Powered by Outside

Pinkbike Poll: Which Foot Do You Ride With Forward?

Oct 9, 2020
by Daniel Sapp  
photo
Left foot forward, turns best left.

One of those things you probably don't think about all that often is where your feet are on the pedals. Every rider has a tendency to ride with one foot or the other forward out of comfort, but is there any rhyme or reason to it? I ride left foot forward and like to turn left over turning right. I don't know if that preference for left turns came from all of the counter-clockwise laps I did in my driveway as a kid or a mysterious vortex drifting over from the dirt track NASCAR race a few miles away from our house which echoed through the woods every Saturday. Or maybe it's related to me being right handed, or something else altogether; either way, left foot forward is intuitive and the way to ride for me.

What about you? Does you favor one foot over the other when you're standing or descending? Does it change at times? Does it have anything to do with being right or left handed? Answer the few polls below and then we'll break out the science in the comments and get to the bottom of this.


Which foot do you ride with forward?


Which foot forward coorelates to the way you spin or hip?



Does your favored foot correlate with your favored hand?



Posted In:
Other Polls


Author Info:
danielsapp avatar

Member since Jan 18, 2007
476 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
First Ride: The 2025 Specialized Stumpjumper Has a New Dual Chamber Air Shock
105190 views
[UPDATED] Elite Final Results & Overall Standings from the Les Gets DH World Cup 2024
80823 views
SRAM Releases S-1000 Budget Transmission Drivetrain
66223 views
It's Not Presta, It's Not Schrader - Schwalbe Introduces New Clik Valve
63021 views
Semi-Final Results from the Les Gets DH World Cup 2024
46221 views
Drone Manufacturer DJI Debuts Light & Powerful eMTB Motor - Eurobike 2024
39125 views
Elite Qualifying Results from the Les Gets DH World Cup 2024
33987 views
Dangerholm's New Sub-13-Pound Scott Scale is Probably the World's Lightest 29er - Eurobike 2024
31644 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

399 Comments
  • 482 13
 This is perfect--I was just thinking that we need more tribalism. All you right foot forward people are freaks and from this day forward I refuse to ride with you.
  • 140 33
 @facelessghost: I hear you man. Them right foot forward, doomsday preachin, wall building, bleach guzzling mutha f*uckers.
  • 427 1
 Pick a foot and be a dick about it.
  • 35 1
 @Samuel-L-Jackson: peoples front of judea, splitters
  • 21 9
 Maaan, F*K right footed people!
  • 52 0
 @flattire: Ugh, are those rubber marks on your right chainstay? euww!
  • 19 0
 I prefer the term Goofy footed, but that’s because I look like the Disney character of the same name...
  • 23 1
 @crazyXCsquirrel: My size 13 right hoof is comin for your ass
  • 12 2
 That is why it is called "goofy foot". Wink
  • 1 1
 People of Lilliput rejoice!
  • 59 0
 This is nuts I thought right foot forward riders were the majority
  • 34 1
 I skate Goofy but ride Regular. Never. Push. Mongo.
  • 10 0
 @Korbi777: You heathen, it's the Judean peoples front!
  • 3 0
 right foot, chain-stay rub gang!!
  • 2 0
 @danny611: bloody c*ck wipers!
  • 7 0
 All the right foot forward people are ... Goofy.
  • 17 0
 Everybody form a circle Put your left foot in Your left foot out Your left foot in And shake it all about You do the hokey pokey And turn yourself around Now put your right foot in Your right foot out Right foot in Then you shake it all about And then you do the hokey pokey Turn yourself around That's what it's all about
  • 7 1
 I heard right foot forwards means you made a deal with the devil.
  • 5 0
 @likeittacky: it’s the Hokey Cokey not pokey,
  • 2 0
 @mr-ed: Kerffule EH' Hoser
  • 6 1
 @Samuel-L-Jackson: those types would just pick a hero who is also right-foot-forward and expect all to be shamelessly forgiven, as long as the hero retains that revered status.

Loic Bruni, Gee Atherton, Danny Hart, Ratboy, Tahnee Seagrave, Mick Hannah, Loris Vergier, Laurie Greenland, Bernard Kerr, Thibaut Daprela, Finn Illes, Thomas Estaque, Charlie Hatton, David Trummer, Matthew Walker...

*worshipping of these heroes from right-foot-forward types intensifies*
  • 40 1
 This blew my friggin mind. How is it that... a) right handers are left foot dominant cyclists (who probably are right foot dominant soccer players, who also skateboard with their left foot forward- or is that also all totally wrong)?
b) all these left foot forward folks who turn best to the left all of a sudden become either right foot forward spin/hip left or left foot forward spin/hip left folks... like 50% of you just switch foot preference if their is a jump involved? Tf?
c) most people turn best to the left regardless of foot preference- is this some innate cognitive science type shizz that we just unlocked?
d) most people are right handed, left footed cyclists, who like going left (spin or turn) 50% more than they like going right and basically nobody other than left footers wants to spin or turn right at all.

All of this is especially baffling to me as a right handed, right foot dominant, left foot forward skateboarder/snowboarder, who prefers to ride a bike with his right foot forward (but I at least agree with the turning/spinning right part- it’s a friggin weird feeling)
  • 1 0
 @Samuel-L-Jackson:
Lol. Thats good
  • 3 0
 @fishmanjohn: All the right foot forward people are just riding switch or fakie. Lol.
  • 38 3
 @bicimane: I have a theory about this.

If you are right side dominant and you first learned to ride on a bike with a coaster brake...You instinctively set up with your right foot back, ready to stomp the brake.
  • 5 0
 In the skateboard world there called penis pushers
  • 2 0
 @tullie: Your the expert evidently.
  • 1 1
 @powderhoundbrr: Pleased to meet you. Hope you guess my name. But what's puzzling you. Is the nature of my game.
  • 3 0
 @me2menow: so this is what its like being a minority?!?
  • 5 0
 I mean, it’s in the name. I’m using the right foot. Everyone else is... what’s the opposite of right again? Oh yeah... wrong!
  • 1 0
 @bicimane: interesting huh?
  • 9 0
 @bicimane: I am right handed, kick with my right foot and ride left foot forward. In any sport I participate that involves kicking (soccer and karate, mainly), it is easier/stronger to kick with my dominant right foot if I start from a stance that is left foot at the front, right foot at the back.

or maybe it correlate to the way I brake? I use the left brake lever for front braking. Razz
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: opposite here - skate/board regular, but right foot fwd... and I'm even weirder as I'm right handed and wear my watch on my right hand LOL
  • 2 0
 @rossp: Well if we are baring our souls, I am totally right-handed but only write left-handed. I cannot write right-handed. It kinda messed with my graffiti career bc you are pushing the pen forward and I was also sent to the office in second grade when they tried to 'correct' my writing-handedness.
  • 1 0
 @Samuel-L-Jackson: right footed...left winged
  • 3 0
 You don’t have to worry - Us righties are faster than you, so you’ll never see us anyway.

RIGHTIES RULE!!

* kicks over lamp on the way out *
  • 3 0
 @bicimane: I'm with you on all that. Definitely interesting data here.
I even confuse myself as a right handed, right foot forwarder that turns and spins left. I ride a skateboard with my left foot forward but snowboard right foot forward. I swing a bat and a golf club left foot forward but play lacrosse and hockey lefty.

Brains are weird.
  • 1 0
 @rifu: good call
  • 2 0
 @huntingbears: not a bad theory.

I fall into this category.
  • 3 0
 @ left foot forward rider here , prefer right turns and throw the back wheel out to the left in the air, figured having the inside foot ( right) at the back helps push the back end out .
Snowboard regular .
Food for thought, Is the reason most the hip jumps at Whistler require you to throw the back wheel to the right because most people are right foot forward?
  • 1 0
 @BhamRid3r: What happens when you eat to many Froot Loops.
  • 1 1
 I mean, Semenuk rides right foot forward, and he's pretty good. How bad can it be?
  • 1 0
 @danny611: where was that popular front again
  • 1 0
 @mr-ed: I've seen a movie where is was pokey ????
  • 2 0
 @bicimane: blew uoue mind cis they actually asked the wrong question.
Its more pertinant as to which foot is to the rear cos that will be your stronger dominant foot.
Falls butter side up now.
  • 2 0
 @rifu: right foot forward, goofy footed skater, left hand front brake, right handed, shoots/kicks mainly with right foot.

Just blew your theory outta the window, brur ????
  • 1 0
 Made my day....and not just because I'm left foot forward.
  • 1 0
 @flattire:
  • 2 1
 @suspended-flesh: always. push. mongo.
  • 2 0
 Damn, and here I always thought I was right foot forward, and I was the normal one. Why would left be normal? I have no clue, as most people are right handed.
  • 2 0
 @huntingbears: I have left foot front because you need your right foot to get all the power from the range of movement when initiating a kick in the nuts, so it goes when peddaling,
  • 1 0
 @bicimane: Hmm, i am right handed, i ride goofy (right foot forward) on skateboards, snowboards, ..., i play soccer with my left foot and i am left foot forward while mountainbiking. An i prefer to turn right with my mtb Smile
So it's all over the place
  • 2 0
 @facelessghost, there is some common ground. Notice the majority all turn left best!
  • 1 0
 @tachril: you are an outlier Rif hahah

In all seriousness, give alternative explanation then. I was responding to @bicimane case point (a). Your preference is clearly outside the definition of case point (a).
  • 1 0
 Ride forward, got it, right? Don't left your foot in wrong place.
  • 2 0
 @Korbi777: Judean People's Front!
  • 2 0
 @bicimane: Maybe we need to breakdown UK versus North American answers as which side you drive on could impact cornering habits. I know on my motorcycle I turn left better as well.
  • 1 0
 @Kramz: Playing BIKE at skatepark we learned that calling what foot forword was evil and it got everyone to try to air a quarter switch foot and oppo. Switch lead to many near death experiences but oppo just made everybody air super low feeling sketchy.
  • 2 0
 @huntingbears: I wonder if there's any correlation to eye dominance. I'm left-eye-dominant, right-handed, left-foot-forward, and spin + turn best to the left.

Test by focusing on a distant object like a doorknob, and try to circle it with your thumb and forefinger. Close each eye to see which one your hands chose to focus on. Test with both hands and approach the object from different angles, to avoid blocking the view of one of your eyes, to see which eye you rely on more frequently.
  • 1 0
 @likeittacky: brilliant lol
  • 3 0
 @bicimane: left foot forward is not left foot dominant. You use your back foot to control the rear end and your body's weight distribution more than the front. Look up Universal Athletic Position and how it relates to handedness.
  • 1 0
 @beetardfoozer: Not necessarily. I know a lot of people who are right leg dominant but are goofy footed. Also, seems like more women are goofy and men regular in snowboarding.
  • 1 0
 lol
  • 1 0
 @beetardfoozer: Thank you, someone's making sense now
  • 1 0
 @tacklingdummy: yeah, and i know ambidextrous people, still doesn't negate that a vast majority have a dominant hand, and most of those are right handed.
There is published research on the topic.
  • 1 0
 @beetardfoozer: The people I know that are right leg dominant and ride goofy are not ambidextrous. The one person I know who is ambidextrous rides regular. Where is the published research on the topic? I want to read it.
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: You don't choose the mongo life. The mongo life chooses you
  • 2 0
 @DaFreerider44: when I push mongo as the skate park I always get laughed at
  • 150 1
 I mount my pedals directly to my bottom bracket spindle.
  • 5 0
 moto!!
  • 8 2
 Next generation of full auto eBikes.
  • 11 0
 @Jamminator: Full semi-auto*
  • 2 0
 Ebiker!
  • 4 0
 Adult stryder
  • 3 0
 Like this? www.vitalmtb.com/community/gabs,47889/setup,37725
  • 1 0
 @crazyXCsquirrel: Assault eBicycle
  • 118 2
 When I go full scorpion, it's both feet above and behind my head.
  • 3 5
 Hahahahahahahaaaa. That is gold
  • 2 1
 And a dusty tire tread mark down the center of your back
  • 105 3
 what sort of disturbing psychopath doesn't have a foot forward preference? they need to be sectioned.
  • 20 0
 I have been practicing leading with either foot. I can do it while riding with the kids but when i do an advanced ride left forward, its way to hard to switch on technical trails.
  • 7 2
 Ist also seems there are people that prefer turning right to turning left, I mean, what’s wrong with those guys? Must be something happened in their youth...
  • 2 0
 @FuzzyL: I am one of the people who cant turn as well right as left, my excuse is i am waiting on shoulder surgery.
  • 26 1
 I have no feet. I am offended.
  • 10 0
 I once did 210 laps on the pumptrack. About 75 in, I realized certain muscles weren't gonna hold up unless I went switch. Awkward af.
  • 2 0
 @fabwizard: I've wondered about trying to do this. What benefits do you find that practicing with the opposite foot brings to your normal riding?
  • 10 0
 @FuzzyL: Ever heard of Derek Zoolander?
  • 2 2
 @fabwizard: foot switchers also tend to back pedal in order to achieve it which leads to more chain drop in tech sections
  • 1 0
 @andrewbikeguide: I have a habit of always pedaling forward generally so I will have to see what I do while switching

I come from the age of chain drop so it was a habit that I have kept to pedal as your chain can get lifted back on with a quick forward pedal between turns
  • 1 0
 @FuzzyL: . . Must have never ridden a dirt bike.
  • 1 0
 @CaMKii: so far I can only ride medium trails switch.

I think my old brain will take a while.

I think it will help in jumping on single track where you may only have time for half pedal or similar situations
  • 2 0
 @LukeBurgie: a lot of people here apparently are not ambiturners
  • 1 0
 @andrewbikeguide: yes. I am fighting this. On flat turns where you put the outside foot down. I found myself back pedaling to set up for the next turn.
  • 2 0
 @Ghamel: Yes I have. But coming from a road bike I had already developed a strong preference for left turns by then. And of course I was kidding there...
  • 1 0
 @LukeBurgie: Yep, I know Zoolander. You ever heard of a comedian by the name Sebastian Maniscalco?
  • 1 0
 @FuzzyL: yes. Hilarious bloke. Only discovered him recently.
  • 2 0
 @AllMountin: so true.
  • 2 0
 They didn't ask preference. They asked what foot is forward. Not the best question. I suspect I am like a lot of others in that I switch back and forth for various reasons, but when turns are not involved and it's really gnarly, I prefer left foot forward. Lots of people switch for turns, but I also switch on mellower sections of long downhill runs to give my right leg muscles a break. Would highly recommend trying it.
  • 1 0
 @andrewbikeguide: switch a lot and no problem. if you're dropping chains with today's drivetrains, something's off somewhere.
  • 1 0
 i've trained myself so that i can ride just as well with either foot forward. it really helps when you accidently come into a section not set up properly.
  • 92 0
 Everyone that didn't vote how I voted is riding their bike wrong. Trust me, I tried your way but it just feels weird.
  • 9 1
 This is CLEARLY the superior way to ride mtb. You don't even have a chance of breaking into the top 200 on any Strava leaderboard if you don't ride this way.
  • 68 0
 I ride like I dance, with two left feet.
  • 59 2
 What we really need to put to rest is which way is "goofy". Right foot forwards is clearly the goofy direction and likely associated with being a menace to society.
  • 21 5
 technically goofy is when you spin towards your front foot. it should feel more comfortable to spin away from your front foot.
  • 20 1
 I'm regular foot snowboard and skateboard. So left foot forward is regular and the opposite is goofy. Turning right feels like a backside turn on a board. Turning left is like frontside.
  • 1 0
 @njparider: Ride opposite of your native stance and feels like fakie or switch.
  • 6 0
 @Hofe2234: yep, common knowledge in bmx
  • 8 0
 @Hofe2234: you got it, for most people it's the rear foot help with the spin. Ryan Nyquist is goofy.

It supprises.me that on the pole more people were left foot forward (not what I have observed) and that most of those people prefer to spin left, i.e goofy.
  • 5 0
 @TheBrickOriginal: That's because most probably don't even know. They're probably assuming their spin direction would be the same as their preferred cornering direction.
  • 7 1
 Picture yourself running towards a frozen lake - you are going to slide on it with 2 feet - one foot will naturally be out front. If you put your right foot forward you are Goofy.
  • 1 0
 @njparider: never surfed or snowboarded but I feel like I understand what you mean.
  • 2 0
 @TheBrickOriginal: Yeah. What's up with all these goofy left footed riders?
  • 2 1
 @njparider: In biking theres only left foot or right foot forward. goofy is when you do tricks or turn to your "opposite" side
  • 1 0
 I used to snowboard with a buddy that rode left foot frwd but when in the lift line unstrapping that foot, using his right foot frwd to get through the line and sit in the chair. Imagine if you can, how this twist the board, impeding everyone around and getting on and off the lift with him was a total conundrum.
  • 2 0
 @njparider: Yes... and I'm the opposite, I'm a goofy skateboarder and right with my right foot forward.

On another note, I snowboard with my left foot forward (regular), but I should be goofy. I started snowboarding a year before skateboarding. I just walked into a "sports store" and bought a snowboard... learned to ride regular before I even really knew there was regular and goofy. Next summer I started skateboarding and my buddy is like "Hey, don't you snowboard regular?" Me: "Ya, why?" Him: "Well you're skating goofy". Me: "Hmm... too late now!" I snowboarded a lot, lived in Whistler for a couple years, had a couple minor sponsors and competed quite a bit... never really seemed to hold me back. Maybe even helped me a bit... I was always pretty good a switch spins...
  • 2 0
 @TheBrickOriginal:
I think it’s because they conflated hipping with spinning, which are not the same. I’m RFF, prefer to hip to the right, but suck at spinning to the right.
  • 1 0
 @MegaStoke: Well. The term hip is used to refer to both a jump with offset landing (translational hip), and also to a jump with a landing that is in line with take off, but is not pointed in the same direction as the take off (rotational hip).
In this context they clearly mean rotational hip.
Normal riders will rotate better to the direction of back foot, and translate better to the direction of front foot.
  • 2 0
 @c-radicallis: I got that, and meant rotational hip too. For some reason, I find it easier to hip one way, but spin the other, and I know other riders who feel the same way. I think it’s because I usually table the bike on hips, and I find tables easier with my front foot on the low side of the bike.
  • 1 0
 @c-radicallis: You left out Hip
Hip means either cool or "same" like they can relate. It depends on the way you use it but hip can mean either same, I feel you, or cool.

Yea Yea I'm Hip I'm Hip on that Hip!
  • 1 0
 @likeittacky: We're talking hip in the specific context of riding bikes
  • 1 0
 @c-radicallis: Yea that's Hip
  • 42 1
 Y'all are putting your feet on your pedals? I just stay seated and have my legs off to the sides to help balance
  • 35 0
 Found the guy from every Friday Fails video ever.
  • 3 1
 Me too, just going Weeeeeeeeee!!!!?!
  • 1 0
 The old flying "W"!
  • 33 0
 Superman Position Descenders, unite against this non-inclusive poll.
  • 20 0
 Strange there's no question about which hand you put on the handlebar and which one in your pocket. I'm a right hand on bar, left in pocket kind of guy. But here's where I'm different: I put that left hand in my RIGHT pocket. And not even my front one, my RIGHT REAR pocket. Mostly to make sure my wallet is still there.
  • 13 0
 We missed "which hand do you grab your bottle with?"
  • 4 0
 @brianpark: Stupid grown ups. I still need two hands to hold my bottle. That said, I'm already way past the stage of lying on my back and holding my bottle between two feet.
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: isn't that decided by the side your rear brake is on?
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: also missed the opportunity to find a correlation between foot forward and left hung/right hung.

We all know which way Mike L leans on that.
  • 22 0
 Skateboard right foot forward but ride left foot forward????
  • 2 0
 Same!
  • 3 0
 @Dogl0rd: Ya'll are freaks of nature. Probably some alien DNA.
  • 2 0
 @jefe: help us please!!! Is anyone listening?? Helpppp usss
  • 3 0
 Scrolled for 5 minutes to find somebody like me. What is wrong with us?
  • 2 0
 Same. Just assumed that left pedal foot forward was goofy too (or at least the minority). Very surprised to see the opposite - not as obvious as watching boardriders. Good poll!
  • 1 0
 Snowboard left foot forward but skateboard right foot forward.
  • 1 0
 Yep same here, Skate/Snowboard right foot forward, bike left foot forward.
Right handed for writing, shoot a hockey stick left, golf & bat right.

I have no idea what's going on with me tbh
  • 1 0
 But what way do you spin turn? I'm goofy snowboard, but prefer backside spins (apparently frontside is the norm since you aren't blind).

I bike left foot forward but favor turning to the left (which would be frontside). Same rotational direction favored regardless of foot forward.

Actually, when I ride switch on a snowboard I favour frontside spins, so I guess I just really like counter clockwise.
  • 3 0
 I think left food forward on a bike is normal for a righty. That's the way we balance athletically. A righty puts their left door forward throwing a ball and in the boxing stance, for example. What I don't get is why I then skate goofy
  • 1 0
 skateboard right foot forward longboard left snowboard left bike right
  • 18 0
 I sometimes try to ride opposite footed to use a bit different muscles and it is so awkward. Riding switch on a snowboard or even skateboard feels less awkward than switch footed on a bike.
  • 1 0
 So true
  • 18 0
 I've actually mounted both crank arms in the same direction because I couldn't decide, looks goofy pedalling, but very moto...
  • 11 0
 This made me laugh harder than it should have. Just imagining someone humping along like a loon.
  • 1 0
 Have you trying it on your e-bike?
  • 3 0
 @aljoburr: no, riding an ebike would be ridiculous
  • 13 0
 I was always left foot forward but years ago noticed that my forward leg would fatigue earlier. This was back in HT XC racing days so '97, also I time I was motivated by martial arts and so made a concentrated effort to ride with my non-dominant leg forward (right). It was awkward at first but persistence made a big difference and I was able to become comfortable either way. Now it's totally natural and I switch legs often during descents. Makes a big difference for cornering and overall balance and fatigue levels to be able to ride either way. Also makes sketchy sidehills not as big of a deal if you are comfortable either way.
  • 7 0
 I got good at snowboarding switch growing up riding with the family... well just when my mom was there. She slowed us down enough I’d just spend the whole day riding switch. Powder is still awkward switch though. Maybe once I start riding bikes with my kids more I will do the same with switch pedal feet.
  • 13 0
 @iantmcg: Same concept. I'd imagine it gave good benefits for boarding.

Now try brushing your teeth with non dominant hand. LOL shitshow
  • 3 0
 @heatproofgenie: lol... I’m not sure I even want to try that. Being able to snowboard switch is so nice for long traverses. You feet and legs don’t get near as sore. Of course if keeping your elevation on a traverse is paramount I am better regular on that for sure.
  • 14 3
 I'd be interested to see the correlation of which foot forward against what side of the road your country drives on. Drive on the right, you'd typically have your right foot on the sidewalk before riding off so you're leaning away from the road, so you'd favour left foot forward for initial push off. In the UK, driving on the left, my left foot is always on the pavement before setting off, so right foot forward gets the initial propulsion.
  • 13 2
 So British.. you always have to be special! Btw, I always wondered which way is left and right in Britain? Is it the same like in the rest of the world or opposite?
  • 1 0
 I learned to put my right foot on the pedal first after slicing my right ankle with my chainring because I started with my left foot on the pedal.
  • 2 0
 @danielsapp can you cross reference this data?
  • 3 0
 @pakleni: the real question is whether the first gear on manual transmission is closer or further to the driver?
I already know that the clutch is to the left like in the rest of the world. But what about the gears?
  • 2 0
 I'd reckon this has sweet f.a. to do with it as this has more to do with pedaling than coasting, also who the f*ck is setting off with one foot on a pavement? Roadies, that's who.
  • 1 0
 i don't tend to be anywhere near a pavement or road when i ride!
  • 1 1
 @pakleni: When I FORGET which side of the road I should be on, I think of cycling down highway 101 in CA
Funny thing is rarely ride there?
  • 3 0
 @me2menow: I almost added that poll in. It would be interesting, no doubt.
  • 1 0
 We drive on the left side of the road. I ride left foot forward.
  • 1 0
 @rifu: Switch it up a bit, you will be surprised how it improves your riding?
  • 1 1
 @me2menow: No data hear !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! j
Just try switching it up a bit, will help when you previously run out of skills?
  • 1 1
 @aljoburr: wtf?
  • 1 0
 @aljoburr: I do switch it up sometimes. Mainly during half-an-hour long trackstand or continuous laps at pumptrack. No problem with trackstand. Still feels weird on pumptrack but it sure does let me ride longer, spreading the load on different leg and hip muscles.

Never bother to switch it up on the trail. Going full gas on my local 6 minute tech trail will kill my hand first before my legs.
  • 1 0
 @rifu: Try leaning in to corners so deep that can just clip your pedal, then do the same switch footed & forget about track stands one you can do one minute?
  • 1 0
 @aljoburr: naaah bar dragging is not my cup of tea. Even with my dominant foot forward I just can't commit to the lean.

Were you asking If I can do a minute of switch footed trackstand? Sure, easy peasy.
  • 13 1
 you guys don't switch feet depending on the bike lean?
  • 3 0
 I do for sure. I like to on successive slalom berms
  • 5 0
 Yes, but the poll is merely asking for a neutral position. As if you stood up and stopped pedaling on the street.
  • 1 1
 Do you not?
  • 12 0
 Where's the option, "I can't hip right nor left?"
  • 1 0
 What are hip and spin with regards to mountain biking?
  • 1 0
 Try it with your big boy body armour on?

www.amazon.co.uk/Gilbert-Boys-Blitz-Body-Armour/dp/B088NXSTK6
  • 12 2
 How to be a Mountain Biker Step 16: Pick a foot to ride forward with and be a dick about it.
  • 5 0
 Interesting this just popped up. My next Science episode for the tube (after juice bottle hacks and heated grips) is about this correlation and tips on how to trick the mind to become more neutral in turn bias.
  • 3 0
 When (Pete) Jesus does one with the boots still on, does it get expelled left or right boot first??
  • 1 0
 Would be interested in this?
Have been riding & building on the same area of ground almost every day for last 10 years & wonder whither or not favor building left hips or right?
Definitely pump better with right foot forward?
  • 4 0
 One of the best ways to improve your bike handling and cornering is to consciously be shifting feet and weighting your forward foot to the outside of corners/downhill side of cambers getting fluid shifting feet and weighting the outside has definitely improved my riding dramatically over the years.


Still prefer left foot forward but in all but the chunkiest of terrain I fluidly shift between feed.
  • 3 0
 Came scrolling for this. Tight moves around rocks and stumps, pivoting on the front wheel, quick pedal strokes between corners, etc all get much easier if you get used to swapping feet.
  • 1 1
 Try riding chain less, surprising difficult to move your feet around, now try frame whips chain less?
Would recommend shin pads or bloody shins?
  • 4 1
 When I raced DH, tracks were almost all raw, so they were off camber regardless. I would suck on courses where the camber of the track was on the same side as my back foot b/c staying clipped in I couldn't dab on the uphill side and let my front foot (left foot) drop to weight the outside pedal.
So if a course wrapped around a mountain from left to right, I got frustrated.

If the track wrapped the mountain from right to left & I could weight my back foot more, I did better. Snakerock (pre-Neko & Sean) at WIndrock went around the mountain to the left and then 180's and wraps all the way back around to the right. I could haul going left and then I couldn't keep my crap together coming back across.

I do it because of my childhood riding moto. You can drag the back brake going into lefts with a foot out and then dump the clutch.

But in right handers, you have your foot on that back brake too far into a turn, you get out of whack. A pro pointed out to me how the arc of 180 degree turns is different after the line gets burned in for rights and lefts.
  • 4 1
 I've always wanted someone to analyze World Cup tracks and see if there is a camber bias to tracks that different back footed riders excel on.
  • 7 0
 @blowmyfuse
@EliotJackson is probably the right man for the job.
  • 5 0
 I ride a bike right foot forward but skateboard with my left foot forward. I never realized it until a few years ago when a riding buddy pointed it out.
  • 3 0
 Spins and hips don't go together for me. Hips and whips together sure, but not spins. I am assuming that is why the results on that question look how they do...most people dont spin, but most do hip. I am left foot forward, hip or whip to the left more naturally, but I spin to the right easier. That being said, hitting dirt jumps oppo foot forward, right, I get more boost easier...I have found oppo foot forward, right, makes me spin oppo, left, easier as well....
  • 1 0
 Came here to say this. I am left foot forward but i Spin right. I can hip or air left or right. but for alley oops, 3's and the like its always to the right.
  • 1 0
 Same here. Left foot forward, spinning to the left is oppo/frontside and to the right is natural. Moto whip better to the right and carving the lip/table whip left. Left hips are lovely for 1 legger tables.
  • 6 0
 Ya... i don't believe the spinning/hipping stats. Should read 90% "I don't spin/hip"
  • 1 0
 As rare as dj bikes are I’d 100% agree!
  • 3 0
 I'm all over the place with hand and foot preference. I'm left handed so lead with my right foot on my bike. Play football right footed bu ok with left, tennis left handed,.golf right, cricket right hand bat but left hand bowl, skate board and surf groovy footed. Scissors right handed????
  • 5 0
 I'm curious, you guys who are serial derailleur destroyers, which side are you on? (My theory is a right rear foot is giving the derailleur a natural cover.)
  • 3 0
 My guess is that the preference for turning left (regardless of foot forward or handedness) had little to do with foot position and everything to do with the location of the front brake lever in North America. Cornering (especially in steep switchbacks) requires careful modulation of the front brake. This is easy to do in a left turn, as that hand is weighted and close to your body. The opposite is true on a right turn—your brake lever is far away and you’re mostly keeping weight off the bar on that side.
  • 4 0
 I am convinced it is not so much left foot forward as it is right foot back...derived from learning to ride bikes with a coaster brake and using your stronger right leg for braking.
  • 3 0
 At the time I am seeing these results, left foot forward and spin left is in the lead. This is most entirely not normal and would raise eyebrows in BMX where someone let foot forward who spins left would probably be grinding left and then 180-ing out "hard way" as their easy way. We need a detailed follow-up article here. This really does not add up.
  • 2 0
 In terms of optimal physics, forces, and dynamic weight transfer for control, I alternate forward feet — R foot forward in R corners, L forward in L corners. Right foot in 1:30 position (viewed from the driveside / right) for right corners, left foot in 10:30 position (viewed from the non-driveside / left) for left corners.
  • 10 2
 Should be the other way around, then your hips tilt the right direction.
  • 2 0
 @EnduroManiac: Naw, it’s about how you shift weight fore-and-aft — and apply forward-pedal force to get the rear wheel to break loose...or likwise bias forces and weighting to improve front wheel weighting when needed. Hips are minimal compared to these effects.
  • 2 0
 @EnduroManiac: If hips were so key, then how do pros corner both ways when nearly all ride exclusively with one foot forward? They do it by shifting their whole body (and hips) with whatever foot they have forward — but they could benefit from my technique in corners and situations where they’re not massive shifted (including hips) to the outside of their bike. Hips are a minimal concern relative to fore/aft wheel weighting, applying pedal forces, and other techniques and body movements to affect perfect wheel weighting and force application through your feet (which of course bear a large amount of rider weight). And having inside-pedal-rearward limits the ability to apply fine weight and force inputs (as weighting the inside foot will transfer weight to the rear wheel, and weighting the outside foot, which would be forward, would tend to stand the bike upright). Of course people can adapt, but I’ve done it both ways and prefer alternating with my method to any other method...took 3 years to master though, but I’m riding better than ever.
  • 2 0
 @EnduroManiac: Interestingly, 74% more people above (at current response rates) prefer L foot forward for L corners, and R foot forward for R corners, than opposite foot forward of either corner direction.

I kind of wish this survey would’ve been designed and conducted in a more scientific manner, likely with a sequence of maybe 10 or 12 questions to parse out what’s going on and to illuminate some trends (without requiring respondents to think about a bunch of different combinations of options in the survey above). Those responses could then be displayed in graphs and analyzed in a more scientifically-meaningful manner. Maybe that could be a follow-up survey and story, also discussing the physics of fore/aft weighting relative to forward foot / corner direction, alternating feet, dynamic weight transfer and force application to pedals, and so forth.
  • 3 0
 @EnduroManiac: Biking is pretty much like skiing...you lead with the foot on the inside....if you're good anyway...
  • 1 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: Exactly!!!
  • 2 1
 @takeiteasyridehard: and telemark is the other way around because you are not limited by the rigidity of the shoe/ski liaison. And it works at least as good.
  • 2 0
 @EnduroManiac: You are right, in that I forgot telemark. But, I disagree that it works as well as an analogy for mtb. When discussing mtb cornering technique it is implied that speed and control are the goal. An alpine ski setup has the ability to go faster with more control than telemark, and is just a better analogy for the proper way to ride a bike fast.

Why do telemark bindings keep getting more and more spring tension, not allowing you to lunge as deep? Why have alpine bindings not changed in 70 years? It is because one, alpine, offers far more control. The average tele-joe cannot outperform the average alpine skier anywhere on the hill. Telemark is a disadvantage that eccentric, possibly nostalgic, possibly backcountry oriented skiers choose simply for a challenge and because it is fun - not to be able to perform better...
  • 1 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: again, the only reason why your leading foot is the inside foot is skiing is only due to restrictions by the boots. Try to put your inside foot backward of the other. Your hip are gonna hate you!
Anyway I found the pole super interesting as whatever your leading foot is, people corner better left. It’s less obvious for the hip, But still a similar trend, less pronounced.
In my case, when cornering I tend to have my outside foot down, adding a little clearance inside and pushing with the outside leg, so much that it ends a little backward, like... skiing Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: what you are referring to is called tip lead in skiing and it is actually improper form. If your outside ski is trailing then your hips open up and you lose ample pressure on the outside ski. As a racing coach I spend alot of time working with athletes to correct this problem. The simplest way to be mindful of correcting this is to think about pulling your inside foot back underneath you. I guarantee you will engage your edges with more control and create more energy exiting the turn if you can eliminate tip lead.
  • 2 0
 @roadrunner1212: I think what you are saying is too much tip lead takes pressure off your inside ski. I suppose it depends at what part of your turn you are in, how much lead is optimal. I have friends who were on the US Ski team, and I am sure their coaches didnt discourage it. Maybe in slalom, where you dont lean over or hold your turn as long- it's more angulation below the waist and skis need to be closer for quicker transitions. But GS and DH, your power comes primarily from the downhill ski, and relatively more tip lead is required. I am sure as a coach you are familiar with the concept "face the force". Your knees hips and shoulders should almost face downhill perpendicular to your edges, where the force is pushing at you from. The more you tip lead in a long turn, high edge angle turn, the more balanced you are. For mtb, we are talking about control. Similar body position results in more contol.
  • 5 0
 Depends on whether I'm riding on the north or south side of the equator. Something to do with the Coriolis effect.
  • 3 0
 But do you change hands to flush?
  • 3 0
 @Pinkbike can you make a video on ridding with opposite foot forward. We want to know how good the PROS are with their opposite foot forward compared to us, average Joes. Personally, I suck.
  • 1 0
 I'd bet Brandon Semenuk can ride switch/fakie just as good as his native stance.
  • 2 0
 @Pinkbike: it would have been cool to add another polI about foot forward while skating/surfing/boarding. Just wondering if there would also be a correlation between biking and board stance.
In my mind everybody riding left forward would board right forward, but is it that way for everybody....?
  • 2 0
 I have been wondering about this myself for months. Look at any of the whip videos on PB, you'll quickly notice that the biggest whips are done when the rider is pushing back their trailing leg. So, right foot forward riders are getting their biggest whips when pushing their left leg back. The lip or hip direction of a jump greatly effects which direction you can safely whip your bike. So, being able to switch leading foot is a major skill that is not being highlighted enough.
  • 2 0
 Interesting poll, and comments. I have always ridden left forward, and snowboard left forward as well. When I started freestyle bmx forever ago, this all became a much bigger problem. I rode left forward, with pegs on the left, but preferred carving/spinning to the right, making riding bowls rather awkward. And foot-jam nosepicks even more so. Full on dick-footed. I eventually learned to carve and spin both ways, to the point I could 540 either way, and hips didn't matter. Opened up more lines at the skateparks and dirt jumps. And barspins also fall into this issue as well.....
  • 2 0
 Descending tight switchbacks is more feasible with the outside foot forward. Just like a telemark skiier who drops the inside knee, it opens up your hips into the turn.
Doing the opposite makes sharp turns much harder. I teach this to beginner/Intermediate riders who haven't gotten stuck in their habits yet. Practice on easier turns before doing it on a steep chunky line to get accustomed to the feel of it.
  • 1 0
 My forward foot depends on what the next turn direction is or which side of the trail is the high side. That's it. Other than that, on a long ride I find both feet forward equally. I do prefer carving to the right more, though.
  • 1 0
 I learned to snowboard either foot forward depending on the fall line and trick I wanted to do. It made snowboarding a lot more fun. The same applies to mountain biking. Learn to be just as comfortable and confident regardless of which foot is forward. Interesting turning a bike is similar to leg steering a horse. The outside leg is forward and the knee signals the turn while the hips confirm the intent.
  • 1 0
 To me the comparisons between riding a board and riding a bike don’t make sense. Your feet are oriented forward and not sideways, plus they’re spread farther apart. Biking is more like “the athletic stance” with your dominant foot slightly forward and feet shoulder width apart taught in basketball, weight lifting (not all lifts obv), wrestling, fencing, etc. Basically anything where you need to go from balanced to rapid motion.

By this logic, right footed people should ride right foot forward left footed people left foot forward.

It’s interesting how many people think about boarding because it’s never crossed my mind before.
  • 6 1
 shitfooted gang sound off
  • 3 0
 Don't have to.....getting heckled by all the BMXer's is enough.
  • 4 0
 Death Before Mongo
  • 1 0
 Your rear foot is your weight bearing foot; your lead foot more directional - think similarly to riding a board (brain and brawn feet)
Your rear foot also allows more ‘push’ sideways though whips, cutties etc., and is often easier to put weight onto when dropping feet through corners.
There is no right (other than ‘not left’) or wrong, but understanding the different tasks each foot performs can help massively in unpicking your riding strengths and weaknesses.

Bike: r/f fwd (Goofy)
Skate: goofy & mongo
Snowboard: goofy
Surf: reg.
Go figure.
  • 1 0
 Are you left handed?
  • 1 0
 As an ex-Skater, I can say I ride my bike right foot forward, on the skateboard my stance was regular. What can you say about that?
  • 1 0
 Same here. I’m also VERY right handed and pretty much only use my right foot in any sport that involves kicking. Basically, the left side of my body is pretty useless haha. And I skated and snowboarded for years before mtb (didn’t start the later until my 30s), and I didn’t spend much time on a bike as a kid, but from the moment I hopped on a mtb as an adult, without giving any thought to it, right foot forward feels way more natural.
  • 1 0
 @iantmcg: right handed but have coped relatively well with my left in the past whilst in cast/sling.
  • 1 0
 @yetiyot: that you have pretty good balance in terms of how you support your weight?
I struggled whilst in the very early stages of learning to snowboard because I couldn’t work out my stance - being almost always goofy led me down that path, but by being regular on a surfboard it confused me. I tried both and settled on goofy eventually, but can ride switch ok (although I am trash at both realistically).
I also tried surfing goofy recently, but settled very much on regular for that in much the same vein (I am also trash at surfing it must be said!)
I wonder if the surf stance is because of the shift from laying down to standing up, whereas the others are all from an already standing position?!
It’s all very interesting stuff.
  • 2 0
 @JunkeeThrottler: interesting, based on personal experience people I know that are all over the board with riding goofy and regular differently depending on sport tend to be lefties. Surfing is so much different than other board sports though, so much more about the forward back and weight distribution.
  • 1 0
 @iantmcg: honestly I think the whole thing is fascinating.
Weight placement and spread is so critical to all of these situations, so it’s interesting to see how much it can differ between individuals.
Cheers for engaging ????????
  • 1 0
 @JunkeeThrottler: that's interesting.
I can't say that my balance is great.
When I tried skating goofy (switch) it's just feels weird.. I haven't tried surfing or snowboard but as far as I can tell, or think about it, regular is my go to stance.
If you watched the XCO race today, you would have noticed that a lot of the riders are having their right foot forward, but maybe because they are professionals and might be ambidextrous.
  • 1 0
 You snowboard goofy and surf regular? I did not know that was possible.
  • 1 0
 @iantmcg: Riding a snowboard in deep snow feels really similar to surfing and you need nuanced foot pressure and weight distribution. At least to a hack surfer like me.
  • 1 0
 @JXN1: Every time I have ocean surfed I have only ridden the whitewater. Behind a boat I have had some decent rides though. To me the fore aft in surfing is how you ride the wave and changes your speed based on fore aft weight distribution. The fore aft weight distribution on a snowboard while important doesn’t play the same role in your speed. I’d say the fore aft weight distribution on a snowboard is more based on your speed and has a negligible impact on your actual acceleration, that is why I say it is so much different in surfing. Of course the fact I have spent most my life snowboarding and am good at it compared to a few attempts at surfing may be a factor here.
  • 3 0
 I do some things right handed and some things left handed. Looked up the word for that and it's "cross dominant", which sounds weird, so never mind.
  • 1 0
 myself and my best friend are both exact opposites, which is super weird.
We both;
-bowl opposite our writting hand
-batting, golfing and hockey writting side.
-we both skate non dominant, and spin away.
It's been very strange since out friendship is built mostly around sports so we have always noticed we are opposites. Oddly, he refers to himself as left handed, even though he writes with his right because he feels more activity happens on his left, and he rarely writes.
  • 3 0
 What about favored whip turn? I'd bet most regular footed riders say whip turning left and most goofy foot riders say whip turning right.
  • 2 0
 True for me!
  • 3 0
 I’m goofy and whip left!
  • 1 0
 As a wakeboarder, wake surfer, snowboarder, skateboarder, I always ride "normal" (not goofy) left foot forward and rear foot behind. I never really thought about which foot was forward when biking. After much thought, it turns out that I ride my bike like all of my other sports "normal" and left foot forward and right foot behind. Go figure.
  • 1 0
 Any other old school guys here? I am curious how you stand and if you heard/learned the same as I.

When I started riding in the 90's it was taught keep your left foot forward, right back, in the attack position. I think Overend also mentioned it in his book. This was done so that your right foot was away from the chainrings, should your foot slip off the pedal into the big chainring.
  • 1 0
 Left foot forward, if you slip your right foot your shin can go into the chainring though. 2 months ago I witnessed a 38t ring go right through someone's leg meat.
  • 2 0
 Is it weird that I spin and hip in opposite directions? Apparently it is since that's not an option lol but I've been right foot forward, spinning right and hipping left for 15+ years
  • 1 0
 You're not alone. I turn left and hip left but spin right. Left foot forward.
  • 1 0
 Come to think of it, if you look at the trails that you ride, you will know if the builder was either Left Foot Forward, Left Turn Best or Right Foot Forward, Right Turn Best. Take Espresso in Mt. Fromme for example. There are more Left Turns than Right Turns. Sure the builder follows the fall line but subconsciously I think you tend to build more turns that you can do best.
  • 1 0
 I'm right foot forward. Also goofy footed on a skateboard. Not sure if thats the reason. The wired thing is, right before a dirt jump i prefer having the left foot forward. If I start to think about what I'm doing, my brain gets confused and I fall off my bike.
  • 1 0
 Really interesting results. I’m right handed, and have a “regular” stance on a skateboard, so I assume that means I’m right foot dominant, but I feel most natural riding right foot forward on a bike (especially when jumping). And I definitely turn better to the right — I find it easier to weight the bike properly when my back foot is on the outside of the turn.
  • 1 0
 I'm naturally left foot forward but since I hurt my right knee, my right knee is happier when the right foot is forward. Hard to ride the really sketchy lines and jumps but general trail stuff is fine. I ride a mix of each foot forward now. Good excuse for being slower now too!
  • 1 0
 How does this make sense! The amount of left foot forward but right handed is waaaaay off compared to right foot forward but left handed. And left foot forward but spin/hip right is closer to left foot forward but spin/hip left is 'closer', can someone smarter than me explain this?
  • 2 0
 I reckon your rear foot is dominant, if you weight the bike you tend to do it more with the rear and hips and spins you'll push with the rear too, so the results are right, the question was asked wrongly.
  • 2 0
 I go right foot forward because if I need to throw down a quick pedal stroke, my right leg is my dominant leg and is stronger. I ride flats though so that might have something to do with it
  • 1 0
 This is a super-interesting poll to see. Coming from a BMX background, this used to be an important question because it also tied into which side you preferred to grind and all of that. I always try to switch things up from time to time, but still for the big, technical, or just more tricky things, I ride with my forward foot forward. One thing this has always brought up for me (and something I experiment with, with no great clarity of results) is whether riding with my non-dominant foot forward will help me turn in my non-dominant direction more easily. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
  • 1 0
 I'm from the uk. We have our rear brake lever on the left. Are we all the right foot forward guys?
What freaks me out is how many have left foot forward and have a spin left preference. You guys push round with your outwards foot?
  • 1 0
 Did anyone else learn to ride with your other foot forward, too? It doesnt take that long to get comfortable on easier stretches of trail, and it makes my legs feel better to a good amount of time riding with the other foot back
  • 1 0
 I think there is some confusion with the answer to the second question. Lot of people answering spin/hip left and right but more answering left. I think people might be unclear. Partly I think that because I'm pretty sure most people spin the same direction I do and it is a left hand/right hand thing. Does spin/hip left mean... well what does it mean? I find it far easier to spin right, meaning from my perspective I'm turning right, but I prefer jumping a hip that goes left sometimes because I like to wip that direction best.
  • 1 0
 As a snowboarder I ride both goofy and regular. As a Tele skier I can only do Christiania turns due too two blown knees. Been forced to be ambidextrous due to many injuries and an insane workload. Right eye dominant shooter. But can still cope with left eyed shooting. We adapt. And overcome obstacles.
  • 3 0
 Even though I'm ambidextrous I look like a total noob when the "wrong" foot ends up forward.
  • 5 0
 I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
  • 4 0
 Where is the "I don't turn left or right best" option?
  • 3 0
 Pretty much just let my feet drag the ground as i ride the top tube down the steepest terrain i can find
  • 1 0
 Im left foot forward and don't have a turn preference until I need to do a tight switchback and get on a nose wheelie or whatever theyre called, then I can only go right, pushing the back end around with my right/rear foot.
  • 3 0
 its rare that I get along with someone who rides with his - hers right foot forward.... for real
  • 4 0
 Do you feel threatened by our superior riding abilities???
  • 4 0
 Everyone gets along with Wade Simmons.
  • 1 0
 @unrooted: hahaha ... man hmn honestly there s just one guy I know and rode with thats goofy and rides way better than me
  • 1 0
 @bigtard: well yeah
  • 2 0
 Playing soccer, I’m right foot dominant. I’m also right handed, but I prefer left foot forwards while riding. Interesting poll!
  • 2 0
 On a bike your rear foot is dominant
  • 3 0
 but which side of the bike do you get on from? I'm non-drive (left) side only. getting on from the right side feels weird
  • 2 0
 I only get on from the back, from a running start!
  • 1 0
 I'm a left-forward/left turner, but the left turner might be because I have a 2' drop on only one side of my circle driveway so I go CCW (anti-clockwise for you weirdos) mostly.
  • 2 0
 I'd like to know if people mostly crash on one side. I'm left forward, turn left better, and mostly crash onto my right side.
  • 1 0
 I’m right foot forward and the scabs are mostly on my right knee...but all 3 of my last crashes occurred on right turning sections of trail....
  • 1 0
 Right forward, turns right better, lefty by hand and leg, crashes mostly to left. I find it harded to dismount my left foot whenever I'm crashing left.
  • 1 0
 Jokes aside I thought I couldnt turn right as good due to my mostly left foot forward and then bam right foot forwards mostly cant turn right either! Mind blown, its about the rotation of the earth around the sun or whaaat
  • 2 0
 The earth is flat, and the sun rotates not the earth....
  • 2 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: On another note, did you ever notice that a full moon rises exactly at sunset and sets at the following sunrise? My friend just pointed this out to me the other day - it never occurred to me. There is a Blue Moon on Halloween this year - check it out.
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: That is interesting it's a blue moon on halloween. Probably signals the rise of some evil force that is normally more like a fake tan orangish color....

Seriously though, if you like random astrology stuff, check out stargazers on pbs. Stargazersonline.org
  • 3 0
 Just imagine that BITD you got an MTB tandem with your partner and discovered that you ride different foot forward. Awkward.
  • 1 0
 So ok tell me if i'm weird, I 'm 52 and i have always ridden bikes right foot forward but i've always skated and snowboarded left foot forward If i try switching either it just feels wrong.
  • 1 0
 Same here
  • 1 0
 But are you a left hand shot or right hand? new poll. Left hand shot, left foot forward on bike, surfboard, snowboard and skateboard and right handed! Is this ok, or am I doomed?
  • 1 0
 Anybody else spin left but hip right (or vice versa)?
I'm left foot forward but used to ride right foot forward until practicing crank flips as a teenager, then I started riding entirely with my dominant right foot back.
  • 1 0
 Right foot forward so when the chain comes off it can only go as far as the bottom bracket, left foot forward the chain can droop a lot more when it's disconnected
  • 3 0
 I spin right but hip left wheres that option
  • 3 0
 Left forward and right back, that's the way I work my coaster brake too.
  • 2 0
 Hmm, I always thought it was dominant foot forward. I guess I'm in the minority with that.
  • 2 0
 So do all right foot forward peeps also skate/snowboard/slalom water ski goofy footed? Its all the same for me
  • 1 0
 Which way is goofy on the slalom ski? I feel like the old school people go dominant foot forward because the old school bindings only your front foot was really secure.
  • 1 0
 @iantmcg: i guess i assume right foot forward is goofy for everything.
  • 1 0
 @pargolf8: google says your correct on that. My dad snowboarded once and was regular but he water skis right foot forward.
  • 1 0
 I ride right foot forward with bikes but skate/wakeboard regular.TBH until now I thought right foot forward with bikes WAS regular
  • 1 0
 I'm a regular foot surfer, so it makes sense that my right foot (back foot) is the power foot and that comes through in my riding too.
  • 2 0
 Left foot, right foot.......

Maybe the Hokey Cokey is what it's all about???
  • 2 0
 Is there snyyhing you guys don’t mis-pronounce??? It’s hokey pokey. Also it’s pronounced Zee, not zeb. ????????????????
  • 1 0
 @unrooted: It might have been plagiarised into "pokey" by a crew from over your way, in the late nineties, but it was Cokey, ten years prior, over here.!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMCthi3pFEQ
  • 1 0
 @MountainBikeLegends: I’m 42 years old and it was hokey pokey when I was a kid in the 80’s, my mom says it was the same when she was a kid in the 60’s.
  • 1 0
 I tried to mix it up on a section of twisty trails that can just coast thru. Right foot back, no issues, right foot forward, both legs start to burn pretty quickly...
  • 1 0
 More practice ridding oppo foot forward will strengthen that imbalance.
  • 3 0
 Ride switch, it opens up new doors.
  • 2 0
 The term Goofy originates from the cartoon of Goofy going surfing with left foot forwards.

No one mentioned Mongo yet?
  • 5 1
 Goofy is right foot forwards tho
  • 1 0
 Should have also asked which is your strong foot as I’ve been told many times you should ride strong foot forward, but I don’t and don’t like it when tried.
  • 2 0
 OK WTF is going on here!? Did not expect all lefty foot forwards with most ppl right handed? Also, best pole ever PB Smile
  • 1 0
 Left foot or right foot forward I don’t care what you do. On the other hand, (or foot lol) if you slash turns with inside foot forward you’re a weirdo.
  • 1 0
 What does inside foot forward even mean?
  • 1 0
 Maybe it's this way because if you keep your dominant-hand-side foot forward you have too much dominance on one side of the bike and are unbalanced.
  • 1 0
 I prefer right foot forward, but and ride just as well with my left forward. Makes sense, since I ride goofy footed when I snowboard, but I can ride either way.
  • 3 0
 So many leftists here. ANTIFA!!
  • 1 0
 Descending, I spend about 60% right foot forward, 40% left.

Track standing is completely different. 100% right foot forward there.
  • 2 0
 Wait... no one rides left up right down? What’s this forward backward talk?
  • 2 0
 I ride my motorcycle with my right foot forward.....it does wonders for my health
  • 1 0
 I prefer right foot forward on jumps and tech steeps. But I drop whatever is the outside foot for corners and switch up the stance on flow or more mellow trails.
  • 1 0
 For me, it only applies at the pump track if the track is predominately left turns I’m right foot forward you get the idea.
  • 1 0
 Right foot forward on bike, regular stance snowboard, and shamefully skates mongo. I don't have a cornering preference tho, I just drop that outside foot and blaze on.
  • 2 0
 Why no option for both feet forward? Ass on the saddle, feet on the bars... never turn, and I don't spin I flip.
  • 1 0
 I’m not an ambi-turner. I can’t turn right. Derek has such a great left though. And damn Hansel, he thinks he’s so perfect.
  • 1 0
 I’m left foot forward on the bike and spin right, but goofy footed for snowboarding/skateboarding and spin left (backside).
  • 1 0
 I’m right handed and footed apart from the fact I ride a skateboard goofy and play snooker left handed.

I think I’m dysfunctional.
  • 1 0
 I think it's about the boxing stance and also which way you rotate your body for more striking power with your dominate hand.

But what do I know, I skate mongo :o
  • 1 0
 Unclip and stay seated for the descents is the best way. Let my Balls do the job!!
  • 2 0
 Interesting to know that I'm totally average, wasn't expecting that
  • 2 0
 glad to see I'm not the only non-ambi-turner
  • 2 0
 Pinkbike trying to answer the important questions in life
  • 2 0
 Im goofy footed on my bike but skateboard and snowboard regular
  • 1 0
 As you'd say in BMX.. MTBs are clearly a bunch of fuck foots haha. left foot forward spinning left is the fuck footed way.
  • 1 0
 i have debated this very topic with a friend for HOURS and HOURS, thank you for this data for me to CRUSH HIM
  • 1 0
 next week on PB: if you wear a shammy, do you flop up or down? with no shammy, dress right or left?
  • 1 0
 Shammy, up.
  • 1 0
 Needs another couple options like "right foot forward mostly, but sometimes switch on purpose for corners and/or practice"
  • 3 0
 I’m not an ambiturner
  • 2 0
 I'm not an ambiturner! It's a problem I've had since I was a baby.
  • 1 0
 we reserve the right to know which foot forward you are and we reserve the right to rip on you for it.
  • 2 0
 left handers do everything the bad way
  • 2 0
 Lefties have rights, too!
  • 1 0
 "You've been a bad rider, yes you have!"
  • 1 0
 Bonus poll for bikers without coaster brakes: Which side is your rear brake on?
  • 1 0
 A) STARS & STRIPES: Rear brake is on the right
  • 2 0
 B) EU MOTO STYLE: Rear brake is on the left because the front brake is on the right side
  • 2 0
 left foot forward right foot dominant right turn dominant gang rise up!
  • 2 0
 I do a few no handed pushups to warm up, then ride with both feet forward
  • 1 0
 @danielsapp
How about what foot you skate or board in front with vs favored biking foot?
  • 1 0
 When I spin my left foot is forward, then my right foot, then my left foot, then my ...
  • 1 0
 No foot preference savages probably put their toilet paper on without a care in the world.
  • 1 0
 Huh. I put my hands on the pedals... So you mean you guys are using your feet?!?
  • 1 0
 Dominant foot forward. More power if you have to do a quarter pedal over something.
  • 1 0
 Where's the option for "After 25 years of riding, I cannot for the life of me remember or tell?"
  • 1 0
 It's called the "log out" button LOL
  • 1 0
 Biking right foot ,skating ,surfing,snowboarding,skimming,left foot ,right handed ,and yes I can turn more easy to the left
  • 2 0
 I ride with my right hoof forward and eat people. I'm a Minotaur.
  • 1 0
 NONSENSE !! ... Wieght the outside foot in a corner... duh . God I hate mtn bikers.
  • 1 0
 nobody commented "best foot forward" yet? i lazily scrolled thru the comments.
  • 1 0
 I just love that this could be the most disagreed topic on here (ok apart from wheel size and ebikes..)
  • 1 0
 I can ride with both feet forward on trail, but dirt jumping is rather challenging.
  • 1 0
 I am "regular" on a surfboard/snowboard and it feels the same on a bike having my left foot forward.
  • 1 0
 Lefty on the foot and on the hand. Rides with my right foot forward, turn right better. I guess I'm a freak of nature..
  • 1 0
 Would love to see one of the Pinkbike editors do an article on interpreting the results from this.
  • 1 0
 If BOTH of your feet aren't facing forward you need to get to the hospital immediately .
  • 1 0
 Exactly what we needed, a new standard. Clipless pedals 29er-goofy-electric specific. Hooray!
  • 1 0
 Someone who has been in the same position for a long time should check whether your pelvis or spine is asymmetrical
  • 1 0
 Left foot forward and spin/hip to the left. I thought i was weird, turns out alot of people are weird!
  • 1 0
 curiously on the bike left foot forward, on the snowboard right foot forward (goofy).
maybe i doo something wrong.
  • 1 0
 on the bike i have left foot front, on the boards i have right foot front (goofy)
maybe i doo something wrong.
  • 1 0
 weird that both left and right foot forwards corner left best... science?
  • 1 0
 I think that's just proof that the results of a PB survey are fairly worthless haha. Successful troll poll though.
  • 3 1
 It’s cuz if anyone ever did a lap of anything in their life since childhood.
Running, nascar, Skating around an ice rink, roller rink, whatever.
It was to the left.
  • 2 0
 goofy!!
  • 1 0
 Damn goofy footers. Wink
  • 2 1
 Completely depends on the terrain, where is the answer for this?
  • 1 0
 When I do a flying W I try to keep my feet at equal distance.
  • 1 0
 I have my middle finger forward at all times!
  • 1 0
 Very bold of you to assume I ride with my feet on the pedals at all
  • 1 0
 I ride bikes left foot forward but snowboard right foot forward.
  • 1 0
 Pick a foot forward and be backward about it
  • 1 0
 I can turn left better than you!
  • 1 0
 If you say you don’t have a foot preference you’re lying.
  • 1 0
 28 questions regard 2 feet.
  • 1 0
 The foot you kick with should be back.
  • 1 0
 Articles like those and then wondering why the industry is full of crap.
  • 1 0
 So basically, everyone turns LEFT best...
  • 1 0
 Listen children, it’s known as goofy foot, not right foot forward.
  • 1 0
 Middle foot forward, it’s always ahead
  • 1 0
 It's easy - Pick a stance and be a dick about it.
  • 1 0
 Extra Question:

Do you snowboard/skate Right or Left foot forward?
  • 1 0
 Wondering if there’s a correlation to which nut and/or boob is bigger.
  • 1 0
 Now correlate to goofy/regular stance and it's deep science!
  • 1 0
 are we trying to determine who's 'goofy' and who's 'regular?'
  • 1 0
 Who done did duh “English” for dem deer title?
  • 1 0
 Now which side do you mostly crash on?
  • 1 0
 Good foot fwd. Whichever one that is
  • 1 1
 Right foot forward for a righty means your knee is in the way of controls
  • 2 1
 Spin/hip = Whip ?
  • 3 0
 I didn't understand what they were asking either.
  • 1 0
 Spin (360)
Hip (turning while jumping)
They didn't have my option of Left foot, spin left, hip right.
  • 1 1
 Oppo switch fakie revert etc etc....
  • 1 1
 Left foot forward table to the right :/
  • 1 0
 I never stop pedaling.
  • 1 2
 Bloody lefties.







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.089358
Mobile Version of Website