It's a rite of passage for cyclists. When you get your first pair of clipless pedals, just bet that it'll happen to you too. At some point in the early days of riding with them and getting used to them, you'll come rolling up to a stop, forget that your feet are attached to your pedals, and fall right over, a slow motion plop that puts you on the ground. And like any good humiliation, it never happens when you're by yourself. Usually it's at an intersection, where of course there are dozens of people there to watch you topple.
The good news is that these tip-overs rarely cause any damage more serious to you or your bike than a bit of public embarrassment. And another thing - after it happens to you once, it'll likely never occur again, simply because it's a reminder that'll stay with you from then on - you'll automatically pop your foot out as you approach a stop. I know, because it happened to me too.
Have you ever fallen over thanks to your bike shoes? Comment below.
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Image: Keo Clipless Pedals by David Fiedler
Comments
Never happened to me because I had the fortunate timing to first go clipless in the winter (in upstate NY) when I was on the trainer. Plenty of practice!
Happened to me on my first set of toe clips and cleats, about 30 years ago and you don’t forget.
…at the intersection. Went to put my foot down and Hey its still attached-plop.
Yep, only once. Right in front of a police officer. When he finished a small chuckle and asked if I was o.k. I tried to explain but non cyclists never understand.
If it weren’t for a last second unclipping, I would have fallen onto the hood of a Porsche while waiting at a red light! That, more than the one time I actually have fallen, will remind me to unclip early and quickly!
Had only a few days test riding my new clipless around the neighborhood before a 20 mile city wide Night Ride event. I pull in for the downtown rest break, in front of hundreds of other riders i topple right over to resounding cheers. has never happened again!
First time I got clipless pedals my (then) boyfriend (now fiance) tried to catch me while I tried clipping in and out. I fell over so many times he decided to stop trying to catch me.
Did the “fall down at a light” a couple times. Then went to a Carmichael training camp where they taught releasing one pedal so you could accelerate from the light and had all the time in the world to clip in the other pedal (the clipped in pedal could pull up on the pedal as well as push down, allowing you to pedal one footed for as long as necessary).
Only problem with that, as I aptly demonstrated before a light, is that increases your chances for falling over on the pedal that’s still clipped in. Did that right in front of a Jeep that was stopped at a light — with my fiance behind me!
I’ve fallen over a few more times then just once and always in front of a crowd. Although cyclists understand, it doesn’t help the bruised ego to have a bunch of people standing around watching you fall and not do a thing other then to laugh “with” you. Especially when you realize you’re going to fall and there is nothing you can do about it. I eventually caught on after a set of black and blue palms and was lucky not to have broken a wrist! But, never again after that… (besides a few close calls…)
Happened 3 times and never again since. So embarrassing!
At a stoplight, I fell onto a pick-up that was next to me. The driver was really cool, just kinda watched as I fell onto his truck.
Infront of other people indeed! In front of my grown children, spouses and grandkids, all who hunger for humiliating the old man. Twice on the same weekend, still have the scars, on my legs, on my ego and memory. Kids have not forgotten either. oh well
No offense to the “clipless” crowd, but I don’t really see the point. My pedals have toe clips (sans the straps) and they work great! I just kick-flip my pedals and I’m all set. And not having to carry around a change of shoes in my bag frees up space for other things: like watermelons, 8-track players, cute cuddly kittens, etc…
Born and raised in Seattle and Portland (currently living in Seattle), and being a daily bike commuter, I know all about adverse weather conditions. But I’ll brace for the rebuttle(s).
Of course several times. The trick is to learn to fall without getting hurt. just be a kid for a moment. Do not reach out with your had to break your fall, or you might dislocate a shoulder or break a bone in your arm or hand. learn to take the blow on the outside of the thigh and the shoulder. your helmet will protect your head (that’s why you wear it). Then just act like you do this every day and ignore the other people. last time I did it I had 10 witnesses and not single snicker of course i was packing my 44 magnum at the time
On my first day practising using my new clipless pedals I had to do an emergency stop as a dog ran out across the cycle path right in front of my front wheel. Luckily for the dog it managed to dart out from under my falling body as I toppled over. A few cuts and bruises. Luckily for me a nice and experienced clipless pedal user was literally right behind me (maybe not so lucky for the poor guy who backed in to me!). But he did give me good advice on how to deal with emergancy stops. Push your heels out. I think I might have to do this before I brake though. But then what would have happened to the poor old dog?!
Happened to me recently. I’ve been riding since I was six, but I guess its like falling off a bike: you never forget. My girlfriend’s driveway, ironically right then she was saying,”My hero!” (Plop*)
I have had more than one tumble, not because I didn’t remember the first one but because I just had a hard time getting out of the pedals. I first had Speedplays and I just couldn’t get my feet loose, it was easier to pull my foot out of the shoe, don’t know why but I never mastered them. I finally gave them away and got a set of SPD’s and have not had a problem since putting them on my bikes. I have been able to adjust them to my needs. I now have a great Shimano pedal that has a platform on 1 side and the SPD on the other and that is the best of both worlds for me. I am 65 and hate to fall for fear of breaking something. Hasn’t happened yet but it could. I highly recommed not buying clipless pedals without trying them out for ease of release, comfort and security.
I have fallen over more times than I can count. At traffic lights, on the side of mountain, a flat sandy section of trail…….
It’s a fact of life on a clipless mountain bike. You learn that if you hang onto the grips and just fall you’ll be fine. Only a bruised ego. Just dont have a fanny pack with water bottles they accually leave bruises.
So I’ve been MTBing for a long time. Beat my last bike up pretty good so it was time to upgrade. Got a nice, shiny new bike with clipless pedals. Then I went out and got some nice, shiny new bike shoes, and then… WTF? Do I need to start all over with training wheels? I just can’t get the hang of it. First I fell in my driveway for all my neighbors to see. It didn’t help that I had a beer bottle out there with me. They probably call me the drunken biker now. Took it out into the desert a few times and have fallen every day so far! Like I said; WTF? I was tempted to go get some ‘old school’ pedals, but I’m not giving up so easy. I’m a fairly agressive rider and I’m afraid to take it on a serious trail until I know what I’m doing. This is quite a humbling experience. My problem isn’t that I forget, it’s that I can’t get them out in time. I can’t get them clipped in all that quickly either. I’m wondering if the shoes and pedals just don’t like each other…
twice on the same day 3 time in total so far. First was in traffic on the flat riding with a mate. I normally weave to avoid stopping as much as possible, my mate stops continuously…I was ambushed effectively. Second time climbing a rather steep hill. Bugger… but never mind, I shall overcome this minor inconvenience. Gives plenty of people a chuckle though, even myself.
I’ve fallen a few times – I used to have Shimano pedals and they always needed adjusting. Now I have Speedplays and I can get in and out of them without even trying and I’ve never fallen while still clipped into them. My most embarassing time falling was at the end of a century ride. I just stopped at the finish line, happy to be done, and I fell right over. One of the volunteers ran over to help me and told me not to worry that only my ego was bruised. As if I needed her to tell me that.
Happened to me 3 times on the day i first got mine, i got in the pedals and didnt realize i didnt know how to take my foot off and fell over a sidewalk and was just stuck there for several minutes haha
Bought clipless for the first time this spring. I’ve fallen 3 times, twice in front of the neighbors (nothing serious), but the third fall was rather far from home, and believe it or not, damaged my bike. I inadvertently got off the paved road and into some soft sand; the front tire slipped out and down I went — hard. But now my left side shifter doesn’t work and it took me forever to get the chain unstuck from the feed bracket and back on the bike. A visit to my bike shop is now in order. Also, I’ve had right ankle surgery and find that it’s difficult to unclip my right foot without some minor pain. Therefore, I always unclip first on the left side.
Just had my first fall about 10 minutes ago at a busy intersection. Im such a noob!!! How embarrassing! Lol!! First thing I did??? I bad to go online an make sure I’m not the only one. Anyways, thanks for writing this, it made me feel less like an idiot.
Great article Dave! My slow motion fall happened the first weekend with the new pedals. Going up a really steep hill, I shifted, and as the chain began to adjust, I fell over. It was definately a slow motion event. I extended my left elbow out, braced myself, and rolled to the ground. No injuries to man or bike. Luckily, it was a quiet country road, and except for a few squirrells nobody saw me.
I know of two occasions where clips cause very serious injury. One case involved a rider who had stopped at a light, another an older but extremely experienced rider going about 3 mph. Clips are dangerous and give most casual riders negligible increased power.
today i got my first pair of Shimano clipless pedals, fell down once in under 10mins waiting for a stop light, falling two more times during my ride (everytime a stoplight or stoping to take a break. I was curious if anyone else had the same experience for their first time, like Steve, i checked online as soon as i got home lol. I will keep trying, i’ve learned that since my riding style on a snowboard is “goofy”, it’s alot harder to get my right foot out without losing control of the bike (plop lol), however i manage to keep the bike more stable uncliping my left foot first.
Also, it’s always good to have full fingered gloves when putting your chain back on the Cogs, keeps your hands clean
Had my clipless pedals for a year and a half, and i’m still falling over, sometimes coming at a fast stop where my clipless just get stuck, in front if major traffic, and elite cyclist , down i go.
so now when i return home, i check, and clean the bottom screws. i still have a few close calls, but now i give myself plenty of time before i get to a traffic light.
oy. i was 15. riding with my triathalon training buddy. two cute girls in a convertible flagged us down. we pull over, ride up to their car and flirt. one foot clipped in. one on the ground. and over i go. needless to say, no phone numbers were exchanged. could not have been worse timing.
fast forward 22 years, mountain biking on local trails. pull to the side to let other bikers climbing a steep hill pass. same scenario, i fall over right in to one of the poor guys. luckily, he was very coordinated and didn’t fall or get hurt. i on the other hand got all bruised up.
sometimes im not sure these are worth the effort!
Just installed them over the weekend and have fallen over twice … today being one of those times … busy intersection. Just gotta get back on the horse! Thanks to others for posting – don’t feel so bad anymore ;~)
It happened to me a few years ago just after I bought my first Bike with Toeclips.I came out of the Bike Shop with my pride and joy ,A Dawes Audax and because I never had them before I decided to go slowly on the pathway to get used to them before chancing it on the road.
All was going fine until I came to an intersection and had to stop.I forgot about the Clips and tried to take my foot off the Pedals and fell over. I automatically put my hand out to brake my fall and gashed my hand and knee. People came over to see if I was alright and after checking to see there was nothing wrong with the Bike I said everything is fine the Bike isnt damaged in spite of the grasing on my hand and knee.
Just got my shoes for my pedals yesterday and I fell over after 10 miles. It wasn’t at a stoplight though, as I was riding I reached into my pocket for my glasses and a dollar bill fell out, and I stopped to get the dollar, forgetting I was clipped in … now I have a scrape on my knee.
I did the leave one foot left in while approaching a light mistake. Clipped out right foot then as I came to a stop leaned left and tried to put my left foot down, except of course it was still attached. A few people watching a rather nasty bruise on my thigh
Gutted I’ll be off the bike for a few weeks now 
Well it’s nice to know I’m among friends here! I got back into cycling to get fit last year, and after a few rides to re-aquaint myself, decided to go for some Shimano SPD’s.
Within days I’d come off twice – once doing an emergency stop when a guy on a bike shot out of a side alley in front of me, and once when stopped waiting to cross a road. With one foot still clipped, my front brake had locked, so when I went to pull away the bike just tilted to the side, and naturally went the way of my still-clipped foot.
Fast forward a few months and I have a new high end mountain bike – last night I was on my driveway about to go for a spin, with one foot clipped in, I was ambling along ready to take off, when I stopped to check my front tyre. Needless to say, the bike lurched to the side that was still clipped in, and the bike put me on the floor in front of a group of school kids….one bruised ego, a grazed leg, but I shall persever with them. I’ve started getting into the habit of unclipping both feet when I approach a junction now.
The third day I rode with my feet clipped in, I fell while stopping to wait for my friends. I felt my left ankle break and was still clipped in the left pedal. I was holding myself up with my 2 hands and right leg which was over the bike. The only way I could’ve gotten my right leg over so that I could sit down, would have been to put weight on the left leg which was still clipped in and had the bike laying on top of it. Luckily my friends husband was there and he lifted me up so that I could bring my leg over to sit down and he gently unclipped my foot. Off to the ER I went where I was told they see a lot of this from clipping in. I had surgery 4 days later to have 2 pins placed on my inner ankle bone and a plate with 10 screws placed on my fibula. Its almost 3 months later and I am still trying to walk. I have been allowed to bear weight for a couple of weeks now. I will NEVER clip in again, I learned that I am too clumsy, I guess! A very expensive lesson to learn. Be careful everyone! Remember to unclip when stopping, cause this recovery sucks!! Lol.
I got my first set of SPD clips yesterday and went for a 24-mile ride with a friend. Fell over 3 times, banged up my right knee real good and pulled a hamstring with the first fall. Every time it was when I was at an intersection needing to make a left turn so waiting for a break in the traffic so there were plenty of witnesses. So humiliating! I got on the internet and googled “people who fall over with clipless pedals” to make sure I’m not the only loser who this has happened to
Are some people’s brains just not suited to these? Just got my first Shimano pedals and I’ve been trying so hard to get the hang of these. I’ve got the motion down cold-it’s just those occasions where I slow down and just I don’t know forget? When my friend asks me what happened…I don’t really have an answer other than…just didn’t (?) I’ve fallen 6 times now. 2 of those on grass and 4 painful ashphalt tumbles. I used to enjoy biking – not enjoy – LOVE – and now all I feel is anxiety everytime I saddle up. I’m giving up. I’m not bloody happy about it but the benefits do not outweigh the costs in my book.
Happened to me yesterday, and I’ve put in several thousand miles on SPD pedals. This happened to me once before, and that was three years ago.
Yesterday, I was about a half mile from home after a 30 mile ride. I was stopped at a 4-way, unclipped on the right, thought it was my turn to go, so headed into the intersection. Then I noticed the car approaching was not going straight through the intersection, but rather turning to his left in front of me. Had to stop quick and was leaning the wrong way–toward the clipped side. I quickly realized what was about to happen and. . .WHAM! Came down hard on my left elbow. Got up, jumped back on, and made it home okay. Thank goodness I had a long-sleeved jersey on. My elbow is bruised and swollen. My ego is bruised and shrunken. It’s so embarrassing.