I admire anyone who rides. I admire riders who ride with consideration of traffic lights, and stop at them too. To those who occasionally sprint across red lights I still admire them, especially when they get away with grace and speed, but I don't recommend the behavior.

Track stands do confuse some drivers. I do it anyway.

Track stands didn't come easily over the first 5 years of bike commuting, but I always aspired to it. I never thought I would become as proficient as I am.

It started with keeping an eye on the traffic lights and trying to time them so I would either sprint to make them or slow down into them so that I would be able to staypinted and coasting in slow and arrive just as the light turned green.

Most of the roads and intersections, not all, have a crown, a higher altitude, in the center. It's subtle, and makes water drain and not pool in the important intersection..

As I began to see it, I could use the slight hill as something to push against with my dominant leg on the pedal. I slowly developed a technique of coasting up to the line, clocking my right crank around 3, and turning the handlebar left into the slight uphill grade, and letting the bike rock back into my right leg.

At first I had difficulty finding the right gear ratio to do this in. I also had trouble moderating the strength output of my leg. I found it easier to do a track stand standing in the pedals.

​​​​​​Wanting to sit and track stand forced me to start working on that. At the same time I wanted to be able to do it on both legs with equal facility.

Eventually I mastered this skill. I believe track stands have made me a stronger climber and a better mountain bike rider.

If I can do, most can I bet.

I'm 64 and have been bike commuting for 40 years and I track stand at every light and do not usually put a foot down until I get to work or get home, unless I stop to get groceries, pay a visit, or something like extend the ride into the hills on the way home.

I'm still working and bike commute. Been riding a fixed gear bicycle to work forany years now. I think track bikes are easier to track stand on by a long shot.
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