Re: Shake down ride!
 

It's just all about leverage, really. You don't even think about it because it's second nature when riding, but wider bars are easier to turn. They give the impression that the front of the bike is lighter than it really is. With a shorter handlebar, you have to actually pull and put some effort into going left or right.

The last bike I had came with really wide bars and I could pilot that thing with my fingertips. It was pretty nice.