Even though this feature had previously been part of the franchise, Grand Theft Auto IV, released in 2008, had a small flaw “by design.”
PC gamers never leave old games alone, so it’s no surprise that a modder finally provided fully functional bicycles for GTA IV. Rockstar obviously considered this feature too whimsical for the grim 2008 Eastern European immigrant crime drama. Importantly, the Bicycle Mod for GTA IV isn’t just a silly model swap.
Those familiar with the GTA IV modding scene have probably already tried out the broken bike toys adorning the rough streets of Liberty City. However, in this case, creator Shvab delved into GTA IV‘s aging vehicle logic, disabling the engine status and sidestepping fuel tank explosions. He also prevented NPCs from literally starting the engine on a bicycle. There is also a unique system to ensure that Niko’s feet reach the pedals properly. As Shvab puts it, he wanted us to feel like bicycles had always been part of Grand Theft Auto IV.
The mod is open source, meaning Liberty City’s most chaotic engineers can start planning improvements. Planned features include a proper bunny hop and the ability to roll on two wheels while standing — perhaps to make escaping the cops at 20 km/h even more ridiculous. Shvab says the most surprising part of the project was not adding the bike but convincing GTA IV‘s 2008 vehicle code not to panic about it. He says the game treats all wheeled vehicles like cars, so half the work was teaching the game that bicycles can’t explode, stall, or behave like dying taxis.
According to Shvab, resolving the issue required rewriting some handling settings, completely disabling the engine logic, and forcing the game to acknowledge that bicycles do not require starter motors, fuel tanks, or collision reactions designed for SUVs. He wanted it to feel natural, as if the systems had always been there. Considering that Niko now rides around Liberty City without spontaneously combusting, Shvab may have underestimated the result.
There’s something wonderful about the way Grand Theft Auto IV‘s famously grim protagonist rides across the Broker Bridge on two wheels. In a world where official remasters are, at best, haphazardly put together, it’s a joy to see a community enthusiastically fix a 17-year-old flaw.
