Pittsburgh’s rising bike-ridership stats are difficult to refute: The US Census Bureau’s 2008 American Community Survey ranked Pittsburgh 11th in the country for number of city residents commuting daily via bike. That signifies a jump of nearly 70 percent between 2007 and 2008.

From those numbers, we can gather that more Pittsburghers ride their bikes more often. But we can also gather that because more people are riding more often, potentially more are falling over while riding — an embarrassing and painful way to begin any morning.

We here at Pop City want you to avoid such mishaps. So we’ve provided this beginner’s guide to help avoid the less graceful possibilities of cycling in and around Pittsburgh. Not that this has happened to any of us. Recently. And with painful consequences. Ouch. Read on

1) Be careful with toe straps and “clipless” pedals.

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