"On your left!"
03-01-12, 06:04 PM
#51
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I loved it down there. I need to find longer term accomodations as the Central Motel (great location!!) was ok for a short stay but next year I can see staying for a month or better.
When I ride my route to Stone Mtn, most of the people (pedestrians) either don't understand what it means or move directly in front of you. Everyone on the Withlacoochee Trail (Florida) understands it. 
03-01-12, 07:45 PM
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I was reading another thread and one of the posters mentioned how he had called out "on your left" at 15M and again at 5M and the kid on the bike turned into him as he came by. In my opinion, "On your left" means NOTHING to anyone but another (seasoned) cyclist. I find on the MUP that if I call "On your left" to a walker, they always tend to look down at the ground to their left and then swing around and look. I find it works better to call out "I'm going to pass you on your left." To call "On your left" to a 12 year old kid has the same effect as calling it out to the lady with the beagle on 25 feet of retractable line....NONE. They just don't know what to do, or what you intend unless you express yourself with more than three words.
Just my observation after a couple years of riding MUPs and Trails and road.
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
Just my observation after a couple years of riding MUPs and Trails and road.
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
03-01-12, 07:53 PM
#54
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My experience on MUPs is that hollering "On your left!" has been pretty much useless. Walkers and families with kids on little bikes seem to have no clue what that means. What I holler, instead, is "BEHIND YOU!" and that seems to get far more acknowledgement. They make their move, which isn't always to the right, and once they've done that, I know how to proceed.
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03-01-12, 10:02 PM
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I'm the one who said it in the other thread. Maybe I didn't write it exactly right as I agree that many don't understand the meaning. I still do say it, though, simply for them to hear my voice and know that I'm there. Sometimes it's "comin' through!" and "comin up behind ya" etc etc. The important thing is to hear me, and I look for a sign that they hear me, too.
And even still, I fully expect them to walk/turn/move right into me anyways! ;-)
And even still, I fully expect them to walk/turn/move right into me anyways! ;-)
03-01-12, 10:11 PM
#56
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How about a vigorous "Passing.................gas!" Would that work?
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03-01-12, 10:43 PM
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On multi-use trails I personally believe if you're going faster than someone else it's your responsibility to figure out the passing maneuver and it's your fault if there's any collision. If I see walkers with ipods I slow to nearly their speed and pass very casually. There's no need to be in a hurry to blow past people. If you are in a hurry, take the roads. Think of it as great exercise to accelerate back to your preferred speed each time.
03-02-12, 01:07 AM
#58
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I take Anita Wards advice and "Ring my Bell".
03-02-12, 07:55 AM
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I also use "passing on your left" when overtaking someone. I ride a MUP daily and try to get there when there aren't too many people using it. During the week, the MUP is not very crowded but on weekends, it's pretty much packed with runners, walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers. It's also when many families go with their children. I have noticed that using "on your left" doesn't register with many of the family riders, but putting the word "passing" into the phrase gets their attention and they almost always check to make sure their children are out of the way. What's unfortunate, is that many of the riders (roadies, mostly) at this MUP seem to think that the $2.00 parking fee comes complete with ESP because they don't say or do anything to let you know they are passing or that they are even there. Several people have been injured because of this but it doesn't change the cyclist attitude about letting others know their intent to pass.
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03-02-12, 09:35 AM
#60
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"On your left" is secret code, known only the initiated. Since there's no initiation required to use the bike path, it's silly to expect everyone to know what it means.
I'm in favor of plain English. "Bike passing" says it without confusing anyone.
That's if they can hear you over the iPod…
I'm in favor of plain English. "Bike passing" says it without confusing anyone.
That's if they can hear you over the iPod…
I slow down, prepare to brake if necessary, and yell "PASSING!". Almost always, they turn to look then move to the right. I'm most cautious when the walker has a dog on a long leash.
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03-02-12, 11:40 AM
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I was reading another thread and one of the posters mentioned how he had called out "on your left" at 15M and again at 5M and the kid on the bike turned into him as he came by. In my opinion, "On your left" means NOTHING to anyone but another (seasoned) cyclist. I find on the MUP that if I call "On your left" to a walker, they always tend to look down at the ground to their left and then swing around and look. I find it works better to call out "I'm going to pass you on your left." To call "On your left" to a 12 year old kid has the same effect as calling it out to the lady with the beagle on 25 feet of retractable line....NONE. They just don't know what to do, or what you intend unless you express yourself with more than three words.
Just my observation after a couple years of riding MUPs and Trails and road.
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
Just my observation after a couple years of riding MUPs and Trails and road.
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
-G
03-02-12, 05:30 PM
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I have found that yelling "on your left" confuses a lot of people and even myself sometimes when I am the pedestrian. Folks have to process that someone is coming by on the left and maybe I should move right.
What works best for me is to announce "Coming by!" in time for me to judge their reaction and adjust my course accordingly. Most folks will move to one side of the path or the other giving me an open lane to use. Others simply hold their line down the path and that is acceptable too.
Most auto racers have one simple request from slower cars that they are passing and that is "Be predictable!". The only time I need walkers to change their behavior is when they are walking abreast and taking up the whole width of the path.
I always say "Thank You!" when going by.
What works best for me is to announce "Coming by!" in time for me to judge their reaction and adjust my course accordingly. Most folks will move to one side of the path or the other giving me an open lane to use. Others simply hold their line down the path and that is acceptable too.
Most auto racers have one simple request from slower cars that they are passing and that is "Be predictable!". The only time I need walkers to change their behavior is when they are walking abreast and taking up the whole width of the path.
I always say "Thank You!" when going by.
03-02-12, 06:10 PM
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On multi-use trails I personally believe if you're going faster than someone else it's your responsibility to figure out the passing maneuver and it's your fault if there's any collision. If I see walkers with ipods I slow to nearly their speed and pass very casually. There's no need to be in a hurry to blow past people. If you are in a hurry, take the roads. Think of it as great exercise to accelerate back to your preferred speed each time.
Just me. I hate bells. I believe they should only be used when there is a imminent danger, otherwise be civil and use your voice.
03-02-12, 06:31 PM
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My experience on MUPs is that hollering "On your left!" has been pretty much useless. Walkers and families with kids on little bikes seem to have no clue what that means. What I holler, instead, is "BEHIND YOU!" and that seems to get far more acknowledgement. They make their move, which isn't always to the right, and once they've done that, I know how to proceed.
03-02-12, 07:33 PM
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I need more cowbell.
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03-02-12, 09:32 PM
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After marching folks in ROTC I decided lots of folks dont know left from right,so to end the confusion its PASSING!! ,here
Bud
Bud
03-03-12, 06:11 AM
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Around my area an "on your left" or "behind you" generally doesn't rate anything. And since a LOT of these folks walking have their earbuds tight or are too busy yakking on the cell phone. When a light chirp on the Noisy Cricket doesn't work, I'll fire it off in all of it's glory.....THEN, because of the way the horn undulates, it ALMOST sounds like a police siren, I manage to get them to turn around and look. Works for me as simply hollering something falls on deaf, or stupid, ears.
03-03-12, 08:22 AM
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I wonder about balance, though. My bell works and is a fairly pleasant sound that most pedestrians and others on the MUP appreciate (they thank me for the warning), but I am not sure that going to a more forceful warning is neighborly. People like to be warned, not blown out of their socks. So how does one provide adequate warning to those who are voluntarily hearing impaired without annoying others on the path?
-g
03-03-12, 01:09 PM
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I need more cowbell.
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Save the bell or air horn for those wearing sandals!
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03-03-12, 02:46 PM
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Yep, there's this, in which case not much works anyway. I just slow down and try to time their side-to-side wandering as I pass. If sometimes it gets close, well I just figure that they should be used to it by now, given their voluntary detachment from the real world. (Side track - I often see folks in grocery stores with earbuds in. What's with this need to always augment life with a music track?)
I wonder about balance, though. My bell works and is a fairly pleasant sound that most pedestrians and others on the MUP appreciate (they thank me for the warning), but I am not sure that going to a more forceful warning is neighborly. People like to be warned, not blown out of their socks. So how does one provide adequate warning to those who are voluntarily hearing impaired without annoying others on the path?
-g
I wonder about balance, though. My bell works and is a fairly pleasant sound that most pedestrians and others on the MUP appreciate (they thank me for the warning), but I am not sure that going to a more forceful warning is neighborly. People like to be warned, not blown out of their socks. So how does one provide adequate warning to those who are voluntarily hearing impaired without annoying others on the path?
-g
As I stated, I first use a LIGHT chirp. Then, if there is no response, then it's two or three quick presses on the button. THEN if there is STILL no response it gets a little longer. I don't run up behind people blaring the horn......
03-03-12, 08:37 PM
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Sometimes what I do is simply say "bicycle behind you" and let them make the decision as to which way they want to move. I have had one incident where two men walking side by side moved in opposite directions, all I could do was laugh.
After passing the people who have moved out of my way, I always say "Thank You!" and most people appreciate that. My girlfriend will ring her friendly bell and then say "On your left". 99% of time it works.
After passing the people who have moved out of my way, I always say "Thank You!" and most people appreciate that. My girlfriend will ring her friendly bell and then say "On your left". 99% of time it works.
03-03-12, 08:42 PM
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As far as hearing impaired (I'm deaf in one ear). Ride very slowly around them staying as far from them as you can. Be sure and wave a friendly "Thanks" as you pass.
I know I get startled by roadies that go by me when I haven't heard them, but being on a bicycle I try to "keep my line".
I know I get startled by roadies that go by me when I haven't heard them, but being on a bicycle I try to "keep my line".