Final answer:
Cyclists lean into the curve when turning to maintain stability by ensuring the force exerted by the ground aligns with their center of gravity, providing the necessary centripetal force to navigate the turn without slipping.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cyclist leans to the side when going around a curve to maintain stability and prevent tipping over. This lean allows the force exerted by the ground on the bicycle wheel to pass through the center of gravity. There are two perpendicular components of this force: friction, which is parallel to the road and provides the necessary centripetal force for the turn, and the vertical normal force that balances out the weight of the cyclist and the bike.
st instinctively leans in the direction of the curve. If they are turning left, they lean to the left, and vice versa for a right turn. This lean creates a relationship among the lean angle, the speed, and the radius of curvature, akin to the ideal banking of roadways. It ensures that the centripetal force needed to keep the cyclist on a curved path is achieved without slipping.