905

Nothing much, but that's not in the spirit of this thread, so I'll admit to occasionally having to keep my eyes from rolling at red light jumpers; for no good reason, really, other than training I can't seem to shake that red means stop. I cycle to relax, or at least to feel good, and getting annoyed at other road users (including errant pedestrians) for doing things that in almost all cases are minor inconveniences would be counterproductive.

As for "on your right" (or left - I'm in the UK, where undertaking is punishable by drawing and quartering), enough cyclists don't know what this means and it's not instinctive or immediately understood by the words alone. Better to observe how they're riding and their likely movements, make a judgement about how much room you need to give them, and don't shout what may not be, but very much sounds like, an order.

Seconded, if anybody ever scolds me. Then again I wouldn't know, as I've got earphones in.

Beth W

My least favorite thing is when fellow commuters pass me on the right (by which I mean between myself and the "door zone"), particularly without letting me know they're about to do it.

AlmostTrick

The few times I meet another commuter on my route I always start a conversation. (if it is convenient to do so)

If the cyclist was trackstanding at a light, I would find it very convenient. Even more so if she's wearing flamboyant clothes.

I-Like-To-Bike

Good advice. It is strange how many posters complain that every time they order, bark and/or shout "On Your Left" (usually in reference to MUP riding) it is just as likely that the pedestrian or other cyclist will move the "wrong" direction, yet the shouters continue to communicate ineffectively with strangers ahead of them using this often misunderstood jargon.

modernjess

Bike commuters who complain about other bike commuters complaining about bike commuters who complain.

Oh and I always make it a point to talk to guys doing track stands. Track stands are the cycling equivalent of smartphones. "Hey, I'm engaging in this behavior because it is far more important than engaging you with my fellow being standing right next to me" If you love track stands so much go hit the velodrome.

TerraCottaGamer

Exactly. That is why it is called a TRACK stand. If your commute is in the city with tons of potential stops for lights and blockages - clipless are a waste. Different story for those going several km with only a couple of lights. IMHO.

modernjess

Whoa, wait up. What do riders who insist on the urban track stand and the choice to ride clipless pedals have to do with one another? Please enlighten me.

I-Like-To-Bike

See post 45 https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...l#post17424016

"Re my "track stand futzing", I do it because allows me to remain clipped in and makes commuting with clipless more practical."

modernjess

Oh, of course My mistake. So there is more than one person that thinks these two things are inexorably intertwined. Ok then. I stand corrected.

TerraCottaGamer

My point was that whether you use clips/straps or clipless doesn't matter - both are a complete waste of time if you are stopping every 200 feet anyway.

So let me preface this by saying that there is, imho, a time a place for a track stand. But the vast majority of time I see someone doing it, or trying to do it, it is at the wrong place and at the wrong time.

In a busy city, this is pretty much what happens every time:

The sap trying to do the track stand is poor at the skill. Therefore they see the red light and begin slowing down way before they need to in order to 'prepare' to do the track stand. This slows down everyone else behind them and blocks the lane unnecessarily.
Then they are so poor at the skill that they jiggle around and wobble so much that nobody, drivers or cyclist, thinks they are going to stay upright or stationary. Therefore nobody knows how to proceed safely because they are worried that the idiot doing a track stand is going to fall over in front of them.
And when the light finally turns green, they are so concentrated on trying to stay upright that they don't see the light change and stand their wavering like an idiot when everyone else is trying to actually move forward.
Beyond that, if they do start to move, they have likely forgotten to put the bike in a gear they can easily peddle out of so they spend the next 100 feet trying to get up to speed and - don't you know - the next 100 feet slowing down again to 'prepare' for another poorly executed track stand.

caloso

I was going to say salmoning till I was reminded of the person who locked up a bike on the end of the rack (prime spot) at least two years ago.

yankeefan

Nah, that's definitely not what I said. You gotta read the rest of my posts and not just one that someone singled out in order to misrepresent my argument. I've stated multiple times that track standing is convenient for me because I am rather poor at instantaneously clipping into my SPDs, not that it was a prerequisite that every cyclist must master before attempting to commute with clipless (although learning to instantaneously clip in should be a prerequisite...too bad I missed that bus!).

yankeefan

Why am I obligated to engage with the being standing next to me? Even when I do put my foot down I rarely entertain long conversations. A polite exchange of greetings is always welcome but sometimes I really do enjoy not having to talk to people, especially on my commute back home. Some of us need that silence in order to recharge our batteries.

Gresp15C

So that's what all that thrashing at stop lights is about. I thought they were trying to get out of their clipless seats.

My peeve is ear buds. That might explain the sudden reaction when you signal from behind -- they can barely hear you, so they know something is happening but they don't know what. Indeed, it's my habit these days to assume that everybody on the bike path is deaf. The signal is more for courtesy than safety.

yankeefan

+1

I've seen it a few times and I've been guilty of it in the past, but I made an effort to master it completely in the park before attempting it again in traffic and its sad that not enough people do this. I don't need to "prepare" as I can do it instantaneously and remain seated (partially) and my wobbles are minimal as long as nobody attempts to interview me while I'm doing it. I also stare the light while I'm doing it and I never have trouble accelerating from a track stand. Poorly executed track stands are definitely a safety hazard and I'd be annoyed if I saw a poor chap wobbling furiously next to me attempting to balance himself at a light.

auldgeunquers

auldgeunquers

+1.

But you used six words ... just saying ...

nkfrench 

I have MTB SPD double-sided pedals & MTB shoes / commuter SPD sandals. They work great for commuting. I have gotten lots of practice cleating in/out and usually get right off the mark when I get the green light. I find it annoying when experienced cyclists get in front of me at stops then futz around so the light is already yellow before they get going and allow my passage. That means it will turn red before I get across.

Another annoyance is at a busy 4-way stop intersection. A driver will attempt to wave me through out of turn, and I will refuse to take ROW of them and the others at the intersection. Then after I've waved the drivers through, another cyclist will blow the stop. Follow the traffic laws, folks; this introduces chaos into an otherwise predictable situation.

nelson249

On my current suburban route and given the time of year I see so few cycle commuters that I rejoice in seeing one even if they are doing something that otherwise annoy me.

JoeyBike

Other than the occasional salmon, I got nuthin'. My expectations regarding other cyclists are very low I admit, but major issues and even minor annoyances caused by other bike commuters are rare for me. I think I give way more than I get (if other commuters are offended by SEEING how I operate in traffic).

Joggers in the bike lane do bug me however.

RidingMatthew

THIS MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD On both points Thanks for that.

I dont understand the problem with clipping in and out. I use pedals with clips on one side and platform on the other. When i get downtown (stoplights) I sometimes ride right foot clipped and left on the platform) No matter what when I push down I can pedal or clip in after I have taken a few strokes. Seems to cure the problem of clipping in and out a lot.

I think that ear buds in bikes/ cars/ any vehicle in which you are responsible for safe operation of seems kinda dumb. It removes one of your senses. I think you can definitly listen to ear buds while riding the bus.

mcours2006

It's been a somewhat entertaining read, this whole thread. I didn't jump in earlier because being a suburban commuter I don't encounter other cyclists.

Trackstanding--I can't do it, and have no need for it, nor the desire to learn it. I unclip. Seems to me that it actually takes some concentration and effort to do it, and if I've been pushing it for the past few kms, it's nice to take a 30-second break. If there's a signpost or something else I can hold on to while staying clipped in, then I will do that to save me from unclipping.

Wearing earbuds on a bike is just plain stupid.

Bike Gremlin

I just don't like when people take the whole cycle path, leaving no room to pass them. And salmoning.

tjspiel

People riding the wrong direction or a group of riders taking up the whole width of a trail can be annoying but I really try not to let the actions of other cyclists, pedestrians, or drivers bother me too much.

Knowingly or not, people (including myself) do dumb/inconsiderate stuff all the time and I can't control it. It is up to me whether I let it ruin my ride or just forget it and move on.

I-Like-To-Bike

Ear buds "remove" the sense of hearing just as sunglasses "remove" the sense of sight.