The previous owner didn't ride much, or well, with that set-up ...... but you go ride how you like. Enjoy the easily avoidable pain, set up the bike to suit how imaginary people think it should look .... just tell me One thing ...
Since the pedal on Most bikes projects out from the crank at a 90-degree angle, perpendicular to the direction of travel, and since the outboard end of the pedal is thus Lower than the inboard (crank) end when the bike is leaned down toward that side ...... how is it physically possible for the crank, which is further from the ground, to strike the ground while the outer end of the pedal, which is closer to the ground, does not?
Please explain the mechanics there.