churnman

Simple courtesy in biking is to ring a bell. I view this in the same way a smiling when I encounter someone walking. Most all of the bell designs are an elegant addition to a handlebar.

Jim from Boston

In general I try to pass quite wide of a cyclist or pedestrian, so as not to startle them. I may greet them as I pass and am noted by them. I too wear a mirror, and I'm only peeved when someone passes closely and startles me, with or without a warning (since I didn't see them approaching).

When I do notice an approaching passer behind me, I usually give them a wave to indicate I see them.

Paul Barnard

Assuming a bike path with limited space, this is why I always pass with a minimum speed differential and with an escape route planned. I typically slow, announce that "I am coming around your left." Then when I get some form of acknowledgement and it's safe, I'll start picking up speed again. Most pedestrians and many casual cyclists have buds in both ears and won't hear anything. I just stay off the gas until I clear them, always prepared for the "what if." On the open road, I pass with a wide berth and do not announce. I don't normally need anyone to announce to me. I keep a close eye and ear out and generally don't have anyone sneak up on me. I maintain a generally steady track and speed (predictable) so if someone does pass me without announcing and I don't know they are there, it doesn't matter. When the situation allows, I almost always tell the other road user to enjoy their ride or walk.

bikecrate

On the open road I almost never warn for passing. On a path type situation I only do it if there isn't enough room to pass safely or they appear to be erratic. I found it best to give a more direct verbal description. Instead of "on your left" I'll say "I'm going to be passing you on your left" or I might just say "excuse me" and "thank you" after passing.

As far as expecting someone to warn you I think it is a bad idea to rely it. I have a mirror and check it frequently or I'll look back over my shoulder before making any moves.

I only get annoyed if someone doesn't pass me safely.

kuroba

As others stated, if it looks like the other rider knows what they're doing I usually pass with caution at a safe distance but if they're zigzagging through the path I ring my bell and/or ask for passing.

With runners with earphones we don't even bother and, in my experience, dogs are usually better at responding to bells than their owners lol.

I'm effectively blind on my left eye so I usually *hear* riders before they pass me, they don't annoy me, I can ride in a straight line also.

morfeeis

I always pass on the left and seeing as though if they are spooked they could push me out into traffic, I feel as though it is very prudent on my end to announce that I am passing. I also don't like when people pass while they're sprinting and don't announce themselves.

nycphotography

You will get 4000 responses to this, each one deeply convinced that you should do EXACTLY how they want otherwise you are just a rude prck. Many of these sets of required behavior are pedantic, overbearing, and even mutually exclusive. You will guaranteed piss someone off no matter which set of rules you adopt and no matter how diligently you follow them.

At which point my advice is to ride however you want and let the stuffy self important overbearing people choose to be as offended, upset, condescending, or whatever they choose to be, to whatever extent it takes makes their day giddy. Because none of that has any bearing on you whatsoever.

Hiro11

It does irritate me when people do pass me on a MUP without announcing themselves. It also really bothers me on singletrack. I can generally hear people coming so it's not really a safety issue, I just am easily offended . Passing without notification doesn't bother me at all on the road. Honestly, people very rarely pass me though (which is not meant as a brag and is likely true of most people on this board).

I always announce myself when passing, especially on a MUP. I do this both for self-preservation reasons and for etiquette reasons.

Homebrew01

On a regular road, passing a regular cyclist, I say "Good afternoon" or such as I pass.

On a MUP, puttering along, passing wobbling, kids, or similar "hazardous" people, I give some kind of warning, well enough ahead of time, so their startled jump, is not into my front wheel.

10 Wheels

I like the rider that passed and said there is 18 of us.

jefnvk

I don't. They should have used "are"

But yeah, I do appreciate when a group announces they are a group, especially if I am trying to time a pass around someone in front of me.

02Giant 

I call out to all that I pass. The majority respond with a thanks, if they don't like it...their problem.

I prefer that those passing me announce. Some of the areas I ride can have some cracks that will eat a 25mm tire. I may unexpectedly (to the rider behind) swerve to avoid.

San Rensho 

I find it anoying when anyone announces they want to pass me. I know you are back there. You dont have to tell me. Whats especially annoying is the person who screams On your left! when they are 3 feet away from you.

And i dont warn because many times riders get squirrely when you say on your left. Or they dont unddrstand what the term means and they they tbink you are telling them to move left and they turn into you.

indyfabz

Maybe you or one of the other mods can make etiquette (including waving) a sticky.


This sort of thread gets old (and sometimes ugly) fast.

italktocats

if youd walk past someone, would you say youre about the pass them? in a car? airplane? swimming? then dont do it on a bike either.. i dont get passed

italktocats

in that case theyre passing too close

Tombaatar

Thanks to everyone that gave thoughtful answers to my questions.

Homebrew01

Whatever you choose to do, it will be considered "wrong" by some of us.

FullGas

only ride on the road, so I don't 'announce.'

simply time my passes to allow adequate room and lift my right hand as I go by to acknowledge the other rider.

never had anyone complain about this technique.

Milton Keynes

I've done that before on a MUP during a group ride. "There are going to be a lot more bikes behind me."

BlazingPedals

My problem with warning is that I'm often passing them with such a speed differential that they can't hear my voice or my bell for more than a second prior to me going by. So if they're not paying attention, they're going to get startled no matter what I do.

TheNormanRider

I had a fellow cyclist call out his pass on the MUP a while back, and it startled me that I veered off my line and almost got in front of him. Think he understood what had transpired, and later I passed him because he had made a pit stop, so when he passed me a second time he didn't announce and simply rode by. Much better for me, but that is a personal thing. Sometimes I will call out; however, I'm naturally soft-spoken so many folks won't hear me. Instead, I give a wide berth to pedestrians and other cyclists, or, if there's not enough room to pass, I will slow down and just roll behind whoever until there is space.

qcpmsame 

As for a general consensus of the cycling community, I doubt that it exists, each cyclist feels they are going to do what the wish, no amount of talk or posts will change this aspect. Many here have already said that this has been hashed out here numerous times.

I am strictly a roadie, no MUP to ride here, I usually call out passing on your right or left as their position requires, pedestrians tend to dart back and forth for some reason. No bells here, I have a deep, loud voice when I wish to, it gets their attention quite well. If they have in ear buds, that is their problem they are responsible to be paying attention somehow. Horse back riders and carts are different thing all together.

I don't mind one way or another about being warned by someone passing me, if I am paying proper attention I pick up on another rider coming past, and even as they approach. If I didn't remain alert I would get mowed down in short order by a vehicle or some form of farm equipment.

Bill

Paul Barnard

Is slowing down not an option?

02Giant 

So...you're saying you are a waver.