Posted July 24, 2004. Updated August 2, 2004.
In August 1999, John S. Allen came to St. Louis to conduct the first-ever St. Louis Bicycle Transportation Symposium . While here, he demonstrated some of his fundamental teaching techniques, including the correct way to start and stop a bicycle. This knowledge is evidently lacked by some individuals who bicycle or give advice on cycling.
For example, the "Your Time" section of TIME magazine of July 26, 2004, recommends the Electra Townie bicycle shown at left, which features an unusually low saddle, for 'rusty or neophyte adult riders.' The article concludes:'The Townie's innovative design also lets you place both feet on the ground when stopped, so you don't have to wobble on your tippy-toes at traffic lights. This should lessen your chances (and your fear, if you have it) of falling.'
The author of this comment clearly doesn't know the correct way to start and stop on a regular bicycle, and believes you remain seated on the saddle when stopped.
For efficient cycling, the saddle height should be adjusted so that the leg is nearly straight when the ball of the foot is centered over the pedal spindle at the bottom of the stroke. Usually this means you can't remain seated when stopped, as shown in the photo below of Theresa James, shown leaning against a post with her brakes applied while checking that her saddle is at the correct height. The accepted way to do the seat adjustment is to be seated as shown with the heel on the pedal when in the 6 o'clock position: in this position the leg should just be straight.
The prefered technique for starting and stopping with the seat correctly adjusted is demonstrated by 13-year-old Theresa James of Ferguson, Missouri, during the making of a bicycle education video for the Ferguson Pilot BIKE* Project.
*BIKE = Bicycling Is Kind to the Environment
Click here for a high resolution 600KB MP-4 clip from that video of the correct way to start and stop.
Click here for a smaller 300KB MP-4 clip.