Posture #1: Classic Grace
Waiting for red lights to change to green is an integral part of a daily cycling life in Copenhagen. There are, however, so many different ways to perform this simple act.
Ladies over a certain age - let's say about 50 - often get off their bike at red lights and stand next to it until the light changes. This was the acceptable way to do it back in the day- indeed for decades and decades - and it is so lovely to see it on the bike lanes. So relaxed. Perfect for The Slow Bicycle Movement, actually.
So I thought I'd have a look through my archives and find a series of different Red Light Postures. So here's the question: How do you wait for the light to change?
Posture #2: Tip Toes
A classic stance for those who can't be bothered hopping off the saddle or those who prefer leaning to the left and therefore cannot enjoy the comfort of the raised curb.
Posture #3: The Copenhagen Straddle
Feet firmly on the ground, bum off the saddle. No hurry at all, just planted solidly at the stop line. Plenty of time to have a look around at your city. Which is kind of the point of living in a city.
Posture #4: No Hurry Straightbackishness
Classic Copenhagen. No tense muscles, just waiting calmly and quietly for the light to change.
Posture #5: Lean on Your City
There are often places for you to rest your feet while waiting. Rubbish bins or roadworks. Nice and casual.
Or even just holding yourself up using a lamppost.
Posture #6: Curbstand
The curbs are there for your safety and, if necessary, for your convenience.
Posture #7: Half-Ready Pedal Placement
You're relaxed but you have one foot in position. There's no stress, but you're as ready as you'll ever be for the changing of the light.
Posture #8: Relax and Lean
Typically a male posture. The chap in front combines it with The Copenhagen Straddle.
Posture #9: Leaning Left or Right?
A whole other ball game: if you prefer to lean, which way do you lean? And does the direction you lean in reflect your political... leanings?
Posture #10: Cargo Bike Casual
Cargo bikes have built-in red light waiting positions in their design. Hand off the handlebars and straighten up. Little effort. Totally relaxed.
16 comments:
Who waits at red lights? lol Actually I use the right foot on the curb method or leaning left or right. Generally I lean left.
I know it doesn't follow your slow bike movement but I wish I was good enough to do a track stand at red lights. That looks so cool!
It depends on how short my skirt is. If I'm wearing a shorter skirt, and I notice that the drivers on the cross street are struggling hard to get a glimpse, I'll hop off and plant my two feet. Otherwise, I usually lean to the right or put my foot on the curb if one is nearby.
I didn't see the Rocking Straddle. Its a mix of the Copenhagen Straddle and a Relax and Lean. Straddle, grip the back brake firmly, lean back, and relax in a bicycle-rocking-chair.
oooo .... stepping off the bike and standing to the side is rather elegant, don't you think?
Can you imagine how an American driver behind you at a red light would freak out if you did this? ha ha ha ha ha
almost worth trying - but probably not during rush hour
you know so much about people on normal bikes!!even their politicians preferences, maybe? this blog is a sociology experience!
Thanks for the great comments! Apparently there's no end to the definitions of Red Light Postures... Another proof of the diversity of bike culture :)
None of you mentioned the Light Pole Grip.. Keeping your balance by holding on to a light pole with one hand? I do that quite often myself.
I agree, Raquel, in some way it is a kind of sociological experiment!
Cheers, Marie
I use various techniques depending on my location, length of the light and which bike I am riding. Being inherently lazy, I much prefer the pole lean, followed by the curb plant, then the off the bike and stand flat footed. I do a track stand occasionally if I am on my fixed gear bike (btw has fenders and brakes so it flies under the radar ;-))
Aaron
i dig the pic with the girl who has red stockings and a matching purse!
awesome work.
Trackstand!
Great for dialing in your balance, and more calming and meditative than it might seem.
Does anyone ride fixed gear out there in Copenhagen?
Riding fixed can fit within the "slow bike movement." We're not always briskly spinning along. I very much enjoy cruising at a slow pace and do it daily.
What a delicious post!! There's something so appealing and delightful about this series of photos. Thanks so much for posting them all in the same place like this.
I can think of a sad reason why some women over 50 dismount at red lights as my nearly 60 year old mother suffers from it - hip arthritis.
trackstand and pole-leaning ;)
noone performs track stands in CPH?
Brilliant, had a few little chuckles when reading this!
Although you did miss the fixie "balance"
Te he - very nice!
I often see the lycra clad racers sitting perched on their top bar at the lights - looks so awkward and uncomfy compared to all these lovely laid back people relaxing at the lights.
ha ha COOL !
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