I covered some statistics when it came to double riding in an earlier post. But it was by accident that had me really sink my teeth into riding side-saddle.

My wife and I were on our way with our year-old daughter to an appointment when she suffered a flat. We locked the bike on the spot and she plunked onto my back rack while my daughter was in the front child seat in which would be our first unsanctioned family ride.

She exclaimed that “something doesn’t feel right.”

I replied, “you’re facing the wrong way.”

What is the right way when riding side-saddle as a passenger? I would think it comes down to personal preference, with either facing left or right. I recall in the past that she would always face left. From my observations, I would estimate that most people face left.

I’ve read one assumption that people will face the direction of the sun, shops or towards an inclination for the best view. But I think the decision on which way to sit depends on which side feels more comfortable, based on whether one is left or right-handed.