Slalom and Narrow Lane: Handlebar Control

A technical circuit for handlebar control: slalom, narrow lane and figure eights. It's the foundation for dodging obstacles and riding narrow bike lanes.

How to play

1. Easy ride and quick ABC check in pairs (4 min).
2. Wide slalom with cones 3 m apart, looking at the next cone, not the wheel (6 min).
3. 40 cm wide, 10 m long chalk lane: ride it without touching the lines (6 min).
4. Figure eight around two cones and ride under an arch of poles held by classmates at a safe height (6 min).
5. Linked circuit: slalom, lane and figure eight; your partner counts mistakes and you try to beat it (8 min).

Rules

• Eyes up: look where you want to go.
• One bike per station; the next rider waits outside.
• Whoever holds the pole arch keeps it high and still.
• Putting a foot down when needed is fine; it's not a big fault.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with low vision: lane lines boosted with colored tape and tall cones.
• Students with limited mobility who don't pedal: ride the circuit in a wheelchair or on a hand-propelled scooter board if available.
• Unsure riders: walk the circuit pushing the bike by the handlebars.

Learning goals

• Steer precisely at low speed.
• Look ahead to plan your line.
• Self-assess improvement using a partner's data.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bicycles: 15
• helmets: 30
• cones: 30
• chalk: 4
• poles: 6

Teacher tip

Run the stations clockwise so nobody crosses paths. Students bring bikes with a signed permission slip, or borrow them from the city or local police; if you are short, pairs take turns.

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