Advocacy & Safety - D@mned if you do, d@mned if you don't.

I was chastised today for actually having the audacity to greet a fellow bicyclist.

I was on my usual ride, and for some reason I was reminded of the often repeated commentary that road riders are stuck up SOB's who never even acknowledge the presence of other bicyclists. So in an effort to dispel that perception, as I pass a woman on a bicycle, giving her a good five to seven feet of distance, I say good morning. She says nothing, which I thought was a little rude,and as I start to pull away from her, she says "announce yourself next time." I turn around and look at her and say "did I startle you or scare you?" She replies no. WTF? I gave are all the room in the world and didn't buzz her or in any way aggressively pass her.

Now I understand that there are two schools of thought on passing other cyclists, some say you should announce yourself and others say it's not necessary, but there is certainly no rule, unwritten or otherwise, which requires you to announce when you pass someone. I myself prefer when people do not announce themselves, I can usually hear them coming from quite a distance, and it annoys me when they wait until they are three feet away from me and then scream at the top of their lungs "on your left!"

No good deed goes unpunished.

Thats the Dutchess Upminsters problem. Not yours.
Are you a serf or something ? "Announce yourself" :roflmao:

How about this "get the F out of the way, B****"

Really tho'......its not your job to be her awareness .

I dont think that can be applied to all roadies, to me its just an extension
of the nasty, mean spirited ME-UBER-ALLES kulture that is S. Fl.

I you perchance to see the uppity biatch again I heartily recommend a prolonged blast from a trumpet (Airzounds will suffice) then in as loud a voice as can be mustered...you current rank and title (embellishment allowed and highly suggested:D)

Some people think it is their place in the world to correct the rest of us lowly beings:p

Aaron:)

when passing (bicyclists/walkers) going in the same direction, i simply say "on your left" and sometimes follow through with "hi" or "how are you doing?", etc when situations like that happen.

if they harp back attitude, that's on them. i've already passed...not my issue.

Cyclists are the only people out there that expect some kind of announcement of a pass. It's not courtesy, or safe - it's just stupid tradition.

Next time I saw her, I'd announce myself with some Ludacris lyrics.

I try to greet everyone with a smile or other friendly acknowledgment. If anyone wishes to respond in some other manner, the problem lies with him/her, not with me, unless I let it bother me.

but there is certainly no rule, unwritten or otherwise, which requires you to announce when you pass someone.
No good deed goes unpunished.

I'm not sure where you are, exactly, but in the state of Wisconsin, there actually is a rule, or more accurately a law, that says exactly that. Perhaps you should check the laws where you are just in case.



"346.80 Riding bicycle or electric personal assistive
mobility device on roadway.
(c) Any person operating a bicycle or electric personal assistive
mobility device upon a roadway shall exercise due care when
passing a standing or parked vehicle or a vehicle proceeding in the
same direction, allowing a minimum of 3 feet between the bicycle
or electric personal assistive mobility device and the vehicle, and
shall give an audible signal when passing a bicycle or electric personal
assistive mobility device rider proceeding in the same direction."

Though riding is healthy for the human psyche it cannot cure all ills. All riders carry some weight of diseased spirit. Still, better we ride than vegetate.

I'm never sure what to do, either. What to say, or just ring the bell, and how soon. It seems so dependent on what the person is expecting, which is all over the place. I'm afraid if I do it too soon, it will be interpreted as "get out of my way", which is not what I mean.

The other night I passed a guy walking his bike along the side of the road, the right side, as in the "with traffic" side, same as I was riding. I elected not to ring or shout, but giving him plenty of room, slowed down and asked as I approached "Do you need some help?" He had to ask me to repeat, and when I did, he replied "No, I'm okay", but then he chastised me for not letting him know I was there. I said "Oh, I thought I gave you plenty of room, I'm sorry", he said nothing, and I went on. I dunno.

Probably just having a bad day. It happens to all of us. I announce when I have to pass close by, but I always give a "good morning" when I do.

Probably thought you were hitting on her.

No point in greeting anyone of the opposite sex whilst riding, IMHO - too much potential for the other party to try and twist your greeting into a federal case. Personally, I say "on your left" with sufficient distance, pass, and be done with it.

This said, I haven't passed anyone yet in this town who has been too particularly friendly in their initial acknowledgment of me either - or anyone else passing that may be ahead of me.

A little bit O/T, but my favorite example that is similar to this involved passing a couple walking their dog. They were on the opposite curb facing traffic, their little yapper reeled in sufficently. I passed by in the normal traffic lane, and sure enough, their dog begins yipping - as one would expect.

Lady yells: "You're scaring our dog!!" Took one look back, shook my head, and continued. Wonder what she thinks when her Fifi barks at the terrible cars passing by. :rolleyes:

-Kurt

I think it's best in those situations to just internalise things, and move on.

Cyclists are the only people out there that expect some kind of announcement of a pass. It's not courtesy, or safe - it's just stupid tradition.

Next time I saw her, I'd announce myself with some Ludacris lyrics.

Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRpgB5-ZId4

Those lyrics stays fresh in mind at all times.

No point in greeting anyone of the opposite sex whilst riding,

Anyone interested in two used road bikes?

When passing other cyclists on the road I use the adjacent lane to pass. There is no need to announce then as I am passing with ~6' clearance, a greater than distance than motor vehicle drivers are passing the same cyclist.
Al

when passing (bicyclists/walkers) going in the same direction, i simply say "on your left" and sometimes follow through with "hi" or "how are you doing?", etc when situations like that happen.

if they harp back attitude, that's on them. i've already passed...not my issue.



+1

Do the correct and courteous thing and let the other rider accrue whatever good or bad karma they choose.

Cyclists are the only people out there that expect some kind of announcement of a pass. It's not courtesy, or safe - it's just stupid tradition.

Having been buzzed really close by noobs in the past I take exception to this comment. A pleasant "on your left" never hurts anyone, and might keep us both free of road rash. Sometimes I add, "did not want to startle you" after I pass.

I often call this more than once then have to carefully pass a pedestrian that either has music going or is just tuned out. More than once they have startled anyway.

Announcing the pass does not mean you can zoom fast and close either. The walkers often jump in the wrong direction.

Bikers might not squish me, but they are frequently as much a hazard as the autos.

I don't agree with her being rude but I must admit there have been times when I was riding and all of a sudden out of nowhere some guy next to me says "good morning" or whatever - - startles me sometimes. I really wish they would say something a bit earlier . . .

I always announce myself. mostly just because I am usually riding my fixed gear and I cant afford for someone to swerve in front of me. I usually asses the person in front of me and that determines my greeting. also how close I pass. I usually try to give them time and warning because most people, myself included if i am zoned or focused while juke to the left or right if startled

Next time start hollering "NO BRAKES!! MOVE OUT THE WAY!! WATCH OUT!! NO BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKES!!" As you have this look of horror on your face.

Your deed is done. :)

... I cant afford for someone to swerve in front of me. ...

If that's because you're riding fixed, you could really use a brake.

I'd be thrilled to get a "Good Morning" from a passing road biker, even if they startled me.

On the other hand, when I pass guys, they never seem to return my greeting, either. Inferiority complex? ;)

I always appreciate some sort of acknowledgement from a fellow cyclist (even if it's just a nod), it's nice to have some company among all the cars.

Next time start hollering "NO BRAKES!! MOVE OUT THE WAY!! WATCH OUT!! NO BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKES!!" As you have this look of horror on your face.

Your deed is done. :)


Best advice yet!

truth be told there's only two types of cyclists: the enthusiasts & the non-enthusiasts. i wouldn't expect to greet / be greeted by the chav-hoodie-youth of today on their BMX's. there's some weird folk on bikes who don't give their machines (or other people) respect!

I was chastised today for actually having the audacity to greet a fellow bicyclist.

I was on my usual ride, and for some reason I was reminded of the often repeated commentary that road riders are stuck up SOB's who never even acknowledge the presence of other bicyclists. So in an effort to dispel that perception, as I pass a woman on a bicycle, giving her a good five to seven feet of distance, I say good morning. She says nothing, which I thought was a little rude,and as I start to pull away from her, she says "announce yourself next time." I turn around and look at her and say "did I startle you or scare you?" She replies no. WTF? I gave are all the room in the world and didn't buzz her or in any way aggressively pass her.


Reminds me of the time I was doing laps on the local MUP. Nothing high speed, fact I was riding my basketed Bridgestone, was such a nice day I just kept riding in circles.

Came up on this middle age couple, slowed to a crawl and from about 20 feet back I stated in a talking, not shouting voice, "Excuse me, passing by".

The lady went ape **** on me. Started chastising me about being rude and I didn't have to yell. Waving her arms around. I pedaled on by with a nod and kept going. Next lap around I split the gap between her and hubby, squealing the brakes.

Some people are just cranky.

Reminds me of the time I was doing laps on the local MUP. Nothing high speed, fact I was riding my basketed Bridgestone, was such a nice day I just kept riding in circles.

Came up on this middle age couple, slowed to a crawl and from about 20 feet back I stated in a talking, not shouting voice, "Excuse me, passing by".

The lady went ape **** on me. Started chastising me about being rude and I didn't have to yell. Waving her arms around. I pedaled on by with a nod and kept going. Next lap around I split the gap between her and hubby, squealing the brakes.

Some people are just cranky.

LOL. I feel sorry for her husband. He probably has to listen to that every day.

Best advice yet!

:roflmao:

-Kurt

If that's because you're riding fixed, you could really use a brake.

even on my my road bike if someone cuts in front of me close enough to make me nervous or clips my front, it could create and issue.

but I understand my fixed has an appreciably longer braking distance and people swerving in front of me are bad

Originally Posted by dobber View Post
Reminds me of the time I was doing laps on the local MUP. Nothing high speed, fact I was riding my basketed Bridgestone, was such a nice day I just kept riding in circles.

Came up on this middle age couple, slowed to a crawl and from about 20 feet back I stated in a talking, not shouting voice, "Excuse me, passing by".

The lady went ape **** on me. Started chastising me about being rude and I didn't have to yell. Waving her arms around. I pedaled on by with a nod and kept going. Next lap around I split the gap between her and hubby, squealing the brakes.

Some people are just cranky.
One mans prize is another mans ear ache... ;)

I usually clack my brake levers or ring a bell, and then say "hello" as I'm passing to show them I wasn't saying "get out of the way" but instead, "I don't want to startle you". I used to wave or say hello to people I would pass on the MUP, but after receiving far more angry glares than friendly gestures, I finally gave up. Now I usually just keep to myself unless someone else is nice to me first.

recently I've been walking on the MUPs and find that many cyclists pass too close and without warning, much the same way cyclists complain about motorists. How hard is it to get a bell and learn how to use it, or to give three to four feet of passing distance when it is available? Cyclist often pass quickly, quietly, and too close, with little audible warning; and even if not dangerous, it can be quite startling.

I use my little bell and yell "Icecream!" Tends to get their attention...

I try to say something like "on your left" whenever I pass anyone...

From how she worded it, it didn't sound too aggressive, and it isn't a bad idea to "announce" or rather warn someone when you pass.

I mean I wasn't there to judge character, but I don't see what the big deal is either.