By bike racks and stop signs / cross walks, I really like it when there is a block of some sort from 8 or so inches high to perhaps a foot and a half. Even more so, when first getting on my bike; the crate I have on the back to carry my backpack means it's hard to just sling myself over the seat.

The bike hitching post is covered with a textured surface, immobile or only semi-mobile, and placed next to bike-racks and predictable stops for bicyclists, so they can stick out a leg to easily crouch in place. Much more comfortable / safer than stretching tippytoes to hit the ground, less disruptive than needing to get off the seat entirely.
-- yhtomit, Jan 12 2006

Hitching post for bicycles http://nostalgic.ne...Hitching%20Post.jpg
(old) [skinflaps, Jan 12 2006]

Do you mean a mounting block? A hitching post is for tying horses to.
-- squeak, Jan 12 2006


I thought [yhtomit](timothy) meant a post with a big thumb on it that you pointed in the direction that you wish to go when you get a flat bicycle tyre, thus beckons cars to stop and pick you up.

However, I understand what you are saying.
-- skinflaps, Jan 12 2006


Ride a recumbent. Or stop next to a lamp-post and use a hand to prop yourself up.

A fairly good idea, if hard to make happen.

Halfbaked +
-- baconbrain, Jan 12 2006


Not to be a naysayer, but wouldn't this propose a bit of a hazard? 8" to 18" would be a bit rough if you caught it with your pedal when riding close to it. (Who, me? Why, no. I've never caught my pedal on a curb.)

I suppose they would be safe enough, though, if you put them in areas where there's no bicycle traffic.
-- half, Jan 12 2006


I think you have the mounting/dismounting idea all wrong. To mount/dismount, you should swing one leg the top tube of the bike, put a foot on one of the pedals, and take off. Put your other foot on its pedal, and then only once moving do you sit on the saddle (not seat).
-- Sparty, Jan 12 2006


Look, it's simple.
1. Place left foot on pedal.
2. Grip handlebars firmly wih both hands.
4. Swing right foot up and onto saddle.
5. Quickly lift left hand over onto the opposing pedal.
6. By this time, the bicycle should be moving at a comfortable pace. Stop it by applying your right foot gently to the rear wheel.
7. By shifting your weight back, you should now be able to get your right knee onto the pedal opposite your left.
8. At this point, get a friend to give you a push to get you going, and away you go! Be careful of other road users.

btw, if you need one of these posts, it occurs to me your bike might be a size too big for you.
-- moomintroll, Jan 12 2006


right on, [moom]
-- Sparty, Jan 13 2006


Squeak: Yes, "mounting block" is a better way to put what I was thinking of. "Hitching post" has a nice ring, which is why it rolled from brain to fingers so easily, but as you point out, isn't quite the right thing.
-- yhtomit, Jan 13 2006



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