The purpose of the study described herein was to identify and measure (1) the critical parameters of bicycle design associated with their motions in the vertical longitudinal plane (braking and pitchover motions) and (2) their handling qualities. The approach involved both analytical and experimental procedures with major emphasis on the development of a mathematical model of the bicycle for use as a tool to evaluate the effects of design parameter variations on performance. The experimental studies consisted, of performing a number of maneuvers (straight braking, steady state cornering, hands-off path following, serpentine tracking) on two bicycles of different basic design. Several different riders, providing a wide range of weight, were used in these tests. It was concluded that many factors interact to produce the stability and control characteristics of a given design but that front wheel brakes and short wheelbases can be singled out as having specific hazard potential.