I mount and dismount the cowboy way! Works for me. I am 64 and definitely don't have the flexibility I once had. Occasionally I get on and off the bike when it is stationary and I lean it over so I don't catch my foot on the seat. Joe

The BB on my Bike Friday is a LOT lower to the ground than on my 700c bike.

Yep, "cowboy Mount" that's the phrasing I was looking for. Since I am not the tallest fellow in the landscape, that is the way I taught my self and stuck with it. Might be a little awkward on a touring bike with panniers and stuff on a rear rack, but usually very easy since you already gain some inches off the ground. Now, orderly dismounting after a night of partying does not work regardless what option you choose.😁

​​​​​​ I've been on a horse or two in my day, actually roped for a few years. So I can cowboy up when needed ..
​ Just had to try this "cowboy way" this morning after reading about it.
Gave it some thought and put the left peddle at about the 8 o'clock position. Put my left foot on it and gave a little shove with my right leg. Thinkin yea hell yeah.... Went to throw my right leg over the saddle, thinkin to myself, this ain't nothing like a horse , horses aren't suppose to be moving when you throw a leg over My thigh hung up on the saddle about the same time as the front wheel must have hit a small patch of black ice, the front wheel and back also shot out from under me. Bucked off so to speak......
A time or two that I was dumped off the back of my horse I was up high enough that you can kind of look for a place to land. Uh huh not when a bike does it..... You're already too close to the ground....
My left heel snagged something maybe the ground and now I'm kind of falling but my back is facing the same direction my bike was intended to go. No way to catch myself or to even try to roll as I go ker splat, flat onto the ground...
As I lay there looking up at the beautiful blue sky, and wonder what the hell just happened, the German Shepherd we have took notice to me He decides it might be a good idea to clean out my ears. The cold hard ground is really starting to feel pretty good on my new knowledge knots starting to swell on various parts of my body, along with the warm cleansing ole shep was giving me.
Finally I thought I better at least try to get up. Much to my surprise I sat up and didn't feel so bad. Looked over at my steed and it lay there like maybe it was enjoying the day. Unlike any horse that ever threw me , I usually had to chase em down and check out the cinch. Got all the way up and felt good .
And like getting bucked off a horse, you better get right back on or you may never want to again. You have to face that fear, cuz that's the "cowboy way"......
So I stood there holding my bike I mustered up the courage and lifted my leg ever so gingerly over the saddle, cleared it pretty well and got it over without a problem But I just stood there with both feet firmly planted on the ground.. Lifted the left peddle to about 8 o'clock, put my foot on it and gave a little shove with the right foot and away I went...
Ridin a good bike ain't nothing like Ridin a good horse....

It's always a good day to ride.....
Jerry
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Jerry, I got the visual on that and it is very funny. You made my day! I hope you got a good ride in, Joe

You can always use the flying cyclocross method.

As easy as riding a bicycle...

https://www.wikihow.com/Mount-a-Bicycle

I do all that at home.

I step, not swing.

I think I'm a bit unstable when I do that.

If I could do that, I wouldn't have asked the question.

I think I started stepping in when I toured long distances and had a tent and sleeping bag on the top of my rear rack.

Now My favorite bikes are , Functionally, a step through .



Upon receiving this I added , Mudguards wired head and tail lights, Dyno hub in wheel already,
Bars (Trekking) , stem (shorter) Pedals,& saddle, (it shipped with neither)
I put a Lock, (Abus Bordo) pouch, in place if the bottle cage, bottle cage behind seat tube ..

This season I swapped brake calipers.. ( new; TRP Hy Rd )




..

Diamond Frames , If my hip was not willingly on the bodies teamwork,
I lay the bike on the ground..
step over it, and pick the bike up underneath me, ...







...

Is he getting on..... or is he coming off?.....LOL

Fifty years ago I could get on that exact same way, Today ? No ...

I've always stepped over the rear wheel and saddle. Now that I've lost some flex, I need to lay the bike a bit to the side but still mount the same. Toughest for me is mounting my bike on the trainer as I can't lay it over. I use a step stool and step over the top tube, which I hate. Add clipless pedals and mounting/dismounting ts way scarier than real road riding. I've often wondered how many have been injured falling while indoor training. Anybody willing to fess up?

I see old guys in countries other than the USA riding mixtes/step-thrus.

didn't read all replies so excuse me if this has been posted

leave yourself a note somewhere visible on your bike to remind you about being careful on the dismount

The flying cyclocross method, As Coached by Simon Burney,
author of several editions of a book on the subject,

Dismount, right foot, inside left, left still on the pedal , step off, start running .

Hopefully, with a minimal loss of momentum ..

yea , maybe at 35, not at 70..




...

Contrary to Arthur Peabody's claim, the taxpayers are not paying for his gym membership. He is going to the gym on his insurance company's dime, a benefit for which he is paying a premium to them through a Medicare Advantage Plan.

No, no, tell me it isn't so...

Some smart old guys in the U.S., unconcerned with the rituals of their more hidebound comrades, ride step-thrus when dismount/mounting issues occur with traditional diamond frames.

As said, lean the bike and lean into it. As long as you're on a stable ground the opposing leans should make your mount as solid as a rock.

Arthur, having taken mostly Seniors out on Day Trips, getting their leg over the seat is not the only concern for a fall. Since that fall can frequently cause a fractured hip or other serious injury I think you are right to be concerned. For this reason many riders have taken to riding Recumbent Trikes. Since the risk of strain or injury to your body is greatly reduced you can ride further & in greater comfort. Depending on your preferred riding style you can be equipped for city & comfort riding or hunkered down for high speed carving through the twisties. Just a possible alternative to risking a Laugh In dismount.

I agree, I swing my leg as you would mounting a horse, I have never seen anybody do it by bringing their foot across the cross bar. I would definitely fall if I did that.

I made my original argument flippantly, but it has 4 serious aspects:
1) I wouldn't pay to join a gym; I exercise at home and in the real world, so being in a program that 'prepays' for it makes the difference;

2) Ideally 'free' gym memberships save money; they will if they avoid greater medical costs;

3) The insurance company makes money or it goes out of business. It gets money from the government. It's not a charity;

4) Medicare hasn't collected enough money to pay for all the medical care recipients are scheduled to receive. Up to now, the average recipient receives 3 times what s/he has paid in.

5) All Medicare Advantage plans, even those without extra premiums, offer Silver Sneakers. Insurers get rebates for performance, how they make it pay.

I shop, often have significant weight loaded on the rear rack.

Yeah, its why I went with a step through. I caught my foot while trying out new bike at store.Went over backwards-all the time trying to dive under frame so it wouldn't scratch. It got a tiny one. After that I got an infection that spread to right hip joint and well I can't lift it sideways high enough to clear seat that way either. Low rise bikes are the cats meow to me. Keeps me riding past the age of needing a cane to get around walking. Keeping the legs strong.