A question for cyclists - bicycle (pushbike) and motorbike* - in parts of the world where traffic drives on the right hand side of the road.
When you mount and unmount a bicycle, do you it from the left. Like with horses?**
When you put your foot out to stop at lights do you put out your left foot, if you are right footed?
It occured to me when riding my bike recently, that it would be more dangerous on a bike if passing traffic was moving to your left, unless you were left footed (which most people are not).
Is this a nuisance, do you not notice, or do you adapt by doing everything on the right of the bike?
*Probably not as big a deal with motorbikes, since they usually depart from a diagonal park.
** It will be difficult, but try to hold back with the double entendre.
Having ridden many a mile on my bicycles I always put down which ever foot is easier. If there is a curb on my right I place my right foot on the curb. If there is a curb on my left (it happens) I put down my left foot on the curb. If there is no curb I usually put down my left foot. :::shrug::: It’s so natural I had to think which foot I use when there is not curb.
As far as mounting goes, if there is no curb I like getting on my bike from the left.
[important info]When riding a tandem for the first time find talk to your partner before the first stop light and agree on which foot you will put down. Otherwise you will perform what is called a horizontal track stand at the light, much to the amusement of everyone else. [/II]
Australia: No adaptation. One just uses the foot/leg that’s dominant. Generally speaking, one doesn’t make any allowance for other traffic when riding a bike. It’s not like one can’t take up a whole lane with a pushie, giving oneself plenty of room.