how do you alert your presence to other pedestrians/cyclists/motorists?
03-10-15, 01:13 PM
#76
genec
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It's situational.
If it's another cyclist, it's usually freewheeling click-click-click, "passing" or "on your left", or the bell.
If it's a pedestrian, it all depends on if they have earbuds, if a bunch is walking 2-4 abreast, if there are kids or a baby stroller, if there are dogs, if they aren't showing knowledge of MUP etiquette. Usually "howdy/hello/good morning/hey there" or such. If somebody jumps in front, "HEY!". After a few encounters of the close kind, it is best I use the bell and not mouth off.
If it's a motorist, there is no point using sound. Good lights, reflective elements on gear, hi-vis attire, mindful lane positioning, and avoiding blind spots.
A woman in my bike club views herself as an outstanding communicator to keep our group rides safe. She will call out "walkers up", "riders up", "car back", "car up" very loudly each and every time. Really - on a popular section of a MUP there is no reason to alert others that there is another human being within sight. It's a MUP and everybody should be aware and riding responsibly. Likewise, I don't understand why an approaching car on a street needs a group communication noting of us normal street behavior.
IMHO Mrs Megaphone just likes to hear herself talk.
I prefer to enjoy some peace and quiet and save the chatter for a situation that calls for it.
If it's another cyclist, it's usually freewheeling click-click-click, "passing" or "on your left", or the bell.
If it's a pedestrian, it all depends on if they have earbuds, if a bunch is walking 2-4 abreast, if there are kids or a baby stroller, if there are dogs, if they aren't showing knowledge of MUP etiquette. Usually "howdy/hello/good morning/hey there" or such. If somebody jumps in front, "HEY!". After a few encounters of the close kind, it is best I use the bell and not mouth off.
If it's a motorist, there is no point using sound. Good lights, reflective elements on gear, hi-vis attire, mindful lane positioning, and avoiding blind spots.
A woman in my bike club views herself as an outstanding communicator to keep our group rides safe. She will call out "walkers up", "riders up", "car back", "car up" very loudly each and every time. Really - on a popular section of a MUP there is no reason to alert others that there is another human being within sight. It's a MUP and everybody should be aware and riding responsibly. Likewise, I don't understand why an approaching car on a street needs a group communication noting of us normal street behavior.
IMHO Mrs Megaphone just likes to hear herself talk.
I prefer to enjoy some peace and quiet and save the chatter for a situation that calls for it.
We have some good friends that are teachers... and once they get started, it is hard to get them to stop... and they use that teacher voice.
Yeah I understand... it's what they do... bless them... but it sure is characteristic.
03-10-15, 01:14 PM
#77
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Yup... I got creamed by a driver leaving a full stop... after "making eye contact" with him. I don't believe in eye contact... I believe in Casper mode... cyclists are invisible except to those that believe in us. I know I am a ghost because I have seen the faces of motorists who were looking right at me, then started to pull out and realized they were about to hit me... they sudden look of shock... as if they've seen a ghost.
The only "eye contact" I believe in is when someone physically gestures to me... then I know they have seen me. Sadly, the gesture I hate is when some motorist waves me across an intersection when it is NOT my turn... that just muddles the whole relationship we have with motorists.
The only "eye contact" I believe in is when someone physically gestures to me... then I know they have seen me. Sadly, the gesture I hate is when some motorist waves me across an intersection when it is NOT my turn... that just muddles the whole relationship we have with motorists.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
03-10-15, 01:23 PM
#78
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Bright lights, bright flashing lights, mostly for roads. Peds on the MUP, a crane brass bell and say " passing left" This gives other users a clear indication of what you are going to do.
03-10-15, 01:24 PM
#79
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...Cars, well, airzound, but I only ever have use of it maybe 4 times a year, and about half the time I'm just basically yelling at them for having run me into the median (oncoming cars passing in my lane, for instance) so it doesn't actually do any good. Sometimes someone's about to pull out of a parking spot though and the airzound has always stopped them.
03-10-15, 01:29 PM
#80
genec
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03-10-15, 01:49 PM
#83
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I have come up on precisely 1 cyclist who was going the same way as me one morning. She was walking her bike up a hill and I just gave her a wide berth and passed her.
03-10-15, 02:14 PM
#84
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No amount of practice would have worked... The driver suddenly pulled out just as I was right at the car. I creamed the left front fender. Put a sizable dent in it... or so I was told, by the policeman who took the report from me in the hospital. (I was taken to the hospital unconscious)
No, I gave up on "watching the eyes..." decades ago. Between false signals, sun glasses, glare and tinted windows, "watching the eyes" is flat out unreliable.
No, I gave up on "watching the eyes..." decades ago. Between false signals, sun glasses, glare and tinted windows, "watching the eyes" is flat out unreliable.
03-10-15, 06:50 PM
#85
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I think you all are missing the point. Just because it doesn't work all the time doesn't mean its bad advice. It still a good policy to have standards and expectations. Lucky for us, these were set a long time ago. And like it or not, and believe it or not, bells do work. If you don't believe me, just play the sound. I'll bet 9 out of 10 people will recognize it as a bicycle. And that's a good thing. Ride safely.
03-11-15, 01:02 PM
#86
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one thing i found out yesterday on the commute home - bells do not work in the rain.
the rain descends on your bell, rendering it to not ring, but give a slight "plunk" that may as well be inaudible in the rain and winds.
had to use my voice to announce myself.
the rain descends on your bell, rendering it to not ring, but give a slight "plunk" that may as well be inaudible in the rain and winds.
had to use my voice to announce myself.
03-16-15, 10:01 AM
#87
☢
Yup... I got creamed by a driver leaving a full stop... after "making eye contact" with him. I don't believe in eye contact... I believe in Casper mode... cyclists are invisible except to those that believe in us. I know I am a ghost because I have seen the faces of motorists who were looking right at me, then started to pull out and realized they were about to hit me... they sudden look of shock... as if they've seen a ghost.
The only "eye contact" I believe in is when someone physically gestures to me... then I know they have seen me. Sadly, the gesture I hate is when some motorist waves me across an intersection when it is NOT my turn... that just muddles the whole relationship we have with motorists.
Last edited by KraneXL; 03-16-15 at 10:12 AM.
03-16-15, 10:57 AM
#88
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Which is why you have to "get their attention". That mean you have to assert yourself and take your position in the road. If you're timid, you're going to get hit.Their intent is to be polite, but in reality its the worst thing they can do. By confounding the laws you turn what should be a stop or a go into a guess. In that case, you must refuse the gesture. I simply point to the light or sign letting them know they have the right-of-way, and that I intend to wait. This is one area ALL of us must be adamant about. We can't afford anything less.The problem with using voice is it doesn't indicate that you're a cyclist. Although is all honesty, the rain would render all of your devices less effective -- including your senses.
What I saw was a motorist looking right down the road... at me... or so it appeared. The reality was the driver looked right through me. BTW there were no bike lanes on the road... I was in the right hand lane in the right tire track.... to avoid the cars parked further back and much further ahead.
Just how would you propose to get someone's attention... someone that is already stopped at a stop sign?
BTW somewhat unrelated to the above situation... but still a "how do you alert someone to your presence" situation...
One thing I find particularly annoying while walking is that motorists rarely look to their right just before they pull out of a side street to a major street... I have knocked on car windows to alert drivers to the fact that I am about to legally cross in front of them. They always give "the look." (ie "you touched my car" or "I'm in a car, I own the road.") Somehow the notion that one is supposed to actually stop, before turning, at a stop sign or stop light, and look for traffic and crossing peds, just seems so "painful" to some motorists.
03-16-15, 11:37 AM
#89
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BTW somewhat unrelated to the above situation... but still a "how do you alert someone to your presence" situation...
One thing I find particularly annoying while walking is that motorists rarely look to their right just before they pull out of a side street to a major street... I have knocked on car windows to alert drivers to the fact that I am about to legally cross in front of them. They always give "the look." (ie "you touched my car" or "I'm in a car, I own the road.") Somehow the notion that one is supposed to actually stop, before turning, at a stop sign or stop light, and look for traffic and crossing peds, just seems so "painful" to some motorists.
Last edited by KraneXL; 03-16-15 at 11:40 AM.
03-16-15, 11:51 AM
#90
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You move. That is, point in the direction you intend to go. That's how you break their trance and hopefully avoid them doing something stupid. And yes, I know its not a perfect world; I ride too. And people can ignore anything if they put their minds to it. This is something drive's ed. and police need to address. I can still hear my instructor saying, "always look both ways before turning." But for at least 50% of drivers, it never took. I get it all the time when riding and walking. Motorist drive right through the WALK sign. When you scold them they just stare at you like you're some crazy lunatic. Sometimes you get an apology, but that isn't worth much if 2000 lbs. of metal contact flesh and bone. Ride defensively.
As far as the right looking situation... it is so bad around here that they have now put up signs at many busy intersections.
This is just telling motorists something they should already know. Too bad we have to keep reminding motorists of their responsibilities.
03-16-15, 01:31 PM
#91
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I don't bother announcing my approach. If someone is in my way, I just conk them on the head with my mace. Works every time. It's a great exercise too.
03-16-15, 01:49 PM
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I just get a bunch of those Shriners in the little gokarts to ride around me whenever I go for a bike ride. I also throw candy at pedestrians. It's a parade!
03-16-15, 02:14 PM
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I rather doubt pointing would have meant anything in this case... I was invisible to the driver.
As far as the right looking situation... it is so bad around here that they have now put up signs at many busy intersections.
This is just telling motorists something they should already know. Too bad we have to keep reminding motorists of their responsibilities.
As far as the right looking situation... it is so bad around here that they have now put up signs at many busy intersections.
This is just telling motorists something they should already know. Too bad we have to keep reminding motorists of their responsibilities.
someone else on a similar thread mentioned whistles are banned in some states. air horn (or similar) seems to be the prevailing choice.
03-16-15, 03:39 PM
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I use a Fox 40 whistle on a lanyard, whenever someone does something stupid, I blow on the whistle and that usually straightens them out.
03-16-15, 03:41 PM
#95
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Well there IS hope... but it is probably 20 years out yet... Self driving cars. Most likely they WILL obey the laws for motorists/peds and cyclists. Or turn on us as in the Terminator movies.
03-16-15, 09:36 PM
#97
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Certainly not for anyone who takes everything posted on the Internet as the Gospel Truth!
03-16-15, 10:03 PM
#98
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I just scream "on your left." Helps with venting my anger. I have a bell but I'm not going to be seen with that on my road/commuting bike. If the person isn't listening then sometimes a very loud "on your ******** left" helps.
03-16-15, 11:12 PM
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If you ride angry, you're doing it wrong.
03-17-15, 07:16 AM
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^^ i agree with above, the main point of cycling is to enjoy it.
so whistles are illegal in NY and NJ
https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/programs/bicycle/faq
A bell, horn or other device that can be heard at least 100 feet away. Sirens and whistles are not permitted (Sec. 1236(b)).
Biking in New Jersey, Regulations, Commuter Information
39:4-11 Audible Signal.
A bicycle must be equipped with a bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away, but not a siren or whistle.
Horns are acceptable.
hah. my bell is certainly not audible 100 ft away. yeesh.
so whistles are illegal in NY and NJ
https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/programs/bicycle/faq
A bell, horn or other device that can be heard at least 100 feet away. Sirens and whistles are not permitted (Sec. 1236(b)).
Biking in New Jersey, Regulations, Commuter Information
39:4-11 Audible Signal.
A bicycle must be equipped with a bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away, but not a siren or whistle.
Horns are acceptable.
hah. my bell is certainly not audible 100 ft away. yeesh.