Track stand

[4] Commuters and bike messengers use it while stopped in traffic, especially at red lights,[1] mountain bikers use it in difficult terrain to determine a path and BMX cyclists use it in preparation for tricks.

[4] A cyclist executing a basic track stand holds the bicycle's cranks in a horizontal position, with their dominant foot forward.

[4] Where no such uphill exists, or even if the gradient is downhill, a track stand can be achieved on a freewheeling bicycle by using a brake to initiate a backwards movement.

If a fixed-gear bicycle is being used, an uphill slope is not needed since the rider is able to simply back pedal to move backwards.

More difficult variations, mostly for show or track stand competitions, involve complications such as putting the non-dominant foot forward, sitting down, or taking one or both hands off the handlebars.