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Getting off your bi...
 

Getting off your bike on the wrong side.

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I can only get off on one side.

Which side that is changes on any given day, but on that particular day there is no way I am getting off my bike on anything other than the side my brain chose that day. 

Same goes for when I'm pushing back up to the top. One side only per day.

I can fall off any side though, although I've not fallen off the back for a while. 


 
Posted : 19/07/2025 5:53 pm
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Ok. I'll bite. Why is everyone getting off their bike in traffic? I can't recall ever getting off on a busy road, I'm sure I would have turned off onto a quiet side street or hopped up onto the curb.


 
Posted : 19/07/2025 6:40 pm
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Usually to use a zebra crossing rather than be in the middle of the road at a junction or avoid using a dangerous roundabout. Getting off the bike gives me priority in a lot of situations and drivers are much more reluctant to bully a pedestrian pushing a bike than a cyclist.


 
Posted : 19/07/2025 6:55 pm
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Ok. I'll bite. Why is everyone getting off their bike in traffic? I can't recall ever getting off on a busy road, I'm sure I would have turned off onto a quiet side street or hopped up onto the curb.

My reasons, I regularly ride on a road up a long steep hill to get to the trails. The road is fairly busy with no pavement and being a knackered old git I often have to get off and push.

 
Posted : 19/07/2025 7:20 pm
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I always assumed this was to do with whether you were left- or right-handed. Left-handed, you tend to push the bike on your left hand side so get on and off on that side (the right, when you're on it). Right handed, vice-versa.

 

 


 
Posted : 19/07/2025 9:33 pm
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Oh! I thought I was being a bit facetious (not sure I'm using the term correctly), I didn't actually imagine anyone was getting of in traffic, just in describing the getting off curb side was making it sound like that.

That sounds sensible edukator, not that I ride on the road anymore if I can help it, but id be the idiot bullishly holding prime position round the dangerous roundabout because I'm allowed to be there and aren't going to let the vocal minority of drivers bully me away.

I must spend more time than I think swapping sides of the bike. Because if I'm pushing I'll have the bike on my right side by preference. And I will lay a bike down nds down, my wife on the other hand always lays the bike drive side down, and it really bothers me.


 
Posted : 19/07/2025 10:20 pm
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I thought handedness was a factor. I'm right handed, I push a skateboard with my stronger right leg, I support myself and bike with my right leg, I balance better in yoga on my right leg.

Must pay attention if I propel myself started on my bike more by pushing along with my right leg than pedalling with my left.


 
Posted : 19/07/2025 10:26 pm
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Depends which side of the bike the frame bag zip is on 😉

Ie when locking bike against a fence it's handy to have zip on side facing out. 

But no problem getting on/off either side. 


 
Posted : 19/07/2025 10:45 pm
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I’ve really had to think about this! I’m right-handed, but with a fair degree of use with my left hand, but if I’m pushing my bike, I have to do it with the bike on my right-hand side, when I mount I either bring the left pedal up, put my left foot on it then scoot pushing the pedal and swinging my right leg over, but occasionally I might have to stand on the left pedal, scoot a few times to get moving, then swing my leg over; it all depends on how level the ground is.

When I’m shooting a bow, however, I’m left handed, meaning I’m holding the bow in my right hand, drawing with my left, and sighting with my left eye - this is because my left eye is my dominant eye, but it makes things awkward when putting an arrow onto the bow because I’m having to do it from the ‘wrong’ side, that is holding the arrow in my left hand, but having to knock it on the right side of the bow.

Bloody glad riding a bike isn’t that convoluted! 😫


 
Posted : 20/07/2025 3:24 am
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TBH I deliberately used to practice foot down either side as if you have to stop near potholes /uneven tracks an stuff you probably want to be putting weight on the side you least likely to do a comedy fall over on


 
Posted : 20/07/2025 8:53 am
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but I do tend to mount/dismount from the right, I think a lot of it is just habit, you start off and just run with it as your muscle memory just clicks in.

I always do find it giggly that the brake levers are a thing depending on which side the drivings done on, that there is actually a rhd/lhd bicycle.


 
Posted : 20/07/2025 9:05 am
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