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Q: Do locals pedal with their heels in your town?
Seems strange to me but maybe I am the one doing it wrong. Recently I noticed that locals in my town use their heels when pedaling a bicycle. I usually use my toes or at least the front of my foot. I'm wondering if this is just common in northen Shenzhen or is it the same where you live?
6 years 19 weeks ago in Health & Safety - Shenzhen
I've never noticed, but now I'm curious and I'll probably be looking twice at every bike I see..
It seems like a really awkward way to pedal a bike !
I will give a full report in a couple of days. Stay tuned !!!
Maybe it all started long ago with foot binding.
My findings from this mornings dog walk. 26 subjects surveyed, here are the results (I did briefly consider making it a pie chart, but then remembered that there is no such thing as good pie in China)
The locals in your survey seem to be more advanced in cycling compared to where I am.
The heel method of pedaling is very popular in my town also.
It's simply down to lack of maintenance. With no oil on gears or chains it's hated to pedal so they have to use their heels to get any power into the pedals to get anywhere.
how about women in high heals either peddilng a bike or riding a scooter, special skill. steady employment for cobblers.
I see a lot of 'em with their feet splayed out... both pedaling bikes and just walking... seems weird to me. I ride every day. my feet basically pointed forward and my contact area is the front of my foot,, not toes, but whatever it's called right behind toes.
ok.. here's a joke:
Why can't the PLA ever have a good Covert Agency Force ? (Snipers, Assassins, SF)
Because they all drag their feet walking ! flop,flop,flop,flop......
lol (gives their position away)
I think it depends how frequent you ride bicycle. I used to ride bicycle for 3 years and I would switch to use my heels just to let the forward part and my toes to have a break.
I think the reason lies in the pedals. I bought and sold various bikes, foreign and domestic, and the local bikes have rubbish pedals. You can't use the ball of your foot cuz it slips off easily. So use the middle or heel.
Or buy metal rattrap pedals and feel the power! And they cheap!
DBowman:
Yes, it seems awkward, but maybe I'll give it a try.