Bicycle Sex Position: How to Do It + 3 Variations

The bicycle sex position gets its name from a leg movement, not from any actual bike. Please keep the real one in the garage. The receiving partner lies on their back with their knees drawn up and moves their legs in a slow pedaling motion. The penetrating partner kneels between their thighs. It's a face-to-face position that works for any couple where one partner penetrates with a penis, a strap-on or a toy. The "pedaling" lets the person on their back shift the angle and depth with every stroke. One quick clarification, because the two often get mixed up: this is not the 69. The 69 is mutual oral sex. The bicycle is a penetrative position with one partner on their back.

How to Do the Bicycle Position Step by Step

• Get settled. The receiving partner lies on their back on a firm mattress, with a pillow under their head and, if it helps, a second one under their hips.
• Bring the knees up. They bend their knees toward their chest and lift their feet off the bed, with the calves roughly parallel to the mattress.
• Kneel in close. The penetrating partner kneels between their thighs, sitting back on their heels or upright on their knees, whichever puts the hips level.
• Find a hold. The kneeling partner can rest their hands on the backs of their partner's thighs or lightly on the shins. That support makes the leg movement far less tiring.
• Start pedaling. Once you're comfortably connected, the partner on their back slowly extends one leg while drawing the other in, then switches. Every change shifts the angle a little, so go slowly and notice what feels good.

The kneeling partner can thrust, stay still and let the pedaling do the work, or combine the two. Starting slow matters here: with the knees pulled up, penetration can get deeper than you expect.

3 Bicycle Position Variations

1. The Easy Rider

Leave both feet flat on the bed with the knees bent, and lift and "pedal" just one leg at a time. This takes much less core strength and hip flexibility. It's a good starting point if you're new to the position or tire quickly.

2. The Uphill Climb

The receiving partner rests their calves or ankles on the kneeling partner's shoulders and makes small alternating movements from there. Penetration is deeper and the angle steeper, so this one suits people who enjoy depth. It also calls for the most check-ins.

3. The Side Path

The receiving partner lies on their side with the bottom leg straight, and only the top leg bends and pedals. The other partner kneels or lies behind them. It's gentler on the lower back and hips, and it's the most practical option during pregnancy (more on that below).

Making It More Comfortable

• Use a pillow or wedge under the hips. This tilts the pelvis, takes strain off the lower back and helps you find a good angle.
• Pad the kneeling partner's knees. Use a folded blanket or do it on a soft surface. Kneeling on a hard floor gets old fast.
• Use lube. Water-based or silicone lube makes changing angles smoother. Use water-based lube with condoms and silicone toys.
• Keep it slow. The pedaling works best as a gentle rhythm. Taking breaks is fine, and so is letting the legs rest on your partner's arms for a while.
• Add hands or a toy. The front of the body stays free, so either partner can reach the clitoris or genitals.

Condoms or other barriers protect against STIs and pregnancy in this position just as in any other. If you're sharing toys, cover them with a condom or wash them between uses.

When the Bicycle Isn't for You

• Pregnancy: later in pregnancy, lying flat on your back for long stretches is generally discouraged, and drawing the knees to the chest gets awkward anyway. The side-lying variation is the better choice. If you have any complications, check with your healthcare provider first.
• Hips, knees or lower back: if you have hip impingement, knee problems or back pain, start with the Easy Rider variation, or skip the position if it hurts.
• Pain with deep penetration: raising the legs can bring the penis or toy close to the cervix. Sharp or deep pain means stop or switch to a shallower position. Painful sex is worth mentioning to a doctor.
• Kneeling partner's knees: if kneeling hurts, the penetrating partner can stand at the edge of the bed while the receiving partner lies close to the edge.

Communication and Consent

The person on their back controls the movement here, so their feedback sets the pace. Agree on a simple word or signal for "slower," "shallower" or "stop," and use it without apologizing. Face-to-face positions make it easy to check in with a look, but asking out loud still counts. If something about the position isn't working for either of you, changing course is part of good sex, not a failure. If you'd like a gentler way of trying something new, side-lying positions are a nice next step.

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