I’ve seen two definitions for “counter-steering” as it applies to riding bicycles.

1) Initiating a turn by turning the wheel in the opposite direction to the direction of turn, either as a means to force the bike to lean in the direction of the turn (makes sense), or as an add to gain traction in the turn (may only apply to 4-wheeled vehicels)

e.g. turning the bars slightly to the right just before turning left

2) Applying extra force to the the handlebars on the same side as the turn

e.g. Putting weight on the left side of the bars to turn left.


The first of these makes more sense, because it is literally steering in the opposite (counter) direction to the intended turn. I have read that this is in fact essential to making the turn, because the bike can only turn left if it is inclined to the left, and this is most easily achieved by turning the bars slightly to the right so that the bike “slips to the left” causing the the frame to incline.

However, I also find that applying weight on the inside side of the bars helps execute the turn by counteracting the centripetal force that makes the bike want to continue straight.

Which is correct, or are both part of the same process?

Thanks!