface that is paved, rather than loose material such as dirt or gravel, which can slip. Try an empty parking lot or wide, quiet side street. • Beginners will probably find it difficult to start on an uphill slope. Get comfortable riding before starting uphill. • Put the bike in a low or medium gear. If you have hub gears, you can change the gear while coasting or standing still (just release pressure from the pedals before moving the shifter). With derailleur gears, you may have to dismount and c
• Find a clear, level space, free of obstacles and traffic. Choose a surface that is paved, rather than loose material such as dirt or gravel, which can slip. Try an empty parking lot or wide, quiet side street. • Beginners will probably find it difficult to start on an uphill slope. Get comfortable riding before starting uphill. • Put the bike in a low or medium gear. If you have hub gears, you can change the gear while coasting or standing still (just release pressure from the pedals before moving the shifter). With derailleur gears, you may have to dismount and change gears while turning the pedals. It will help to have an assistant for this process, since you will either need to wheel the bike along or lift the drive wheel up. • Mount the bike and sit with both feet in the ground and your hands on the handlebars. On under-seat-steering recumbents, place your legs to the front of the seat and to the left and right respectively of the main boom. • Adjust the seat to your height. Desi
