Yes I shift the gears. Here is Houston it is very flat. Not sure yet how the bike will work in a hilly area. I can only guess it would work great. I tend to putt down the road in one of the higher gears just running the engine slowly and peddling. There have been times I wanted to get across a 4 lane road. Putting it in first and nailing the engine it shoots across the street. Possibly the neatest toy I have allowed myself to induldge in.