"On your left!"
03-03-12 | 09:02 PM
#76
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,929
Likes: 1
From: On the bridge with Picard
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
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.
03-05-12 | 04:12 PM
#77
Fred
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Comp, Trek 4100, Specialized Allez Elite, Kickr Snap
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.
03-05-12 | 05:31 PM
#78
Shredding Grandma!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,803
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
Bikes: I don't own any bikes
Where I live people generally don't call out at all. I know all the reasons people have given up calling out but I still do. Yes I understand alot of the people walking, riding, skating etc on the bike path don't speak english; or have no experience; whatever. I do something alittle different - I don't yell 'cause that just startles people and they overreact. Speaking in a regular voice I just say "on a bike; I will be passing on your left side..." That seems to work. I will also say "and there's two more back" I generally get a "thank you!" back... I refuse to stop calling out... its just common courtesy...
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Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
03-05-12 | 05:43 PM
#79
Shredding Grandma!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,803
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
Bikes: I don't own any bikes
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.
__________________
______________________________________________________________
Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
03-05-12 | 05:48 PM
#80
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
I have itty bitty Incredabells on my bikes. They say "ting" "ting" almost unobtrusively. They are also around 75% effective. To get through to the other 25% might require a level of obnoxiousness that I'm not willing to sink to.
Life is too short to spend constantly generating conflict.
Life is too short to spend constantly generating conflict.
03-05-12 | 06:19 PM
#81
Beast Rider
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, Virginia
Bikes: Trek Transport
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.
The thing I find extremely amusing is you rarely, if EVER, see these folks commuting on a daily basis. I guess that all that expensive gear is simply for showing off........
03-05-12 | 09:56 PM
#84
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 1
From: Gig Harbor, WA
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
I just ring my bell, and usually receive a thank you, or just say good morning, it works better for me than any other type of warnings given.
03-06-12 | 08:49 AM
#85
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
Bikes: Kona Dew Drop, Specialized Expedition Sport
I like to announce my presence with a couple of dings on the bell. It's kind of a gentle, friendly sound compared to a horn or a yell, and it immediately says "bike." Then I'll say Hi, or Good Morning, or whatever, followed by "I'm passing on your left" and a Thank You as I pass. This works in our area, where the MUPs are plentiful and uncrowded. In heavy traffic, it might get wearisome, I guess.
Pets, kids and headphone wearers are a different matter. You just have to go slow, be patient, and be ready to stop.
Pets, kids and headphone wearers are a different matter. You just have to go slow, be patient, and be ready to stop.
03-06-12 | 09:32 AM
#86
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 3
I like the bell which can be heard far enough back that the reaction comes before I get there. I hated having to yell, get 0 reaction and then yell louder. Usually I stay off the MUP as the tree roots are ridiculous and even though the MUP is super busy
and used as transportation the city/county has no interest in maintaining it. If I want to mountain bike I head for the trails. Sorry for the rant.
and used as transportation the city/county has no interest in maintaining it. If I want to mountain bike I head for the trails. Sorry for the rant.
