As your foot hits the 6 o'clock position, you rotate the pedal vertically and give it a little push, trying to make it go far enough that you can push again.

After 1/4 of a mile, you try putting your foot under the pedal when it keeps getting stuck at the 9 o'clock position.

After another 1/4 of a mile, you stand on the pedal in the 6 o'clock position, and use the other leg to kick off, reinventing the kick bike.

All the while, you're hoping no one notices, except perhaps a fellow bike commuter, since they will be sympathetic. They'll still laugh, but not in the condescending way a "true cyclist" would.