Dismounting: Left, Right or Both?
05-20-18, 07:40 PM
#26
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Mounting bicycles from the left side goes all the way back to mounting horses. Horses tend to be sensitive (and often spooked) by mounting from the non-standard side, so it makes sense to consistently mount from the left side so that the more commonly dominant right hand can better help pull the rider onto the saddle. Yesterday I was brushing a large 16.5 hand tall, 1,700 lb Percheron who didn't like to even be approached from the right let alone mounted from the right. Bicycles naturally developed with the same convention so the drive-trains tend to be on the right side so as to avoid soiling one's trousers on the chain and the kickstand tends to be on the left so they can be more easily folded while standing on that side of the bicycle.
05-20-18, 07:55 PM
#27
Non omnino gravis
Well, my bikes don't get spooked regardless of what direction I approach them from, so I will continue to dismount to the right, as I am more comfortable doing so. There is no right or wrong, horse dudes. It's not a motorcycle, it's not a horse.
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05-20-18, 08:25 PM
#29
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I always unclip and dismount to the right. I'm left handed/footed so it is natural for me to use my dominant foot to power up from a standstill. Also if I am stopping alongside a curb I can put my right foot on it. I see some do left and some right, never tried to count to see which is more prevalent. It's your bike, your preference, pick one and if you use cleats, always do it the same way.
05-20-18, 08:32 PM
#30
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Left. Cyclocross habits.
05-20-18, 08:35 PM
#31
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I like to dismount to the left, but have done it over the handlebars a few times. 
05-20-18, 08:45 PM
#32
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Left. I have tried the right side and it was awkward/almost fell over.
05-20-18, 08:45 PM
#33
Senior Member
For me pre-gall bladder removal did not care what side I dismounted from and post surgery I exclusively mount/dismount from the left now.
05-20-18, 08:52 PM
#34
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05-20-18, 08:57 PM
#35
Non omnino gravis
This should have been a poll: what foot do you unclip at an intersection? Left? Right? Both?
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05-20-18, 09:20 PM
#36
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Mount/dismount from the left, clip left pedal first, unclip right pedal first, heel out. I have the bad habit of unclipping with the pedal at 12 o'clock too.
05-20-18, 10:00 PM
#38
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Left for me. Glad to see I'm not the only one who only mounts/dismounts to one side. Although I wonder sometimes if I should work on my ambidexterity in case I find myself off-balance and need to do an emergency dismount to the right.
05-21-18, 06:14 AM
#40
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Horses, motorcycles, cars, bed, all left side for me. Watch any old western movie you will never see a cowboy or cowgirl mounting a horse from it's right side. BUT,,, whatever side works the best for you just keep get'n on and ride'n...!
05-21-18, 06:30 AM
#41
~>~
Having a well practiced drill for start/stop that smoothly powers off with the strong side, gets a firm seat and off-side clip-in immediately w/o looking down is just as important in the daily commute as it is in competition.
Getting a hole-shot for clear space to the racing line at pace in the 1st corner and moving off firmly from a traffic light in solid wobble free control to clear the intersection are the same skill practiced over and over until all of the elements become automatic and firmly impeded in the muscle memory. Stops: Same, same in reverse order.
As always, suit yourself.
-Bandera
05-21-18, 06:31 AM
#42
WALSTIB
I always run up from behind and jump on my bike. Maybe too many cowboy movies?
05-21-18, 06:34 AM
#43
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05-21-18, 06:44 AM
#44
don't try this at home.
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You forgot to include the "over the front wheel" or "over the back" dismounts.
And this GCN video is funny. 7 Magnificent Ways To Dismount Your Bicycle ( but no right side dismounts! )
~~~~
I almost always put my right foot down first. But either foot works, and with SPDs, I can wait until the last millisecond as I roll to a stop to unclip. I always start with the left foot pedal stroke, starting with the right feels weird.
And this GCN video is funny. 7 Magnificent Ways To Dismount Your Bicycle ( but no right side dismounts! )
~~~~
I almost always put my right foot down first. But either foot works, and with SPDs, I can wait until the last millisecond as I roll to a stop to unclip. I always start with the left foot pedal stroke, starting with the right feels weird.
Last edited by rm -rf; 05-21-18 at 06:56 AM.
05-21-18, 07:34 AM
#45
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Mounting and dismounting on the left comes from the days of using horses in war and needing to carry a weapon.
The left hand is used to grab the horn of the saddle and pull oneself up.
As most people are right handed, most soldiers brandish a sword or gun in their right hand.
The left hand is used to grab the horn of the saddle and pull oneself up.
As most people are right handed, most soldiers brandish a sword or gun in their right hand.
05-21-18, 08:11 AM
#46
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I've always mounted/dismounted from the left side. I have noticed that when I get ready to dismount, I often tend to put my right foot down with left foot still on the pedal while coming to a stop, lean to the right and catch myself with my right foot, then push over and fall to the left to catch myself with my left foot, then swing my right leg over the bike. I have no idea why I tend to do this a lot, but just something I noticed. It would be actually far more efficient to put my left leg down and make sure I fall to the left. And I'm not using clipless pedals or anything.
*edit* Actually now that I think about it, I do that because I'm often turning to the right when I'm getting ready to dismount, so having my right leg down makes sense.
*edit* Actually now that I think about it, I do that because I'm often turning to the right when I'm getting ready to dismount, so having my right leg down makes sense.
05-21-18, 09:24 AM
#47
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Road crown is on the left hereabouts,
so the ground is closer and less likely to involve pavement edge, gutter, etc.
Also a car is mounted from the left.
so the ground is closer and less likely to involve pavement edge, gutter, etc.
Also a car is mounted from the left.
05-21-18, 10:01 AM
#49
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Right foot down at lights, mount and dismount on right side for me. Using the left side feels very awkward. I am right handed and just strap my sword to the rack, so it hasn’t been a problem.
05-21-18, 01:11 PM
#50
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