Self-awareness
05-12-26 | 12:56 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 986
Likes: 413
From: Northern CA
Bikes: Cannondale tandems: '92 Road, '97 Mtn. Mongoose 10.9 Ti, Kelly Deluxe, Tommaso Chorus, Cdale MT2000, Schwinn Deluxe Cruiser, Torker Unicycle, among others.
So I live in an area where sidewalks on one side of the street are extra wide as they are meant for cyclists and pedestrians. You don't want to ride on the road in this area (residential, but people are not aware of their surroundings). Like most people, I do ride on the sidewalk and follow the rules -- but seriously, people are simply not self-aware of their surroundings. They are so glued to their phones either talking or staring at them that when I shout out "on your left" they have no idea what to do; or think I'm yelling out to someone else; or simply ignore me. Or people walk right in the middle of the sidewalk - not on the right or left - but right down the middle.
I'm thinking of getting something that will make some noise or just a buzzer to warn people but my boys have said that if I keep adding gadgets to my bike it will look like Pee-Wee Herman's!!! LOL... and they've threatened to buy me streamers for my handlebars. LOL!
If I am able to, I will ride on the side of the road. I have a blinker on the back of my bike, and a headlight and I wear a safety vest no matter what time of day I go out an of course, always wear a helmet.
What else can I do to ensure my own safety? Anything else that's a good idea to buy?
I'm thinking of getting something that will make some noise or just a buzzer to warn people but my boys have said that if I keep adding gadgets to my bike it will look like Pee-Wee Herman's!!! LOL... and they've threatened to buy me streamers for my handlebars. LOL!
If I am able to, I will ride on the side of the road. I have a blinker on the back of my bike, and a headlight and I wear a safety vest no matter what time of day I go out an of course, always wear a helmet.
What else can I do to ensure my own safety? Anything else that's a good idea to buy?
05-12-26 | 04:37 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 730
Likes: 744
This is part of the area I ride in...
There are usually cars parked on the right & left side and the road is pretty narrow - it would be tight if if someone wanted to get past me.
Unfortunately it's always busy as this is one of two main roads in the area. On the far end of the island is a huge residential development along with commercial and 80% use this street to get in/out. The area is over developed for the number of ways to get in/out.
There are usually cars parked on the right & left side and the road is pretty narrow - it would be tight if if someone wanted to get past me.
Unfortunately it's always busy as this is one of two main roads in the area. On the far end of the island is a huge residential development along with commercial and 80% use this street to get in/out. The area is over developed for the number of ways to get in/out.
05-18-26 | 10:49 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 715
From: Albuquerque NM USA
When passing walkers or runners on a MUP I simply call out "passing". In the USA, everyone understands you pass on the left. Also, I leave it to the pedestrian to decide what side they want to go on anyway. But solo walkers always go to the right.
My own experiences with someone calling out "on your left" is it usually sounds something like "uhm yub uft" and is said about a nanosecond before they pass. Whether or not someone understands that I said "passing", they certainly heard someone say something and know I'm coming. I call out well before I get to them and slow if needed until they react. Though sometimes there is no reaction and I can see ear buds in their ears. I make as wide a pass as possible and slow as needed. But it's on them if they get startled.
I tried a bell once, and I don't know what it was about that bell, though it sounded very typical, but people would start jumping all over the place. Like the bell sent a message of "get the F out of my way, now!"
I have also noticed the experienced walkers and runners. They stay far right, don't wander back and forth, and when I call out, they lift a hand or just a finger to let me know I heard them.
Worst is a small group of people that walk side by side across the whole MUP. I call out "passing" (usually multiple times getting louder until they notice), and do they all just move to one side. Of course not, some go left some go right and you have to thread the needle between them.
Plenty of cyclists coming the other way that think if their tires are just to the side of the middle, that they are on their side. They often make no effort at all to move over. I'm not dumb enough to play chicken, but I sure feel like just staying in the middle of my side and bracing for impact sometimes.
My own experiences with someone calling out "on your left" is it usually sounds something like "uhm yub uft" and is said about a nanosecond before they pass. Whether or not someone understands that I said "passing", they certainly heard someone say something and know I'm coming. I call out well before I get to them and slow if needed until they react. Though sometimes there is no reaction and I can see ear buds in their ears. I make as wide a pass as possible and slow as needed. But it's on them if they get startled.
I tried a bell once, and I don't know what it was about that bell, though it sounded very typical, but people would start jumping all over the place. Like the bell sent a message of "get the F out of my way, now!"
I have also noticed the experienced walkers and runners. They stay far right, don't wander back and forth, and when I call out, they lift a hand or just a finger to let me know I heard them.
Worst is a small group of people that walk side by side across the whole MUP. I call out "passing" (usually multiple times getting louder until they notice), and do they all just move to one side. Of course not, some go left some go right and you have to thread the needle between them.
Plenty of cyclists coming the other way that think if their tires are just to the side of the middle, that they are on their side. They often make no effort at all to move over. I'm not dumb enough to play chicken, but I sure feel like just staying in the middle of my side and bracing for impact sometimes.
05-19-26 | 08:01 AM
#30
Firm but gentle
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 172
From: Oregon
Bikes: Custom Ti Quiring 29Plus, 2005 Litespeed Tuscany, Carver Gnarvester, Soma Pescadero, Jamis Hybrid
05-19-26 | 12:24 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,219
Likes: 5,436
From: SF Bay Area, East bay
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
On your left is better for other cyclist. Use a bell a fair ways back and say bike if they seem unaware. If it's congested, slow way down.
