Read this first
Letting go of the handlebar is a risky skill. You lose direct access to the brakes and most of your steering, and falls can hurt. Wear a helmet and suitable protection, practise only on a flat, smooth, traffic-free area with nobody nearby, and move forward in very small steps. Nothing here guarantees that you will manage it or stay uninjured. If you have not yet settled the basics, the broader background on balance and speed is in the hub article on riding with no hands; this page is the drill list.
Setup checks
Run through these before the first roll, and again if you change anything.
- Helmet: snug, level on the head, strap fastened. For fit and replacement after impact, see choosing a helmet.
- Gloves and pads: optional but sensible, especially for hands and knees.
- Bike: tyres firm, handlebar tight, saddle not wobbling. A short pre-ride bike check and a brake test are worth the minute they take.
- Saddle: at your normal height so your pedalling is comfortable. A saddle that is too low or too high makes you fidget.
- Place: a large, flat, empty car park or closed path. No slopes, no gravel, no puddles, no pedestrians.
The drills
Keep each drill dull and comfortable before starting the next. Several short sessions usually work better than one long one.
Drill 1: Ride tall and relaxed
Ride in a straight line at an easy, steady pace. Lift your chest, look well ahead rather than at the wheel, and let your shoulders drop. Loosen your grip until you hold the bar lightly.
Check: can you ride a long straight line with a light grip and no wobble? If not, stay here. Our article on how to ride a bike in a straight line covers this stage.
Drill 2: Hover one hand
Lift one hand a few centimetres off the grip, keeping it ready to return. Swap hands on the next lap.
Check: does the bike hold its line, and do you feel calm? If the bar twitches or you tense up, go back to Drill 1.
Drill 3: Slide your hands in towards the stem
Rest your hands near the centre of the bar for a few seconds, close to the stem, with your fingers close to the brake levers. This reduces the leverage of your hands on the steering and helps you feel how little input is needed.
Check: do you still feel in control with your hands this close? Note that your brake lever position and how you cover the brakes matter here.
Drill 4: Two fingers, then a thumb
Hold the bar with only two fingers on each side, then one finger on each side. You are teaching your body to steer with weight rather than grip.
Check: is your upper body quiet, with no jerking? If you notice you are leaning on the bar for support, you are not ready to release it.
Drill 5: Release one hand for a count of one
Take one hand off, count “one”, and put it back. Alternate sides over several laps. This is the same skill that helps with signalling, covered in our guide to riding with one hand.
Check: does the bike stay nearly straight while the hand is away? Stop if it veers.
Drill 6: Release both hands briefly
Only when Drill 5 feels boring should you let both hands rise a little and return them to the bar after a second. Keep your head up and your body centred, with the bar a short reach away. If you need to steer, make slight shifts of your hips or knees rather than grabbing.
Check: can you place both hands back on the bar calmly and without a swerve? Do not lengthen the time until you can.
Drill 7: Add a second at a time
If you choose to go further, extend the gap by a second at a time, over many sessions, keeping the steady pace you used. There is no target number, and many riders stop at a brief moment.
When to stop
Stop and go back a drill, or finish for the day, if you notice any of these:
- Your grip is tightening, or your arms feel stiff.
- The bike wobbles or veers more than it did earlier.
- You are tired, distracted, cold or in a hurry.
- The surface or weather changes, or someone walks into the area.
- You have had a fall or a scare. Rest, check yourself and the bike, and do not rush back.
If you do fall, the habits in how to fall off a bike more safely and bailing out can help limit the damage. Cuts, a sore wrist or a knock to the head deserve proper attention, and medical advice if anything is worrying.
What this tutorial does not cover
Combining no hands with other tricks, such as taking your feet off the pedals, is not a step on this list. Those are separate and riskier skills. Riding with closed eyes is something not to attempt at all, as our article on riding eyes closed explains. If you want to progress beyond a few seconds on flat ground, a qualified instructor at a skills park will teach it more safely than a written list.