Wait, does everyone mount a bike from the left?

woody33 · 05-06-2020 7:51pm #1

I was really wondering why, if I lose my balance at slow speed, I'm more likely to recover if the bike falls to the left. Something to do with the side I get on from? Do some folks practice the other side? Maybe get on from the back like a Hollywood cowboy? Hmmm, so many questions.

Seth Brundle · 05-06-2020 7:52pm

Avoiding standing on the chain side?

Lyan · 05-06-2020 7:53pm

Same reason that they write with their right hand.

magicbastarder · 05-06-2020 8:25pm

i'd never thought about this before. i'm fairly certain i usually get on from the left side.

cletus · 05-06-2020 8:34pm

Lyan wrote: »

Same reason that they write with their right hand.

I write with my left hand

05-06-2020 8:43pm

Right side for me if I stop right foot would go down or if I walk with my bike I'd push from the right side. I'm left handed.

I think the 'correct side' though is the kerb side for motor bikes and horses are traditionally from the left side too as in yee olde times you may been wearing a sword on your left hip.

EDIT: Ha good thing I don't ride CX as I be shredded shouldering the bike on my left shoulder.

07Lapierre · 05-06-2020 8:49pm

If im stopping at lights and their is a kerbstone, I'll unclip my left foot.
Otherwise I tend to dismount on the right. I'm left handed, so not sure if that's relevant.

magicbastarder · 05-06-2020 8:57pm

i usually dismount on the right, but the way our driveway and side gate is oriented, this makes sense as otherwise i'd be dismounting onto the low wall that separates us from next door.

Type 17 · 05-06-2020 9:03pm

My wife (who returned to cycling a few years ago, having not cycled since school) was getting off her new bike on the right side, but I pointed out to her that she was then on the wrong side to kick down her stand - she's now in the habit of dismounting to the left and finds it much better.
I know that not many on here use a kickstand, but it's one reason to have a preference.

I tend to get on/off on the left because it's the kerb side and I started off that way as a kid. I also tend to clip out to the left as a foot on the kerb is more convenient (if there is one).

murphyebass · 05-06-2020 9:05pm

After watching YouTube clips of people falling on to traffic I took the advice and got into the habit straight away of unclipping on the left. Makes sense to be fair.

accensi0n · 05-06-2020 9:06pm

I roll the bike forward on its own and then jump mount from the rear, landing all hands and feet simultaneously.

Type 17 · 05-06-2020 9:07pm

accensi0n wrote: »

I roll the bike forward on its own and then jump mount from the rear, landing all hands and feet simultaneously.

Penny Farthing rider?

crosstownk · 05-06-2020 9:27pm

I never really thought about this before but more often than not I mount from the left although not always. When I do mount from the right, I still clip in with the right foot first. I always unclip the left foot first and dismount to the left.

Cetyl Palmitate · 05-06-2020 9:32pm

Left handed, left footed. Always mount by keeping left leg standing and swinging right over and dismount left leg first.
I find it very strange going the other way. So much that I almost have to think through the process before doing it.

Thargor · 05-06-2020 9:37pm

I changed a tube on a crappy MTB for a guy in my estate a couple of weeks ago, Id say he's only about 30 but when I gave it back to him he used the old man mounting technique I hadnt seen in about 20 years, he stood on the left pedal and rolled down the road a bit standing straight up with all his weight on the left crank before swinging his right leg over, I couldn't believe it tbh, it just looked so strange to see a young person do it. He's from Ennis, maybe they're a bit old fashioned down there.

timsey tiger · 05-06-2020 9:51pm

My brother snowboards goofy, i.e. right foot forward. i'll have to check out how he gets on a bike.

Wishbone Ash · 05-06-2020 9:57pm

Thargor wrote: »

I changed a tube on a crappy MTB for a guy in my estate a couple of weeks ago, Id say he's only about 30 but when I gave it back to him he used the old man mounting technique I hadnt seen in about 20 years, he stood on the left pedal and rolled down the road a bit standing straight up with all his weight on the left crank before swinging his right leg over, I couldn't believe it tbh, it just looked so strange to see a young person do it. He's from Ennis, maybe they're a bit old fashioned down there.

My father always mounted and dismounted that way. He sometimes took ages to swing his leg over - he's be half way to work and still be standing on the left pedal.

EDIT - now that I think of it, my mother did the same. I recall her giving out to me as a child for standing astride my bike before moving off.

Thargor · 05-06-2020 10:08pm

Yeah he was chatting away to me over his shoulder and was half way down the road before he swung over, Id say back in the day it was to avoid ripping the crotch or wear and tear on their only pair of pants.

Victor · 05-06-2020 10:08pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I think the 'correct side' though is the kerb side

I'm going with this.

If starting on the right side of a road (one-way street, abroad, etc.), one would more likely mount from the right.

Breezer · 05-06-2020 10:08pm

Always from the left. Right side hurts my brain and I’d probably fall over.

woody33 · 05-06-2020 10:14pm

Thargor wrote: »

I changed a tube on a crappy MTB for a guy in my estate a couple of weeks ago, Id say he's only about 30 but when I gave it back to him he used the old man mounting technique I hadnt seen in about 20 years, he stood on the left pedal and rolled down the road a bit standing straight up with all his weight on the left crank before swinging his right leg over, I couldn't believe it tbh, it just looked so strange to see a young person do it. He's from Ennis, maybe they're a bit old fashioned down there.

What? Now, perhaps some might consider me an old bloke, (also "down the country") but that seems fairly normal to me. Maybe a little rotate on the pedal for extra umph. Actually, I'm trying to relearn the technique as my last bike had an untrustworthy drive train. A buddy who teaches cycling in schools tells me that's the prefered method. I must look into this more. I used to have a servant who would cup his hands for my left foot to help me into the saddle, and then give me a cup of sherry. Ah yes. Where was I?

crosstownk · 05-06-2020 10:33pm

Victor wrote: »

I'm going with this.

If starting on the right side of a road (one-way street, abroad, etc.), one would more likely mount from the right.

Not really. I think it's more to do with right/left sidedness and a good dollop of habit. I mount/dismount in the same manner irrespective of one-way street, abroad, etc.

woody33 · 05-06-2020 10:51pm

Something to do with the dominant side, maybe?

bfa1509 · 05-06-2020 10:52pm

Tomorrow morning, try putting your pants on left leg first. It will become clear why you mount from the same side always.

magicbastarder · 05-06-2020 11:06pm

we demand video evidence from the suggestion made in the above post. all in the name of science.
actually, we don't. please don't.

StudentDad · 05-06-2020 11:13pm

Thargor wrote: »

Yeah he was chatting away to me over his shoulder and was half way down the road before he swung over, Id say back in the day it was to avoid ripping the crotch or wear and tear on their only pair of pants.

I'm back on the bike after a 20 year gap. Used to cycle everywhere, then life happened and cycling became a thing of the past. So 2 years ago I bought myself a new bike, put it together etc. As if on auto pilot, left foot on pedal, push, roll and leg over the saddle. Just the way I learned I suppose

05-06-2020 11:16pm

See I said earlier I was left handed/footed and mount from the right but .... i tested there in the name of science and to scootmount (it's not a word I just made up honest) a bike like that I'd have to do it from the left. I did try from the right and my brain did a thing and said no

magicbastarder · 05-06-2020 11:19pm

is that way of mounting a bike a learned method for people who learned to cycle on bikes with fewer gear options, maybe? that it might be easier to start pedalling once the bike is moving?

StudentDad · 05-06-2020 11:26pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

is that way of mounting a bike a learned method for people who learned to cycle on bikes with fewer gear options, maybe? that it might be easier to start pedalling once the bike is moving?

I don't know about the gear thing. When I was a kid I had a five speed raleigh viking. Over the summer though I'd spend the summer with cousins and the bike options were limited. Use massive high nelly or walk

I liked the high nelly, great yoke when you got it moving

Wishbone Ash · 05-06-2020 11:36pm

bfa1509 wrote: »

... try putting your pants on left leg first...

Pants? Are we back to the 1700's?

Seriously though, you are spot on. Try shaving or brushing you teeth with your left hand. It takes an awful lot more concentration. I don't think I've ever tried to get on a bike on the right side. It's just so wrong in every way. It would be like trying to drive a car with the clutch pedal on the right foot.

Wishbone Ash · 05-06-2020 11:39pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

is that way of mounting a bike a learned method for people who learned to cycle on bikes with fewer gear options, maybe? that it might be easier to start pedalling once the bike is moving?

It would be a bit messy with a fixie.

ted1 · 06-06-2020 12:08am

woody33 wrote: »

I was really wondering why, if I lose my balance at slow speed, I'm more likely to recover if the bike falls to the left. Something to do with the side I get on from? Do some folks practice the other side? Maybe get on from the back like a Hollywood cowboy? Hmmm, so many questions.

Right is the dominate side so helps counter balance.

Hrududu · 06-06-2020 12:28am

I always mount and dismount from the left as it’s at the curb. It’s so engrained that I once caught myself walking around the bike rather get on from the right

loyatemu · 06-06-2020 12:43am

Always the left, I can barely push the bike from the other side.

I often do that "old man" thing when dismounting, only figured it out a few years back, it's just fun to do.

06-06-2020 12:50am

Don't track riders lead left on a start to push themselves away from the bottom?

saccades · 06-06-2020 12:53am

Chocolate foot

rubadub · 06-06-2020 12:56am

Cetyl Palmitate wrote: »

Left handed, left footed. Always mount by keeping left leg standing and swinging right over and dismount left leg first.
I find it very strange going the other way. So much that I almost have to think through the process before doing it.

I am right handed, right footed (kicking a football, or kicking a person!) and would always keep the LEFT foot down. It makes sense to me as the right foot is the "action foot" swinging at a football, or swinging it over a bike.

I also eat in the nontraditional table setting way, fork in right hand, knife in left. Some think anybody doing this must be lefthanded, but I think most lefthanded people eat in the "traditional table setting". If eating with just a fork most righthanded people will hold it in their right. I think there is little skill involved in using a knife with a typical meal so use the left.

There can be odd historical reasons for things, someone mentioned the chain position. I remember hearing of left/right handed driving dating back to horses and people carrying whips and being able to fend off attackers. I heard of the left/righthanded knife being to do with fending off attackers too, knife always in your dominant hand. Then heard in N American that knives were rarer and shared between family, so you would get a loan of the knife, cut up your food, pass the knife on and eat with the fork in your dominant hand.

eeeee · 06-06-2020 12:56am

I mount from the left and dismount from the right.

Re track riders starting from the left, some do. It can help keep you straight, so you don't go down the track when you start. I start with my right, cos my left leg is ****ed.
Conventional wisdom says you start on your weak leg so you have a full revolution with your strong leg. My left leg is so weak though that I don't get started at all if I start on it. My starts are bad enough anyway!

YFlyer · 06-06-2020 1:11am

Thargor wrote: »

I changed a tube on a crappy MTB for a guy in my estate a couple of weeks ago, Id say he's only about 30 but when I gave it back to him he used the old man mounting technique I hadnt seen in about 20 years, he stood on the left pedal and rolled down the road a bit standing straight up with all his weight on the left crank before swinging his right leg over, I couldn't believe it tbh, it just looked so strange to see a young person do it. He's from Ennis, maybe they're a bit old fashioned down there.

I'm left legged. I usually mount with swinging the right leg over. When only on one pedal going down a hill I be on the left hand side with the right leg on the pedal. Majority of the time when getting off the bike, I jump to the left side. Probably due to cycling on LHS of roads.

Edit: when on one pedal, for some reason, going down a hill. I can have either left foot or right foot on the left pedal.

Harrybelafonte · 06-06-2020 8:14am

Deleted User wrote: »

Don't track riders lead left on a start to push themselves away from the bottom?

Yes, as per eeeee's description, alternatively, if you start at the fence, many would start with the right to push down the banking and away from the fence.

Also, track riders have a stronger tendency to pull with one leg while pushing with the other, compared to road riders, so that might have some thing to do with it?

Wishbone Ash · 06-06-2020 8:31am

loyatemu wrote: »

..I often do that "old man" thing when dismounting, only figured it out a few years back, it's just fun to do.

It's not really suitable for modern bikes though (and awkward with cleats).

06-06-2020 10:09am

Thargor wrote: »

I changed a tube on a crappy MTB for a guy in my estate a couple of weeks ago, Id say he's only about 30 but when I gave it back to him he used the old man mounting technique I hadnt seen in about 20 years, he stood on the left pedal and rolled down the road a bit standing straight up with all his weight on the left crank before swinging his right leg over, I couldn't believe it tbh, it just looked so strange to see a young person do it. He's from Ennis, maybe they're a bit old fashioned down there.

Wait, what do you mean old fashioned? How else do you get on your bike? I'm so confused by this. Am I getting on my bike the wrong way? When did this change?

woody33 · 06-06-2020 10:14am

While swinging my leg over (ooh err) when the bike is in motion, I sometimes feel my baggy shorts catching in the saddle. The potential is there for considerable embarrassment, injury and pain. My other method, useful if I'm at the bottom of a steep hill or in a busy area, is to lean the bike over at 45 degrees or so and step over with my right leg. Not very gainly. Maybe I should just get a girl's bike, and only ride it after dark.

magicbastarder · 06-06-2020 10:43am

Deleted User wrote: »

Wait, what do you mean old fashioned? How else do you get on your bike? I'm so confused by this. Am I getting on my bike the wrong way? When did this change?

did you not get the circular of the decision from the cyclist's convention in 2013?
we've been on the velominati to ratify this too, but they are dragging their heels.

galvo_clare · 06-06-2020 11:18am

Thargor wrote: »

He's from Ennis, maybe they're a bit old fashioned down there.

I’m from Ennis too but I don’t use that method!
Left handed and I tend to approach and get off from the right but the stand is on the left for my one bike that has one. For the Brompton you also need to be on the left to fold/unfold so I’m gradually trying to train myself. Feels weird to me though so I’m constantly switching sides.

Wishbone Ash · 06-06-2020 12:02pm

A couple of lads in our club swing their right leg forward and clockwise over the handlebars. It looks a bit uncomfortable to me.

Mercian Pro · 06-06-2020 12:15pm

Pretty sure I get on and off from the left but will check later as I haven't thought about it in over 50 years

I do know that I have always unclipped the right foot when stopping although I have no idea why. It caused a bit of angst a few years ago when I started piloting a tandem for a clubmate who, more conventionally, always put his left foot down. After a few hairy balancing acts with me trying to lean right and him left, I bowed to his greater mass (sorry T) and went to the left.

The other odd thing about cycling the tandem was riding my own bike back home afterwards. The balance felt totally weird and took about 10 minutes to get back to normal.

Wishbone Ash · 06-06-2020 12:17pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Pretty sure I get on and off from the left but will check later as I haven't thought about it in over 50 years ...

You do.

Harrybelafonte · 06-06-2020 12:35pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

A couple of lads in our club swing their left leg forward and clockwise over the handlebars. It looks a bit uncomfortable to me.

That's another track thing too. Bars have no hoods to get leg over and they're usually a little lower than road bars. I'd struggle to do on road bike tbh

homer911 · 06-06-2020 4:34pm

Kick stands are always on the left - is it even possible to have these on the right side of the bike? No, because of the chain!

Thargor · 06-06-2020 5:20pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

A couple of lads in our club swing their left leg forward and clockwise over the handlebars. It looks a bit uncomfortable to me.

Any video of this? What does "forward and clockwise over the handlebars" mean?

Wait, does everyone mount a bike from the left?

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