It’s in France, not on this MUP
Yesterday while heading home on my local MUP, I almost had a collision. There’s a street crossing that normally goes pretty smoothly. The local drivers are careful and bikers mostly too. I was approaching southbound with the intention of turning left onto the street. I stuck out my left arm and I was about to turn and some cyclist was right there ripping by without any warning. I yelled “you should say something”. His response, “like what?” Almost hit him. As I cruised home pondering this occurance, I remembered. The Tour de France is on TV. I guess it’s a yearly thing. It makes my wish summer would be over so I can have the whole path to myself on a cold rainy day. Sigh. |
Do you use a helmet or glasses mount mirror? I realize you signalled, and that the other bike should have been expecting you to turn, but a mirror would help you make more informed decisions. But mirrors are no panacea. Despite my opsessive/compulsive mirror checking, I had a situation similar to yours a couple of weeks ago. I didn't see the bicyclist behind me in my mirror. I suspect he swung in around me from a side street in just such a way that I missed him, but as in your case, he should have seen me signal and slowed to allow it.
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That guy's a jerk and should have called out the pass. However, I never, ever assume I'm clear. Always, always, always shoulder check when making a lateral move, whether commuting or racing. No mirror necessary.
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That jerk probably didn't wave either!
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Originally Posted by BobbyG
(Post 20447512)
Do you use a helmet or glasses mount mirror? I realize you signalled, and that the other bike should have been expecting you to turn, but a mirror would help you make more informed decisions. But mirrors are no panacea. Despite my opsessive/compulsive mirror checking, I had a situation similar to yours a couple of weeks ago. I didn't see the bicyclist behind me in my mirror. I suspect he swung in around me from a side street in just such a way that I missed him, but as in your case, he should have seen me signal and slowed to allow it.
Sometimes people just make mistakes and get embarrassed then lash out. However, this guy sounds like he'd be a jerk even if he didn't have "Tour Fever". |
The overtaking cyclist was negligent in not alerting you that he was passing (verbal or bell) but you always have to shoulder check first before making a left hand turn and then signal.
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i always ding ding or "on yer left" when going for a pass. It always catches them off guard & results in something negative from the situation.
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Originally Posted by caloso
(Post 20447520)
However, I never, ever assume I'm clear. Always, always, always shoulder check when making a lateral move, whether commuting or racing. No mirror necessary.
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Originally Posted by Joe Bikerider
(Post 20447410)
...I yelled “you should say something”. His response, “like what?” Almost hit him.
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cost of opportunity, you need a job, so you live there.
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At one point in our weekly ride my wife and I need to turn left across oncoming riders and other riders gaining on us in order to leave the path and transition on to the street. It is basically a hair-pin turn so we are usually reducing our speed at the same time. My wife is not as confident on a bike as I am so she usually wants to make sure she has enough elbow room in order to make this turn. Many times there will be a large group of much more experienced riders coming up fast behind us and she had the tendency to tense up. We now have a routine where I will let her go in front of me and as I drop back I make sure that my arm is sticking straight out and I'll slowly but ever so slightly move towards the center of the path in order to discourage people behind us from trying to pass us as we slow down for the turn. I've found that although I may be slowing down a more "professional" group of riders that they respect that a clear signal was given with more than enough time to negotiate the slow down.
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Originally Posted by Joe Bikerider
(Post 20447410)
Yesterday while heading home on my local MUP, I almost had a collision. There’s a street crossing that normally goes pretty smoothly. The local drivers are careful and bikers mostly too. I was approaching southbound with the intention of turning left onto the street. I stuck out my left arm and I was about to turn and some cyclist was right there ripping by without any warning. I yelled “you should say something”. His response, “like what?” Almost hit him. As I cruised home pondering this occurance, I remembered. The Tour de France is on TV. I guess it’s a yearly thing. It makes my wish summer would be over so I can have the whole path to myself on a cold rainy day. Sigh. when you drive a car on the right lan and want to move over to the left, you also have to make sure there is room. Your blinker is no legal requirement for cars on the left lane to yield to you. That guy who passed you should for self-interest announced himself, or slowed down, but there was no legal obligation. It was your turn to yield. |
Originally Posted by HerrKaLeun
(Post 20448818)
Based on what you said, he is in the right. The same holds for cars... whoever makes a left turn has to make sure the road is clear. You didn't use mirrors or look back. Signalling alone isn't a magic wand to clear the path for you.
when you drive a car on the right lan and want to move over to the left, you also have to make sure there is room. Your blinker is no legal requirement for cars on the left lane to yield to you. That guy who passed you should for self-interest announced himself, or slowed down, but there was no legal obligation. It was your turn to yield. |
I ride daily, in Flatwoods Park, where several long distance world records were broken. It's a nicely paved, seven mile, one way, fairly wide, oval shaped path with no cross streets, no speed limit and no motorized traffic (other than the park rangers and authorized vehicles). It's the training site for the USF Cycling Team and countless triathletes in the area. Tour Fever at Flatwoods is a year around event. You just have to learn to get over what other riders do or don't do while you are riding on the same path as they are. I have learned that calling out to them for something did/didn't do isn't going to make them change any.
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
(Post 20448378)
cost of opportunity, you need a job, so you live there.
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It was yesterday. Let it go. You said something to the guy. That's enough. There are 8,657 things more important today.
Ten years ago I decided not to get upset over things I have no control over - easy to say but difficult in practice. How people ride their bikes or pass others is not within my control. I worry about how I ride because that is something I can control. Kudos for having the presence of mind to realize he was there before it turned bad. My peripheral vision isn't what it used to be. -Tim- |
Originally Posted by Joe Bikerider
(Post 20447410)
Yesterday while heading home on my local MUP, I almost had a collision. There’s a street crossing that normally goes pretty smoothly. The local drivers are careful and bikers mostly too. I was approaching southbound with the intention of turning left onto the street. I stuck out my left arm and I was about to turn and some cyclist was right there ripping by without any warning. I yelled “you should say something”. His response, “like what?” Almost hit him. As I cruised home pondering this occurance, I remembered. The Tour de France is on TV. I guess it’s a yearly thing. It makes my wish summer would be over so I can have the whole path to myself on a cold rainy day. Sigh. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c02ff6d5c0.jpg |
I was driving 80 miles today. Probably 100 such situations where someone didn't use blinker, or just cut me off and i had to use the brakes etc. i may have done some wrongs things too.
Somehow car drivers seem more relaxed and don't go to the internet to complain about every single instance. |
Originally Posted by Joe Bikerider
(Post 20447410)
I yelled “you should say something”. His response, “like what?”
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Next time, give him THE LOOK.
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Originally Posted by caloso
(Post 20447520)
That guy's a jerk and should have called out the pass. However, I never, ever assume I'm clear. Always, always, always shoulder check when making a lateral move, whether commuting or racing. No mirror necessary.
Always check behind you before making a maneuver. As a fast rider, I rarely get passed, but I still check all the time. A defensive rider is aware of their surroundings at all times. There many people that feel the bike trails are their private closed course, they are paththletes (AKA jerks). Edit/afterthought - this issue has nothing to do with TdF, just like the Indianapolis 500 doesn't cause people to speed on the highway. |
I don't use a mirror (helmet or handlebar mounted) for this very reason.
It forces me to whip my head around and physically look. There is no replacement for looking. None. Not on a bike. Not in a car. If you're going to make a turn, look where you are going before changing your course. That said, Speedy McClosePass mentioned in the OP is still a moron. But turning your head to look where you are going is basic Moron Defense. |
Originally Posted by Hypno Toad
(Post 20452656)
There many people that feel the bike trails are their private closed course, they are paththletes (AKA jerks).
HAHAHAHA I'm stealing that. |
Originally Posted by Skipjacks
(Post 20452669)
Pathletes!!
HAHAHAHA I'm stealing that. |
Originally Posted by Skipjacks
(Post 20452665)
I don't use a mirror (helmet or handlebar mounted) for this very reason.
It forces me to whip my head around and physically look. There is no replacement for looking. None. Not on a bike. Not in a car. If you're going to make a turn, look where you are going before changing your course. That said, Speedy McClosePass mentioned in the OP is still a moron. But turning your head to look where you are going is basic Moron Defense. |
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