"Bunny hop" is a cycling trick that involves jumping both the front and rear wheels off the ground at the same time. This trick can let you hurl your bike through the air to avoid or jump over obstacles. The bunny hop jump is actually a combination of two moves, the front pull and the back jump, which you must master separately before combining them to perform the bunny hop. With a little practice, you'll quickly be able to do this bunny hop jump!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Mastering the Forward Pull
Step 1. Ride the bike at a low or medium speed and lean back slightly
From the original position sitting in the saddle, stand up while keeping both foot pedals parallel to the ground.
- Try to keep both elbows and knees relaxed and slightly bent, and bend over from the waist so that you are above the saddle, not behind the saddle.
- When standing, keep your head just above the front wheel.
Step 2. Immerse your weight into the front wheel, then pull the handlebars up with your arms
Take advantage of the momentum you gain from shifting the center of gravity to get the bike up.
When lifting up with your arms, press your feet into the pedals, and apply equal pressure to each pedal
Step 3. Lift the front wheel off the ground by pulling with both hands
Once the bike is lifted as high as possible by simply leaning back, pull it up with your arms until the bike lifts up, and you're standing on it.
Keep the balance of both pedals throughout this movement
Step 4. Slowly lower the wheel back to the ground
You can't be considered to have mastered the front pull until you can lower the front wheel in a controlled motion, instead of lowering the wheel to the ground.
Part 2 of 3: Doing the Back Leap
Step 1. Shift your weight forward
Do this quickly, but not so fast that you "throw" yourself forward and cause the bike to wobble.
Step 2. Quickly kick both heels up and lift both pedals up with your feet
Lift the pedals up so that your feet are almost vertical.
Step 3. Press both pedals back while pushing or straightening both legs up
Your feet will make a back-shocking motion. The pressure you apply to the pedals with your feet horizontal will keep your feet on the bike as you lift the back of the bike up with the strength of your leg muscles.
Step 4. Use leg muscle strength to lift the rear wheel off the ground
Lift your shoulders and push the handlebars forward as you do this.
Step 5. Slowly lower the rear wheel to the ground
As with the front pull, you can't be considered mastering the rear jump until you can properly lower the rear wheel, rather than slamming it to the ground.
Part 3 of 3: Combining Forward Pull and Back Leap
Step 1. Perform the movement to start the front pull
While doing this, shift the balance of your weight to the ground via the rear wheel. This will give a slight "bounce" to the rear wheel to help you lift when moving into the rear jump motion.
Lift the front wheel to its maximum height before moving on to the next part of the movement
Step 2. Quickly kick both heels up and lift both pedals up with your feet
Once the front wheel is lifted, kick your heel up so that your feet are almost vertical.
Step 3. Re-press both pedals while pushing or straightening both legs up
Point your toes up and then push back with your feet, "scooping" back. Use a push/pull motion to lift the rear wheel (while the front wheel is still up).
The pressure you apply to the pedals with your feet horizontal will keep your feet on the bike as you lift the back of the bike up with the strength of your leg muscles
Step 4. Lift your shoulders and push the handlebars forward
You'll do this in tandem with your back scooping motion with your foot, producing a movement that's similar to a gear shift.
Try to stay focused on the technique instead of thinking about the speed of the bike when doing the bunny hop jump
Step 5. Equalize the height of the two wheels in the air
Bend your legs while in the air for a more interesting bunny hop jump. Always remember that it is an important habit to equalize your bicycle wheels when you start bunny hops to higher ground.
Step 6. Lower the rear wheel first to the ground
This will stabilize the landing and make it easier to control the bike immediately after landing. Make a front-wheel-first landing only when you need to gain immediate front-wheel control and traction, such as when you need to turn immediately after making a jump.
- Practice on grass before trying it on paving or other hard ground.
- If you think you're going to fall during a bunny hop jump, try falling on uphill ground and on grass for a softer landing.
Step 7. Do the bunny hop exercise jumping over various obstacles
The bunny hop jump is a trick in cycling, but it's also a very useful move to avoid or jump over obstacles in front of you while cycling.
Set the hurdles to practice bunny hop jumps, starting at 15 centimeters and increasing each time you feel capable of jumping over each obstacle
Step 8. Experiment by lifting both wheels at the same time when jumping over various obstacles
This is an additional technique that includes jumping, just as you would when you jump on the ground without a bicycle, whereas for this jump, you do it on the pedals.
- Jump while turning the bicycle handlebars forward, but don't let your feet off the pedals.
- If you can keep both feet on the pedals and jump, the back of the bike will lift.
- Then lift the front at the same time with the wheels. You will lift it without pedaling.
Tips
- Choose an obstacle with an appropriate height when jumping over it. Start at a low altitude and increase the height.
- If you want to jump really high, you'll need to practice the technique, and make sure you slip the raised rear wheel under you. Keep practicing!
- The lighter the bike, the easier it will be to make bunny hop jumps. Get rid of unnecessary heavy objects on the bike and your body when training.
- The first time you do this trick, do it on grass rather than paving until you feel like you've mastered it.
- Try practicing on a lightweight bike. Start jumping on a small bike. The difference in weight and movement is very important for the initial jump.
- Always wear a helmet and elbow/knee protection when cycling.
