You’re Mounting Your Bicycle All Wrong!

Most of us learned how to ride a bike when we were pretty young and fairly uncoordinated, and the first step in that long process was obviously getting on the bike. Hopefully you didn’t tip over too many times when you were first learning, but if you did, know that you weren’t alone! Even decades later, just getting on the bike (also known as mounting the bike) is one of the most difficult aspects of riding for a lot of folks. The following guide from our bike shop in Naples, FL will help you learn how to mount your bike so you won’t tip over injure yourself or embarrass yourself in front of the other people in your riding group.

Step 1: Buy the right size bike

Before you even think about mounting a bike, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve purchased the correct size bike for your height. As you may already know, bicycles aren’t one-size-fits-all machines. They come in various sizes to accommodate people with different leg lengths. Buying a bike that’s too big for your legs is going to result in improper mounting, tipping over and possible injury. Don’t buy a bike from a big box store—visit a bike shop in Naples, FL and let an experienced cyclist measure you and get you set up with the proper equipment.

Step 2: Swing your leg

After you’ve taken the plunge and purchased the right bike, it’s time to hop on and go for a spin! Swing your non-dominant leg over the body of the bike. In other words, if you’re left handed, swing your right leg over the bike. If you’re right handed, put your left leg over the bike first. Now you’re standing with the bike between your legs.

Step 3: Put your dominant foot on the pedal

Now that the bike is between your legs, you can put your dominant foot on the pedal. Don’t put too much pressure on it so that you tip over, though—just enough to be able to stand up without pinching the seat with your legs. Your non-dominant foot should still be on the ground supporting you so that you don’t tip over.

Step 4: Push off

Keep both hands on the handlebars and use your non-dominant foot to start rolling the bike forward along the ground. The motion looks like what a skateboarder does while riding down the street. The key to this step is going slowly. After all, you’re not a skateboarder, and pushing off is only the first step in getting you started on your journey.

Step 5: Pedal!

Now that you have a little momentum from pushing forward, you can bring your non-dominant leg up to the other pedal and start pumping your legs to really get going. To get the most out of each pedaling motion, try to keep the balls of your feet on the pedal, not your whole foot.

At Big Momma’s Bicycles, we’re always eager to help new and longtime cyclists get the most out of their bikes. For more tips on riding bikes, and to buy all the equipment you need for a good ride, visit our bike shop in Naples, FL today!

Categorised in: Bike Shop