Safety and Education Committee Report - Archive

Which Foot Down?

When you start off, one of your feet is on the pedal and you push off with the other one. To be safe you should push off with the foot that provides the most control. If either foot can be used I prefer pushing off with the right one.

When walking, we shift our weight onto one foot and lift the other one, placing it in the direction of travel. We then shift our weight onto the leading foot. We have often been told to “Start off on the right foot”. There are several advantages to following this advice when bicycling.

When you are pushing off, the pushing foot may slip and you could fall. If the right pushing foot slips you will end up in the ditch; if the left foot slips you could fall into the path of overtaking vehicles (been there, done that).

When you coast to a stop one foot stays on the pedal in the down position and the other foot is lowered to the ground. If the right pedal is down you can easily hit a curbing with it (done that too). If the right pedal is up you can get much closer to the curb. This will enable you to pass most stopped vehicles and wait at the stop line for the light to change. Oftentimes you can stay seated at a traffic light with the right foot on the curb and the other on the left pedal.

The drive train of a bicycle is located on the right side. If your foot is on the right pedal in the down position and you move the bike, your leg may come in contact with the chain. The dirt from the chain will leave a distinctive “Rookie Ring” on your leg. If you fall with your right foot attached to the pedal; the chainwheel could cut your leg. (It hurt to clean that one but I didn’t want a “Rookie Ring” tattoo.)

Starting off the new season on the right foot is nice idea but you should use whichever foot you feel safest with to push off.

Bill Fisk- Safety and Education

Safety and Education Coordinator