Traffic Rider, developed by Soner Kara (skgames), is not just an endless runner; it’s a first-person motorcycle simulation game. Launched in January 2016, the game stands out for its immersive first-person view, where every vehicle pass and braking maneuver feels genuinely risky. Progress depends not just on survival but on using the game’s high-risk scoring mechanics effectively.
Immersion, Authenticity, and Customization
The foundation of Traffic Rider’s success lies in its realism and player control. Each of the 36 motorcycles features real engine sounds recorded from actual bikes, giving an authentic roar that changes with your speed and viewing angle.
Under the Settings menu, you can change the speed unit from KMH to MPH, switch the driver’s side (left or right), and enable weather effects such as rain or snow. The game also supports over 20 languages, enhancing accessibility for global players.
Controls
While mobile users rely on tilting and on-screen throttles, the most effective way to maximize your score is by using the keyboard control scheme (for the Browser version), especially for precision and scoring bonuses. You can also change gear settings to AUTO if you don’t want to use R and F frequently. Changing gear settings to AUTO is a good way to simplify control and focus solely on the road.
| Action | Control Key | Function |
| Throttle / Brake | Up Arrow / Down Arrow | Control speed and braking |
| Turn Left / Right | Left Arrow / Right Arrow | Navigate through traffic |
| Horn | H | Helps clear the path slightly in dense traffic |
| Wheelie | Y | Main high-score booster; continuous wheelies generate more coins |
| Look Left / Right | T / U | Quick view check during overtakes |
| Gear Up / Down | R / F | Manual control over engine speed (Can be set to AUTO) |
The Coin Economy and Progression
In Traffic Rider, progress depends on your in-game currency. The game has two types of coins:
- Cash Coins ($): Used to buy or upgrade bikes and cosmetics.
- Gold Coins (G): Used to purchase premium bikes or resume a crashed run.
At the start of Career Mode, your bike’s maximum speed is about 65 MPH, which increases slowly, only 1–2 MPH per level, unless you upgrade Power or buy a new bike.
Earning and Spending
The majority of cash is earned through High-Speed Overtakes (passing a vehicle over 100 KMH or ≈65 MPH). Your reward (starting around $100) increases significantly based on your current speed and the size of the vehicle you pass.
- Upgrade Costs: Upgrading your bike’s Power, Handling, or Braking starts affordably at $500 per stat, but the cost quickly escalates to $750 for the second upgrade, followed by further subsequent increases. Spending on cosmetics, like rider gloves, can also drain your funds by $1,000 to $5,000.
- Mission Rewards: Completing a Career mission provides a base reward of $300 and 1 G, though rewards can increase depending on overtake speed and near-miss bonuses. The final score breakdown shows that the bulk of your earnings comes from distance, high-speed, and near-miss bonuses.
- Daily Quests: These are essential for guaranteed Gold Coins, typically rewarding $500 and 1 G for simple tasks like riding 3 km or achieving 10 near-misses.
The 1 G Cost of Error
If you crash into a guardrail, barrier, or another vehicle, your run ends. To resume from that exact location, you must spend 1 G (Gold Coin). Otherwise, your run restarts from the beginning of the level. This is why Gold Coins are invaluable; they allow you to salvage a long, high-scoring Endless run or push through a tough Career mission without restarting.
Game Modes and Level Unlocks
The four game modes are highly segmented by level, deliberately gating off the highest-reward activities until you’ve proven your skill.
Career Mode
This is the required path. Missions involve strict time limits and specific scoring goals. To progress, you must continuously upgrade your bike’s Power to meet the escalating mission requirements (starting around 25 Power recommended). If you hit a wall in the Career, the solution is always to use Endless Mode to grind cash for a better bike. This mode alone offers 90+ missions.
Endless Mode
This is the primary cash engine. The difficulty is procedural, with traffic density increasing over time. While the One-Way option is safe, the real money is in Two-Way traffic, which only unlocks after reaching Level 20. Riding in the oncoming lane applies the highest cash multiplier in the game, making the Level 20 unlock the most important milestone for funding high-tier bikes.
Time Trial Mode
Unlocks start at Level 6 for One-Way, moving to Level 24 for Two-Way. Here, the challenge is maintaining maximum speed against a countdown timer. You must consistently perform high-speed overtakes, as these reward you with precious seconds added to the clock. This mode tests pure reaction time and precision braking.
Free Ride Mode
This low-stakes option unlocks at Level 14 for One-Way, followed by Level 32 for Two-Way. It offers little in the way of rewards, but it’s the ideal place to test the handling and top speed of a newly purchased bike without the risk of a crash costing you a Gold Coin.
The 36-Bike Roster and the Endgame Goal
Your journey is defined by strategic purchasing. While most bikes require you to achieve a specific Career Level, a few powerful machines allow you to bypass the level grind if you have the cash.
Bike Alternatives
The ZZF 1400 is the most critical alternative purchase in the entire game. Available for $200,000 with no level requirement, it features excellent base stats (160/185 Power, 140/165 Handling). This bike is the best high-power grind champion for players who want to jump straight to the Endless Two-Way mode once it’s unlocked at Level 20, providing a significant advantage over lower-tier machines.
The Goal
The ultimate endgame is the LAZ 400, which requires a staggering $2,000,000 and progression to Level 53. It dominates all categories, featuring +4 Life, Power 320/360, Handling 300/340, and Braking 310/350, a clear statistical edge that justifies the investment.
Complete Bike Roster and Unlock Requirements
This table provides the full, definitive list of all 36 bikes in Traffic Rider, detailing their purchase prices, minimum Career Levels required to unlock, and performance stats (Life, Power, Handling, and Braking).
| Bike Name | Price (Cash $) | Price (Gold G) | Level Required | Life | Power | Handling | Braking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FZH TURBO | Unlocked | N/A | N/A | +1 | 20/30 | 35/45 | 25/35 |
| V900-CX | 2,500 | N/A | N/A | +1 | 35/45 | 25/35 | 35/45 |
| KF 450T | 5,000 | N/A | L3 | +1 | 50/60 | 30/40 | 55/65 |
| CX 750F | 10,000 | N/A | L5 | +1 | 65/75 | 70/80 | 80/90 |
| VX95 NIGHT | 15,000 | N/A | L7 | +1 | 75/85 | 90/100 | 100/110 |
| KBX 250 | 20,000 | N/A | L9 | +2 | 85/100 | 100/115 | 70/85 |
| SHADOW R | 30,000 | N/A | L11 | +2 | 90/105 | 105/120 | 85/100 |
| PARS 220 | 38,000 | N/A | L13 | +2 | 95/110 | 85/100 | 100/115 |
| CBZ 250Y | 42,500 | N/A | L13 | +2 | 100/115 | 110/125 | 80/95 |
| NJ 350 | 60,000 | N/A | L15 | +2 | 120/135 | 100/115 | 120/135 |
| DCT STR | 75,000 | N/A | L15 | +2 | 130/145 | 100/115 | 110/125 |
| YNH CX60 | 90,000 | N/A | L17 | +2 | 135/155 | 140/160 | 100/120 |
| ZX 750 | 100,000 | N/A | L17 | +2 | 140/160 | 120/140 | 100/120 |
| FXT U2 | 120,000 | N/A | L19 | +2 | 105/125 | 150/170 | 145/165 |
| CHIEF LT | 140,000 | N/A | L19 | +2 | 135/155 | 140/160 | 150/170 |
| GX 1400 | 150,000 | N/A | L21 | +2 | 150/170 | 120/140 | 130/150 |
| Y-MAKS | 180,000 | N/A | L21 | +3 | 140/165 | 180/205 | 190/215 |
| ZZF 1400 | 200,000 | N/A | N/A | +3 | 160/185 | 140/165 | 150/175 |
| ROCKER 3S | 200,000 | N/A | L23 | +3 | 150/175 | 160/185 | 140/165 |
| SK 1200 | 225,000 | N/A | L23 | +3 | 160/185 | 150/175 | 180/205 |
| CBN 1000R | 275,000 | N/A | L25 | +3 | 170/195 | 180/205 | 170/195 |
| SR 1000Z | N/A | 300 | L27 | +3 | 180/205 | 140/165 | 150/175 |
| GST 1300 | 325,000 | N/A | N/A | +3 | 180/210 | 160/190 | 180/210 |
| FX 10S | 350,000 | N/A | L31 | +3 | 190/220 | 200/230 | 210/240 |
| ARTIL TP4 | 440,000 | N/A | L33 | +3 | 210/240 | 150/180 | 170/200 |
| YNH S1 | 460,000 | N/A | N/A | +3 | 210/245 | 180/215 | 210/245 |
| DCT 8910H | 480,000 | N/A | L37 | +3 | 210/245 | 200/235 | 190/225 |
| AGS 4F | 560,000 | N/A | L39 | +3 | 230/265 | 210/245 | 240/275 |
| DCT K4 | 700,000 | N/A | N/A | +4 | 250/290 | 250/290 | 240/280 |
| KWS RH2 | N/A | 700 | L41 | +4 | 250/290 | 260/300 | 220/260 |
| FROD X | 850,000 | N/A | L43 | +4 | 270/310 | 240/280 | 260/300 |
| TOMA | 1,000,000 | N/A | L45 | +4 | 280/320 | 260/300 | 250/290 |
| AURA | 1,250,000 | N/A | L47 | +4 | 290/330 | 270/310 | 280/320 |
| MX 450S | 1,500,000 | N/A | L49 | +4 | 300/340 | 290/330 | 285/325 |
| VALKYRIE | 1,750,000 | N/A | L51 | +4 | 310/350 | 280/320 | 300/340 |
| LAZ 400 | 2,000,000 | N/A | L53 | +4 | 320/360 | 300/340 | 310/350 |
Note:
- N/A (Not Applicable): Indicates that a specific price (Cash or Gold) or Level requirement does not apply to this bike. For example, cash-purchased bikes show N/A under the ‘Price (Gold G)’ column.
- Life/Power/Handling/Braking: The two values are the initial (min) stat and the maximum (max) stat after all upgrades are purchased (e.g., 20/30).
Final Thoughts
This guide provides the complete blueprint for dominating Traffic Rider. The overall strategy is simple: prioritize Career Mode until you unlock the highly profitable Level 20 Two-Way Endless Mode. Once that mode is open, use your savings to immediately purchase the ZZF 1400 (or the GST 1300 if you have accumulated Gold). From that point forward, the game shifts to a cash grind; your only goal is to maximize scores in Two-Way traffic until you have the $2,000,000 required to unlock the LAZ 400. Practice the Wheelie (Y key) and focus on high-speed overtakes to ensure every run is a massive cash flow. Now, hit the highway.
