Pervy old guys in lycra, yeah, I'm sure that's a conversation most young women want to have....

They are a hazard and do pose danger, to themselves and others. There are clear demarkations in the bike lane showing an arrow going in the opposite direction for them and you can see traffic not going in their direction. If they cannot understand a simple and basic road marker they shouldn't be on the road. I already have to play some dodgem with selfish people in cars I shouldn't need to do it with selfish people on bikes. You have an entire bike lane for your direction of traffic with the same set up as the side I am riding on there is simply no need to be on my small little sliver of bike lane that I still have to sometimes deal with cars in (usually buses but some people do use it to just sit in their car or drop off packages when they have two other cars lanes.

dodging bikes is super easy. In big European cities where biking is really common, intersections have bikes coming at each other from all directions. Same in some of the disorganized densely populated cities in poorer countries, but those are motorbikes

The ones that REALLY bother me are the ones who ride on the wrong side when there's NO bike lane.

I trust you realise that if I made such assumptions, I'd never have written my OP in the first place

You did. Right here.

you characterize it as an example of an "innocent interaction." But in doing so you privileged your perspective as truth. That you don't see that is my point

Why did you start the thread? It seems like this was a total non-incident.

My truth, as they say, is that it was innocent. As it happens, it was also the truth. But of course, the entire point of the OP was respecting the perceptions of the women in question.

Not-so-incidentally, this belongs in everyone's library:

https://iili.io/JGq68tn.png
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

"Hypersensitivity". Feh. It's not being "hypersensitive" to not want to upset others unnecessarily. That's simple politeness.

I don't go riding to interact with other people. I ride to NOT interact with other people, and I assume that others out riding or running alone feel similarly. If somebody is standing on the shoulder looking at their bike in obvious confusion or frustration, I'll slow down and ask if they're okay as I pass. I don't stop unsolicited, because I wouldn't want anyone to stop near me unsolicited, either. Now, mind you, I did make an exception the time I saw "Larry" riding in Woodside that one time. But he's made clear on here that he likes to interact with other riders, so I figured it would be okay.

Generally I try not to draft anyone - if I'm behind someone I don't plan to pass I'll generally try to keep back and off to the side a bit, so it's clear I'm not drafting them. With women, I'll hang back even farther, and generally I'm more likely to accelerate a bit to pass them so they don't have to worry about that old fat guy behind them for long.

I ride for various reasons, including to exercise being a social animal: https://www.notanothercyclingforum.n...18606#msg18606 (that's my blog).

YMMV.

If my genuinely innocent greeting or comment is taken any other way, that's not my issue.

Normally I'll saying passing or on your left before I pass somebody on foot. BUT around here there are a number of joggers who insist on jogging in the bike lanes instead of on the sidewalks. For those joggers I will just buzz right past them unannounced. If it startles them, then good. They need to stop jogging in the bike lanes.

In big European cities there is a lot more infrastructure and history in riding bicycles. In terms of intersections that is different than someone riding at you in a well marked bike lane on purpose. Having a lot of bicyclists generally following the rules but in large quantities isn't so bad.

Comparing any of this to densely populated city with motorbikes weaving in and out in places known for that is quite different as well. I am not saying any of what they do is good but in many of those places there isn't a clear demarkation for lanes and roads in a lot of situations or people aren't following it but kind of as a whole less so as a few individuals.

That's the same excuse many drivers use when they buzz cyclists on the road.

Also, having been a runner when I was in my 20s, I can tell you that walkers don't want you on sidewalks, AND asphalt is easier on the shins and knees than concrete. If I find myself getting annoyed at a runner in the bike lane, I remind myself of that and let it go. Generally, they're running against traffic, as the law specifies, so as we approach, I make it clear which side I'll pass them on and give them a wide berth and a nod in passing.

I could tell some stories.

regardless of gender, if they’re under 70yrs old, I only wave.

I only say something if they say something first or if I’m passing and it’s a simple “GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON! I’m coming up on your left!”

My wife has stated on numerous occasions that whether she is riding her bike on the road or walking the dog on the trail, she becomes very uncomfortable when a male is closing in on her, or if on a bike, hanging back behind her. She also carries pepper spray, so you’ve been warned. :)

As a result, I give women a wide berth and if I am slowly overtaking one on a bike, I will make an effort to get around her quickly and not engage in any greeting unless they do first.

Interesting discussion of an unfamiliar experience. Usually, I'm the one being passed by pretty much everything but roadkill, including, on the C&O by a young woman with only one leg.

I never assume. I know a guy with one leg who can fly on a bike. He also plays hackysack. Used to see him at happy hour until he moved out of the area.

"Her name is Eilene, but she goes by Peg"...

Time for an e-bike? ;)

Had my doors blown off today by some 30 something during my ride. Maybe I should get one too!

My point is that dodging an oncoming cyclist is easy enough that it shouldn't bother you, even if you think the person is clueless or on drugs etc. I also used to get pissed at cyclists using the wrong lane. Funny enough, my partner at work asked why cyclists didn't usually go the wrong way in traffic, so they could see the oncoming cars.

No cyclist has ever "had their doors blown off" by an electric bike. I'm okay with E-bikes (more bike lane users = more motorist awareness of us), but we're not in competition with them. That's like saying you've been beaten by a motorcycle. I used to feel frustrated by the kids with both hands and both eyes on their phones while E-assist biking at ~25mph, but Darwin'll eventually take care of them.