when you ride a bicycle at full speed and the bike stops suddenly, why do you have to push hard on the handle bars to keep from flying forward?
If nothing pushes you backwards, you will keep on going and fly over the handlebars. The bike seat alone cannot apply enough static friction to decelerate you suddenly.
When riding a bicycle at full speed and suddenly coming to a stop, you might have to push hard on the handlebars to prevent yourself from flying forward due to a phenomenon called inertia.
Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. When you are riding a bicycle at full speed, your body, including your upper torso, gains momentum and tries to continue moving forward with the same speed and direction. However, when the bike suddenly stops, the lower part of your body connected to the bicycle comes to a halt, but your upper body wants to keep moving forward due to its inertia.
To counteract this forward motion, you instinctively push hard on the handlebars. This action applies a force in the opposite direction, which helps to create a torque that counteracts the forward momentum of your upper body. By pushing on the handlebars, you essentially transfer the force to the front wheel and the ground, providing an opposing force to the forward motion. This helps to stabilize your body and prevent you from being thrown off the bike.
It's important to note that keeping a firm grip on the handlebars and pushing against them is necessary to maintain balance and control during such sudden stops. Proper technique and control play a crucial role in preventing accidents and injuries.