Alleytom

Preface: Whether I'm on my road bike or hybrid I ride the canal trails here in the valley, I stay off the roads as much as possible, too many zombie drivers checking their facebook or texting or whatever and just not paying attention to the road. I'm too old to die young...

[RANT]So this morning I'm on my morning ride on the canal path, and I see a family of three, dad and son & daughter, get on the path a couple hundred feet in front of me, dad's in front with the kids trailing behind. As I approach the straggling daughter I first ring my bell, and as I get closer I slow down and call out "Coming up on your left." I called out three times, each time louder than the last. She did not hear me. When my front wheel passes her rear wheel she turns and sees me and luckily swings to the right. She was wearing earbuds and was completely oblivious… I pass her and am coming up on dad & brother about fifty feet ahead, neither of whom have any idea I'm there. Again ring the bell, call out "on your left" twice, they then finally hear me and I am able to safely get by them, and yes, both were wearing earbuds. Isn't the point of spending time together as a family, spending the time together, communicating, talking, sharing etc… Not being in your own world oblivious to those around you. Not to mention the lesson he is teaching his children about situational awareness…[/RANT]

I-Like-To-Bike

If you were passing safely, giving bicycle riding children plenty of space (which should be standard practice), why was their any need for them to alter their path to make more room for you?

Steve B.

wolfchild

Some people are just not aware that there is cyclist behind them about to pass, no matter how much you ring the bell or announce yourself...In these type of situations, I always slow down and give these type of people a lot of room especially kids or people with dogs...Sometimes I have to get off the paved path and pass them riding on the grass just to be safe...I often see idiotic moronic cyclists who never slow down and buzz by people way too close.

Kedosto

hillyman

If that's the worse thing that happens to you all day then count your blessings. Yes is becoming a more self centered world but doubt BF can solve.

kap 7

I completely agree with this and do the exact same thing. Kids, animals and even adults glued to their cellphone or having a conversation with their buddy and oblivious to what is behind them are unpredictable.

UniChris

Once watched a jogger continue running in the park with earbuds oblivious as an ambulance with lights and sirens came up behind her.

It was literally within 15 feet of her, full siren, and she just kept going. Everyone else had cleared out of the way and was watching with "how can this be happening" incredulity.

Finally someone on her side of the road jumped back over the guard rail, grabbed her arm, and hauled her out of the way.

I sometimes I wish I had an escalation noisemaker for when the bell doesn't work. But then I remember that, and figure I'd need a locomotive horn.

Dudelsack 

I love to see kids out on their Little Pony bikes. I admit I’m a bit of a broh-ny at heart. When I approach a herd of Pony people, I go real slow and smile to both kids and parents. This can be a challenge on a SWB bent. If you ride a normal bike, you can practice trackstands.

canklecat

I consider everyone on the MUP to be hearing impaired and act accordingly. That way I'm not embarrassed if I yell "ARE YOU DEAF?!?" and the poor fellow signs back "Yes." Mostly because it's been years since I studied ASL and my finger spelling is painfully slow.

Alleytom

Most adults (walkers and bikers) can be counted on to pretty much stay on path, kids no. When I first started riding clipless a couple years ago a little girl walked in front of me (I was going quite slow because she and her mom were there, the little girl looked at me and just walked in front of me) and I stopped and promptly fell over because I forgot to clip out , I was too embarrassed to be angry.

I always give people plenty of warning and space, and am one of those bicyclers that always say 'HI!" In this case what got to me was dad teaching his children boneheaded and potentially dangerous behavior...

JanMM

Sometimes I'm glad there are almost no MUPs/MUTs on my side of Indy.

livedarklions

I recently had announced my "passing on your left" loudly to a family, and all seemed to pull into line on the right. I had slowed considerably and given them as much room as was necessary, passed the first two kids fine, when the 12 year old boy suddenly went way over to the left right in front of me. I was yelling as was his whole family. I just missed him only because of how much I had slowed. He had huge over the ear headphones on. I said to him very loudly but not meanly "you have to take those off". His dad said to me "thank you", and it was sincere, not sarcastic.
My practice when passing little kids (and I don't mean 12 year olds) is drop my speed enough so I have time to explain to them exactly what I am doing, and to react if they get confused. I think experienced riders can take some responsibility to model and teach kids good path practice, and do it in such a way that parents see you are actually helping them.

One of the few times I've wanted to sock a fellow biker occurred last week when a guy salmoned between me and a small child unannounced not just once, but twice in 5 minutes. I yelled at him very loudly as I passed him for the third and final time. If I had more time to yell, I would have told him "you're not fast, you're just a sociopath." He damn near took out 2 little kids.

BTW, slowing down a lot, then accelerating fast after the pass is great training for your legs. I think people who get fixated on keeping up their average speed actually miss a lot of opportunity to improve their acceleration and hill climbing by not slowing when they should.

livedarklions

Is there anything funnier than the lack of self-awareness exhibited by someone who takes the time to post a comment to the effect of "your comment wasn't worth posting"?
​​​​​​It's a fascinating psychological phenomenon.

livedarklions

[QUOTE=Alleytom;20410121

I always give people plenty of warning and space, and am one of those bicyclers that always say 'HI!" In this case what got to me was dad teaching his children boneheaded and potentially dangerous behavior...[/QUOTE]

I suspect you were a lot more polite to him than I would have been. The only word I disagree with in that sentence is "potentially".

I'm really big on saying" hi" and " thank you" as I pass. Otherwise, I think people who aren't used to the paths think you might be scolding them when you announce " passing on your left ". I always feel a little guilty when someone overreacts to the announcement. Not rational, but I hate for them to think I was yelling at them when I just wanted to make sure they don't move to the left.

Alleytom

Agree 100%, especially the "Thank you" thing, there are a lot of bikers that give us all a bad rep, I don't want to be one of them. One of my favorite ways is to say "On your left ladies" in my spot on (read atrocious) English accent as I am approaching, then "Thank you ladies" in the same as I pass, usually gets me smiles.

Troul 

if possible, take the grass side. The convoy of obliviousness is becoming worse then geese crossing the entire path/road. At least the geese don't stare you down like you're in the wrong...

Troul 

Saying "your zippers down" makes for a nice laugh as you pass them.

PdalPowr

Absolutely.

spinnaker

So what is the alternative for the OP? Stop??? The OP has just as much right to enjoy the bike path as that family. It is the parent's responsibility to make sure the children are behaving in a safe and courteous manner.

GrainBrain

Been doing that a ton now, nice to see how full our trails can be!

I use a good bell that's very good at punching through earbuds. I call out as well and if no reaction slow down and approach the left carefully, then call out again, followed by a "thanks!"

I've been yelled at once, I quickly approached a very crotchety old man traveling the opposite way last year who shouted something like "Aren't you special!"

I'm guessing we're approaching peak trail usage as RAGBRAI nears, by late July on it's busy but not crazy busy. Then once again the cold will come and only a few of us will be out and about. Awesome to think how it goes from being surprised by a rider to calling out literally every half mile.

spinnaker

I am pretty sure the middle finger is not the ASL for "Yes I am deaf".

All kidding aside. It is even more critical that those with disabilities are aware of their surroundings. It should not be incumbent on those around them to get out of their way. For a hidden disability like a hearing disability it is especially important.

spinnaker

Though I need to get mine mounted again, when I did have one, it seemed to me people responded more intuitively to a bell. It never fails that when you say "on your left" some dofus will move to the left. Ring the bell and most people move right.

Troul 

The oncoming folks that drift in your lane then when you get over to the other side, they will follow...are just a treat to experience.
ive went into the street at points due to the indecisive travelers.