General Cycling Discussion - Is this snobby..Not that I care.

I usually nod at cyclists as they pass...Can't understand why others not interested in what all kinds of bikes are out there and what's on them..
But anyway..The main point...I always say passing on left when passing on a bike trail..
Today twice...Someone passed me...They did not bother to notify me. Once I unfortunately moved to the left as this woman cyclist was passing...She looked the part of a serious racer.
So, as I almost hit her rear wheel, I let out a frightened noise like..Ouch, I think...She nastily said watch where you are going..
I don't think I was in the wrong...I could have brought her down, if I had swerved another couple inches..
I don't look in my mirror every second..The wind was strong..Otherwise I might have heard her. I thought her comment quite inapporpriate.

I agree a word of warning on her behalf is the correct thing to do.

I don’t necessarily find that to be true. On hills or narrow streets I usually do say “On your left,” but otherwise I find it much easier to simply pass quickly with enough room that some movement wouldn’t be a problem (~5ft between the handlebars). On Saturday’s and Sunday’s (Sunday’s especially since they close the road for family bike rides) it’s impossible to even think about warning everyone I’m passing. And it’s not always guaranteed the other rider has a clue as to what “on your left” means. Quite frankly, I don’t expect anyone to warn me that they’re passing (although that hasn't happened in a long while:D) and I hope they don’t expect me to either.

One of the disadvantages of warning people that you are about to pass them is that they often respond by swerving, instead of holding a straight line. If there is plenty of space, I sometimes chose to remain silent and just go. Of course, I then see it as my responsibility to appropriately deal with 'unexpected' movements.

She nastily said watch where you are going.

*****.

I hate it when someone passes me without warning of some sort.

The bicycle is the ultimate stealth weapon.

I generally use a bell, but it depends on the situation. I always give a warning of some sort when passing - except for little kids, who ALWAYS pull to the left while looking over their left shoulder.

With little kids, I generally slow way down and gently talk them over.

I don’t necessarily find that to be true. On hills or narrow streets I usually do say “On your left,” but otherwise I find it much easier to simply pass quickly with enough room that some movement wouldn’t be a problem (~5ft between the handlebars). On Saturday’s and Sunday’s (Sunday’s especially since they close the road for family bike rides) it’s impossible to even think about warning everyone I’m passing. And it’s not always guaranteed the other rider has a clue as to what “on your left” means. Quite frankly, I don’t expect anyone to warn me that they’re passing (although that hasn't happened in a long while:D) and I hope they don’t expect me to either.
The odd times that I do actually ride on the shared paths, I've probably had more close calls when I've said something than when I've just given a burst of acceleration and moved on by.

Case in point: last weekend I decided to do something different and ride the bike trail up to downtown. I was calling out 'on your left' to everyone I passed. Twice I had cyclists move left when I said it! One was a very casual looking rider (denim shorts, t-shirt, old mountain bike with underinflated tires), but the other was on a guy on a Bianchi with full US Postal kit. He very nearly took me out...

I still call out almost every time, but I'm starting to think that if the rider has been holding a steady line while I approach that it might be safer and easier to just blow on by (if I can do so with plenty of clearance... never on a narrow path).

You have size up your pass-ee before you get there-----little old ladies walking--pass them quietly and quickly---if you give a warning---they'll turn right into you. Better to give em a little spook from passing them than to have a wreck.

Kids---all bets are off---slow down because you have no idea what they're going to do---a lot of times a warning makes them turn their heads at the same time going into the passing lane.

You can pretty much tell the serious(and savvy) walkers--bikers-----and runners------give them a warning-----and they'll thank you for it as you're riding away.

Quite frankly, I don’t expect anyone to warn me that they’re passing (although that hasn't happened in a long while:D)...Well, if you'd quit riding at the back of the pack ... ;) BTW, are you coming out for Saturday's ride? It'll be an easy one so we don't kill ourselves before race day.

I just say good morning or good afternoon. I want to get a little bell for my commuter bike.

I think "on your left" while appropriate for a ride with seasoned cyclists is not helpful in other situations.

There's usually very few bicycle riders out around here, I don't think most New Mexicans are very enthused about riding bikes over driving gas guzzling trucks and SUVs.

Someone passed me...They did not bother to notify me. Once I unfortunately moved to the left as this woman cyclist was passing...
So, as I almost hit her rear wheel, I let out a frightened noise like..Ouch, I think...She nastily said watch where you are going....I thought her comment quite inapporpriate.

If you don't announce your presence, then you shouldn't be surprised if someone accidentally moves into your lane. Her comment was inappropriate. I agree with some of the other replies to this thread -- it's not always necessary to announce your pass or presence. But it's considerate and appropriate the majority of the time.

Well, if you'd quit riding at the back of the pack ... ;) BTW, are you coming out for Saturday's ride? It'll be an easy one so we don't kill ourselves before race day.

Haha, well I have found myself suddenly at the back of the pack a few times and I always question whether I remember most of the group passing me. But I'm talking about solo rides only as not being passed on a group ride would be insane. I think I may come out on Saturday since I've been feeling pretty good this week.

I usually nod at cyclists as they pass...Can't understand why others not interested in what all kinds of bikes are out there and what's on them..
But anyway..The main point...I always say passing on left when passing on a bike trail..
Today twice...Someone passed me...They did not bother to notify me. Once I unfortunately moved to the left as this woman cyclist was passing...She looked the part of a serious racer.
So, as I almost hit her rear wheel, I let out a frightened noise like..Ouch, I think...She nastily said watch where you are going..
I don't think I was in the wrong...I could have brought her down, if I had swerved another couple inches..
I don't look in my mirror every second..The wind was strong..Otherwise I might have heard her. I thought her comment quite inapporpriate.

Was there a saddle on her bike or just the pole up her A$#@!

Hate to say it but if you hit her back tire your the one going down :(

I usually announce, well ahead of passing the cyclist..."Passing on Left". In a very booming voice. Always felt I get their attention.
Did not like the hateful look she gave me..It was not my fault.
So if you should take someone down in those circumstance, who is the quilty person.?

she was defintiely in the wrong there... I too, usually announce "on the left" or whatever is appropriate... she's jsut being rude and dangerous...

Next time I'd roll up on here and do her Team Cinzano style with a frame pump in the spokes !! :D

Well... not really... that was just a joke..

jeff

I think we cyclists owe it to one another to be ........somewhere on the friendly side of civil, at the very least, whether being passed or passing..........

Looking the part, having the gear.......don't mean squat, without manners. It's a respect thing. If you judge people by the price of their toys (relative to your own, perhaps?)then you don't get it. You are who you are. You are not what you own.

I don't know. On the roads you should always call out.

But on a path? I'll agree it's best call a warning but you should hold a good line and assume at any time that someone might be passing. There is just too much traffic.

I was on a supported century last weekend and of course everyone passes me again and again, because I'm slow but I don't stop as long and as often as they do. So the same riders and pacelines were passing me multiple times. Anyway, I couldn't believe how many just blew by me without saying anything, or suddenly appeared on my left sayin "HI!" and scaring the crap out of me. Hell we're all "seasoned cyclists" on this ride (the dopes didn't show up because of the rain) so it's not like we'll go to pieces if we hear "on your left" (one guy actually said "on your right" while passing on the left but I knew what he meant).

The most polite approach IMO is the bell. It's very gentle and doesn't sound like "ha I'm droppin you."

Once I unfortunately moved to the left as this woman cyclist was passing...

I don't think I was in the wrong...

I think you were. I suppose you don't use your blinker, look in your mirror and check dead-angle before changing lane when driving? She was absolutely right, look where you're going.

Not announcing that you are passing is the same as not using a turn signal when you drive. Oh, wait, nobody does THAT anymore either.

I normally call out "on your left". But, with the jeans and T-shirt crowd, you better leave more room. They are likely to swerve into you.

One of the disadvantages of warning people that you are about to pass them is that they often respond by swerving, instead of holding a straight line. If there is plenty of space, I sometimes chose to remain silent and just go. Of course, I then see it as my responsibility to appropriately deal with 'unexpected' movements.

I agree. However, I rarely pass them silently. I find that a "click" shift or two is usually enough to let them know I'm coming without startling them.

Similar thing happened to me today, I was passing a pedestrian, and some bozo gets halfway past me, and says,"on your left." He could see that was already passing someone, before he started to come around.

Sorry to those non-announcers but I find it rude, obnoxious and dangerous to sneak up and startle someone especially on a multi-use trail. On quiet days a click on the shifter will often work. My rec ride has a bell since I use it mostly on trails and it's universally accepted that bell=bike. I never use on the left, on your left or to the left since so many people get confused about who's left your talking about and prefer to just say passing. All our rec trails have pavement markings or signs to announce before over-taking, and although I don't typically agree with a lot of the rules, I whole-heartedly agree with that one.

Road bike doesn't have a bell, so it's a call of "passing" well enough in advance for them to turn around look and fiugre out which way to swerve in front of me and allowing me time to avoid them when I'm on the paved trails. Not many roadies around here so I don't have the problem of passing or being passed on the roads. Those who think it's OK to not announce but take responsibility to deal with "unexpected" movements are not taking into account the other person who has just suffered a heart-attack (figuratively speaking) while they were enjoying their tantric ride!

The way I see it roads and trails are dangerous enough not to make a simple gesture of a bell, click, or voice warning a routine part of my ride, making it safer not only for me, but for those I encounter and pass along the way!! Now if the dang deer could just figure out that bell=bike or passing means I'm coming up on the left I'd be all set. They just stare at the head light, like their starving to death and I'm dinner!!

I just say good morning or good afternoon. I want to get a little bell for my commuter bike.

I think "on your left" while appropriate for a ride with seasoned cyclists is not helpful in other situations.

I agree... I've found people are less likely to jerk over to the left if I just give a friendly good morning/good afternoon.. :)

Hate to say it but if you hit her back tire your the one going down :(

Not if it's with a frame pump...... Just kidding of course.... http://www.cripplefight.com/smileys/joke.gif

Not only did she not warn me...But I thought she passed pretty close.. Path is not all that wide...What about fact, most cyclists, I would say- bike with No mirror at all. How can they know what is behind them.....Pretty tough to travel in a perfectly straight path...For peletoniers...Not all of us have such perfect form. Just a thought.

Not announcing that you are passing is the same as not using a turn signal when you drive. Oh, wait, nobody does THAT anymore either.

I normally call out "on your left". But, with the jeans and T-shirt crowd, you better leave more room. They are likely to swerve into you.

I don’t really consider that to be true. In my opinion, a turn signal (in the case of changing lanes) is to alert those behind you that you will be changing lanes. You can’t expect the driver in front of you to be constantly looking in the rear view mirror. I certainly don’t honk my horn if I’m changing lanes in my car, but I will signal for the cars behind me. I also signal while riding out of courtesy. A few seconds with my left arm our followed by a glance over my shoulder should be sufficient warning to those behind me.

I usually ring the bell once and continue riding past. If they didn't hear the bell that's their problem.

I've found that people coming towards you are more dangerous than people with their back to you though. Just today for example, someone was coming right at me taking up the whole path, so I slow down to about 15km/h so they can get out of the way, but they just keep coming. I come to a complete stop and they barge past still taking up almost the entire path, making an annoyed noise at the same time.

The council really needs to get some of those 'keep left unless overtaking' signs (replace left with right if you're American) and stick them up on footpaths and bike paths and stuff.

...The bicycle is the ultimate stealth weapon...
Agreed - tell that to the guy who passed me unannounced at the time I cleared my throat of all that road trash I'd accumulated the past two hours! I always ride with a mirror, but cannot be looking into it continuously - I never saw him coming. My preference is to always break the silence with a "good morning" etc. - then I can pass safely after their initial reaction to my sudden appearance is over ("sudden" can probably be debated!)

Found another cause to give notice before passing...Got my wife out today on the bike trail....She has been on the bike so infrequently...Trying to get into biking...
She is all over the place...I get behind her as she gets used to using the gears..Is yet a challenge..
reason I get behind her..She is concentrated on shifting...Concerned about that...Behind her, I could attempt to tell her who was coming and about to pass...
She got some better over the course of almost 8 miles...But, one cyclist got pass me and my warning system...... Did not warn us/her...She swerved of course..They did miss..not by much..Not all cyclists are of equal abilities...Don't assume they are...

You know sometimes it's just easier passing quickly without saying anything because, as someone else said, sometimes people freak worse and swerve, etc.
HOWEVER, that's MY risk to do so. Usually, I say something and hold back a bit to proceed with safety or yell out far in advance.

In your same situation, if she snapped back at me I would have gone medieval like, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, DUMBASSS! BLOW THE HORN BEFORE THAT CABOOSE PASSES, THAT'S RIGHT YOU HEARD ME ALLISON DUNLAP WANNA BE WORLD CHAMPION OF THE BIKEPATH!"

You know ***** happens but when someone in the wrong is going to try and make you feel like an arse for doing nothing but enjoying your ride, lay down some law on that biatch!



Today twice...Someone passed me...They did not bother to notify me. Once I unfortunately moved to the left as this woman cyclist was passing...She looked the part of a serious racer.
So, as I almost hit her rear wheel, I let out a frightened noise like..Ouch, I think...She nastily said watch where you are going..

Racer... Just a dilema...If my wife can't learn to readopt to biking on a quiet, recreational trail, don't know where else she will find half way laid back place to learn cycling.
I kept behind her at 8-10 mph to help avert run ins..Mostly I warned her, someone is coming...When this one guy passed that I missed, her question was... "Why did not he let me know he was passing..."
I think it sort of different when cars pass one another on a road.
We have marked lanes delineating where we are supposed to be and lanes are wider proportionaly to a cars width.

If you're THAT worried your wife can't ride straight, just block the other lane with your bike so people MUST slow down before you let them pass.
Just be friendly and say "Thanks, she's tryin!" or something like that. Kill them with kindness so to speak. If they get rude, well you know: plan A :) (a. go medieval on the a-hole)

I give an "on your left" shout out whenever it seems appropriate. That said, I have had one real issue lately. In my town there has been a proliferation of Non-English speaking people over the last few years. I don't know how many times I have approached an entire family walking full-breadth on the bike path. I shout out a word of warning, only to have them just turn & stare at me like deer caught in the headlights. I suppose given the PC environment that we are currently living in, I should stop & explain how the bike and walking paths work, eh...?

Flyin' There are so many bikes on this bike path, strollers expecting cyclists to pass them. So it is not unexpected, unless they have an IQ of under 40.
Racer..IT went ok..No real stand off with cyclists on that trail..IT went ok, with all, even the one, that my wife sort of waffled to the left.. My job was to stay behind and warn her of passers by as she is learning.. Except for the one, my strategy worked..Of course I was constantly screening what was behind us through my mirror , so she could concentrate on shifting/riding....

The woman was clearly in the wrong. It is both inconsiderate and dangerous not to announce "on you left" whether your on the road or a bike trail. True not all people will know what you mean, however these people are also fairly easy to spot. Personally, if I know I'm going to be riding on a bike trail, I carry a wooden train whistle and blow it way in advance. Unless there is some moron with a walkman, I guarenttee they will know your coming. I started doing this as people who aren't aware of thier surroundings do not seem to hear your voice. They will respond to the whistle however, if for no other reason to find out what it is.

Jim

when Im driving my car on a four lane road and pass a car on the right, I don't honk and scream "on your left!!!."

it is the responsibility of the overtaker to overtake quickly and safely.

of course, chicago may be a bit different than where you all ride...or maybe not.. people here expect to be passed every now and then.

I can't "click shift" or make any other mechanical noise with my track bike. Im so quiet I've run over squirrels, pigeons, rats, small children, pets....okay, maybe noe that last 3....

I love my friendly little bell! I just give it a few dings and a friendly hi and I'm on my way. There is something about bike bells that leaves a smile on almost everyones face. ding ding ding! hehehehe....


wow these percocets are really strong.

I don’t really consider that to be true. In my opinion, a turn signal (in the case of changing lanes) is to alert those behind you that you will be changing lanes.

You might want to have a look at the FRONT of your car. There is a yellow light on each corner exactly for this purpose.


You can’t expect the driver in front of you to be constantly looking in the rear view mirror.

PLEASE read your state drivers manual. Here is the CA version:
It is a good idea to check traffic behind you often. You will know if cars are tailgating (following you too closely), coming up behind you too fast, or if you have time to get out of the way before a driver hits your vehicle from the rear.

It is very important to check behind you before you change lanes, slow down quickly, back up, or drive down a long or steep hill.

Whenever you change lanes, check behind you to make sure you are not getting in the way of cars in that lane.



I certainly don’t honk my horn if I’m changing lanes in my car, but I will signal for the cars behind me.

Again, from the CA drivers manual:
Use Your Horn:
Tap your horn to alert another driver who might turn in front of you.

We are talking about PASSING here. You do signal for cars in back AND in front.
If someone is anaware that you are passing, you ARE supposed to tap your horn and / or flash your lights at them. You are supposed to make sure that they know you are passing BEFORE you overtake them.

You might want to have a look at the FRONT of your car. There is a yellow light on each corner exactly for this purpose.



PLEASE read your state drivers manual. Here is the CA version:
It is a good idea to check traffic behind you often. You will know if cars are tailgating (following you too closely), coming up behind you too fast, or if you have time to get out of the way before a driver hits your vehicle from the rear.

It is very important to check behind you before you change lanes, slow down quickly, back up, or drive down a long or steep hill.

Whenever you change lanes, check behind you to make sure you are not getting in the way of cars in that lane.

Again, from the CA drivers manual:
Use Your Horn:
Tap your horn to alert another driver who might turn in front of you.

We are talking about PASSING here. You do signal for cars in back AND in front.
If someone is anaware that you are passing, you ARE supposed to tap your horn and / or flash your lights at them. You are supposed to make sure that they know you are passing BEFORE you overtake them.

Well damn, you got me on all those technicalities :rolleyes: If we all went by the driver's manual wouldn't life just be grand. However, I certainly don't follow things to the letter as I'm sure the majority of drivers (you included) don't and thus I'm going with "in practice" rather than "in theory." What I meant by not checking your rear view mirror all the time isn't the tailgaiting issue. Yes, I do give quick glances to see how close cars are, and I expect other people to do the same. But I don't expect them to zero in on my turn signals to make sure I'm passing (and on that note, I never pass when it's a two lane road and I would have to go into oncoming traffic's lane, just when there is a separate lane for me to pass like a freeway).

Again, I can understand saying something if you're passing close by or in the same lane (or bike path), but I see absolutely no reason at all to shout anything if I'm passing with enough space. Imagine the freeway noise if everyone gave a nice honk if they changed lanes. That's the same thing in my mind. Two separate lanes, signal for those behind you (a quick arm out), check to make sure nobody is behind you and move into the next lane. If you give them enough space and they're still running into you, I see them as making the mistake as they didn't warn you that they were moving left.

I give an "on your left" shout out whenever it seems appropriate. That said, I have had one real issue lately. In my town there has been a proliferation of Non-English speaking people over the last few years. I don't know how many times I have approached an entire family walking full-breadth on the bike path. I shout out a word of warning, only to have them just turn & stare at me like deer caught in the headlights. I suppose given the PC environment that we are currently living in, I should stop & explain how the bike and walking paths work, eh...?


YES YES YES and when you figure it out, LET ME KNOW!!!

It is very important to check behind you before you change lanes, slow down quickly, back up, or drive down a long or steep hill.

Whenever you change lanes, check behind you to make sure you are not getting in the way of cars in that lane.




Again, from the CA drivers manual:
Use Your Horn:
Tap your horn to alert another driver who might turn in front of you.

We are talking about PASSING here. You do signal for cars in back AND in front.
If someone is anaware that you are passing, you ARE supposed to tap your horn and / or flash your lights at them. You are supposed to make sure that they know you are passing BEFORE you overtake them.[/QUOTE]

When driving my favorite wine road in Temecula, I often have this same problem in a car..The designated speed is 55 mph...Drive along at 60 plan ahead to make a left... You have the temporary left turn lane painted in the turing lane.. Signal..Cars pass you anyway on the left of you, while you are in the turning lane... Signaled about 200 feet back.. They still pass you at about 65 MPH in a 55..
You gotta look behind, when you are making a left..Still pass you on the left.The road is mostly two lanes. Motorists are nuts.

Some people need to realize that not everyone riding on the road is a racer and is going to ride a straight line at all times. I think that lady needs to get a clue.

Forgot to add------if they have a walkman growing out of their ears----any warning will go unheeded.

One of the disadvantages of warning people that you are about to pass them is that they often respond by swerving, instead of holding a straight line. If there is plenty of space, I sometimes chose to remain silent and just go. Of course, I then see it as my responsibility to appropriately deal with 'unexpected' movements.

Yeah, I've seen that more than once, from both pedestrians and cyclists. A lot of cyclists can't seem to look behind them without turning the bike the same direction as their head, and that's usually to the direction they hear the voice coming from.

I like to be warned, but on the other hand I've learned the hard way that if you're overtaking someone who doesn't look like an experienced cyclist it's probably best to keep your mouth shut and just give as much room as possible. Fortunately I'm fat and slow and am the passee more often than the passer :)

[QUOTE=cyclezealot]I usually announce, well ahead of passing the cyclist..."Passing on Left". In a very booming voice. Always felt I get their attention.
Did not like the hateful look she gave me..It was not my fault.


She was probably up her own BB because she felt so cool, or was scared at getting her precious bike scratched. In my opinion it's the passers fault if he doesn't say anything, the passee if he improperly reacts on a warning. I'd tell her to **** off if she does it again tho.
:mad:

You know sometimes it's just easier passing quickly without saying anything because, as someone else said, sometimes people freak worse and swerve, etc.
HOWEVER, that's MY risk to do so. Usually, I say something and hold back a bit to proceed with safety or yell out far in advance.

In your same situation, if she snapped back at me I would have gone medieval like, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, DUMBASSS! BLOW THE HORN BEFORE THAT CABOOSE PASSES, THAT'S RIGHT YOU HEARD ME ALLISON DUNLAP WANNA BE WORLD CHAMPION OF THE BIKEPATH!"

You know ***** happens but when someone in the wrong is going to try and make you feel like an arse for doing nothing but enjoying your ride, lay down some law on that biatch!


I wouldn't really consider that "going medieval." Now maybe if as she passed he threw an axe into her back tire, dismounted his bike and stood above her as she lie bleeding on the ground, spear in hand, chanting in Norse tongue. Then, clasping the spear in both hands, he raises it high above his head and brings it down hard into her chest. After which, he gets back on his bike and goes off on his way, that would be medieval, if not a bit extreme.

Well, I must admit to making a passing error the other day. I thought I'd weighed up my move, the available space and the rider pretty well but just as I got along side he moved out in a rather un-controlled fashion. It was on a hill, so that was probably his reason for moving around more than usual. Anyhow, there was no harm done, I apologised for running close - it's my responibility to pass safely after all. Though he'd have had reasonable cause to complain, not a word was uttered.
It is very uncommon here in the UK to give any kind of warning before passing another rider - I think you might get some funny looks and possibly cause more confusion than one was intending to avoid, rather like cars that honk to let you know they are there :rolleyes: . We are (mostly) content to wait until there is plenty of room.

Ride safe and well,

Cheers,

Ed

We are (mostly) content to wait until there is plenty of room. Typical English mentality. Always politely queuing up! :D