Science Says I’ve Been Jumping My Bike Wrong For 30 Years

We took a bicycle and a kicker ramp to the biomechanics lab at Appalachian State University, and used science to jump higher. Thanks to 50x50 for helping fund this North Carolina episode.

50x50: Science Across America is a national series uncovering exceptional science in all 50 states. It is presented by the Independent Media Initiative, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Winn Family Foundation. See all the states at 5050science.com

Special thanks to Herman van Werkhoven, Kristian Jackson, Appalachian State University, and the parents and kids at Rocky Knob Bike Park: wataugacounty.org/App_Pages/Dept/ParksRec/Facilities/rockyknob.aspx

Ankle-jumping study (van Werkhoven & Piazza, 2013):
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23466176

Chapters
00:00 Jumping my bike in a lab
01:07 Bike jumping basics
03:05 Inside the motion lab
04:45 Establishing a baseline
05:58 Measuring center of mass
06:42 Could an extra bounce help?
08:44 The coach and the scientist
10:01 Trying their advice
11:43 What the data showed
13:02 Force and impulse
15:20 How much higher?
17:17 Do you need a lab?

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