Bobsleds steer using a simple but very precise mechanical system that turns the front runners and with small weight shifts from the crew.

How a bobsled steers (quick version)

  • The pilot sits in front and controls two metal rings or ropes connected to the steering system.
  • These rings are linked by pulleys to the front runners (the metal blades), so pulling left turns the front runners slightly left, pulling right turns them slightly right.
  • Tiny movements are all that’s needed; big pulls at 80–90 mph can make the sled skid or even crash.
  • The other athletes subtly shift their weight to one side or the other to help the sled carve the best line through curves.

Inside the steering system

  • A metal chassis inside the sled holds the steering mechanism near the front, with rings/handles at the pilot’s hands and a pulley system hidden under the cowling.
  • When the pilot pulls a ring, the pulleys rotate a steering bolt or linkage that yaws the front runners a few degrees, enough to “bite” into the ice and change direction.
  • Because the runners are like narrow metal skates, even a small angle change creates sideways forces that guide the sled along the curve of the track.

Weight shift: the “bob” in bobsled

  • Crew members stay tucked in but make very small side‑to‑side movements of hips and shoulders to load more weight onto one runner than the other.
  • The side with more weight presses harder into the ice, helping the sled follow that side of the curve and smoothing the line through corners.
  • This weight‑shift steering works together with the pilot’s ring inputs to minimize friction and wall contact while keeping maximum speed.

Braking versus steering

  • The brakeman at the back has a separate handle that drops metal teeth or spikes into the ice to slow the sled down at the end of the run.
  • Brakes are only used after the finish line; during the timed run, the brakeman keeps the handle up so nothing drags on the ice.

Think of it like driving a very stiff shopping cart on ice: the pilot makes tiny “twitch” steering inputs with fingertip pulls on the rings, while the crew lean just enough to help the cart carve the smoothest, fastest path down the hill.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.