The back of the rider is supported, and the rider's legs are extended forward to pedals that are about the same height as the seat. Steering is either above seat steering (ASS or OSS), which uses a handlebar that is located in front of the rider, or under seat steering (USS), which uses a handlebar located under the seat. The wheels are often smaller and/or further apart than on an upright bicycle.

The recumbent bicycle is not new, records of recumbent designs go back to the early days of cycling, but it is only recently that they have become widespread. Recumbents hold world speed records for unpaced, human-powered vehicles. Tricycles form a substantial part of the recumbent market (far more so than for upright bikes); the generic term bike tends to be applied to these as well.

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