In 1906, at the age of 18, Ferenc Steiner started cycling in the colors of Csillag KK, but until 1920 he participated only in local races, competing in an open race only once in 1912. Steiner began to race seriously only at age 32 in 1920. That year he had good finishes in two national championship races – placing third in the 100 km road race and fifth in the mountain discipline. In 1923 he won the 100 km national championship, and then took part at the 1924 Paris Olympics, where he finished 60th in the road race. In 1926 Steiner retired from competition.