Why don't bikes fall down?

Ithaca’s Science Cabaret was inspired by the Cafe Scientifique movement, which started in Europe in the late 1990’s and has spread rapidly. Cafes Scientifiques are informal talks in bars, cafes and other public venues that give like-minded people a chance to discuss current and sometimes controversial topics in science.

Science Cabaret

Join us for a lively demonstration and discussion with Andy Ruina. Tickets include appetizers and a complimentary glass of wine/non-alcoholic beverage.
You can balance a bike with hands on the handlebars. Or off. And, surprising if you haven't seen it, a bike can balance itself, with no person touching it. When viewed from the back, a bicycle looks like a stick balanced on end. If it tips a little, gravity pulls it down more. So, a bike should 'want' to fall over. Why doesn't it? 
There are famous popular theories going back over 100 years, some by famous people. Maybe, the spinning wheels are like a top or gyroscope? Maybe it's the steering geometry (lean, rake, trail, etc.)?  But, new experiments show that these ideas are (mostly) wrong.  Some of the bike ideas are related to how people don't fall when they walk, and how to make better walking robots.
Then know better why you don't fall down on your way home.
Advance tickets:
$5 Members 
$8 Non-Members
At the door:
$8 Members
$10 Non-Members

Sciencenter

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Why don't bikes fall down?

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