Why don't some cyclists signal that they're about to pass? I frequently ride a well-known, multi-use trail in the DC area, recreationally and now as a commuter (awesome-I don't know why I didn't do it sooner) and am always stunned by how many "professional looking" cyclists zip past me without any kind of warning. Yesterday, on my trip home, a guy passed by me on the right side (left is much more typical) just as I was about to make a right turn in an intersection. He didn't signal and showed absolutely no response (typical) at all when I yelled at him. I almost turned into him but luckily responded quickly enough to miss him by a few inches. Had I not reacted so quickly we would have both wrecked out in the intersection during a busy rush hour. A simple "on your right", or preferrably "on your left" would have prevented what would have caused a near-certain accident. In addition, I always signal my intention to pass to everyone. My questions are: why do many experienced riders not signal when in a multi-user environment and, what is the appropriate response?

I think cyclists should signal, but like any other vehicles, they should signal silently. IOW, a cyclist should extend his or her arm to tell that he is passing. Cyclists should also only pass on the left (except in U.K., Australia and other left-driving countries) and not close to intersections.

As for the cyclist being passed, it is his responsability to look behind and check traffic before moving left or right.

A cyclist has no more reason to "call" a pass than a car driver. That's why rules of the road and turn signals (hand or electrical) were invented.


Regards,

I do look behind me anytime I pass or turn, luckily I saw this guy at the last second-he just came up on me so fast. Also, in the state of Virginia, one is legally required to give an audible alert-call out, ring a bell something. My point is; why wouldn't one signal a pass when it is so simple and potentially save both parties from injury?

Someone yelling at me when I am in traffic causes me to jump usually and so I don't appreciate vocal signals. I completely agree with mgagnonlv on this one. Just pass me and get it overwith ( on the left of course, if you pass on the right you deserve all those terrible comments the cars shout at you).

Here is a big difference between cars and bikes. Cars move into another lane when passing (OK, maybe not here in Miami) and bikes pass very closely and in the same lane. That means that if the person in front is not aware that you are coming up behind them, they could easily push you out into traffic simply by a mild swerve (missing a peice a debris, or just zoning out). Also if you check you drivers handbook, if the driver in front is unaware of you passing, you are required to give a quick sound of the horn.

I have rarely seen anyone that knows that I am there until I call out. I could have a 4x8 peice of plywood heald up over my head and they still would not see me. C'mon, how much time do you spend looking behind you when on a serious ride? The guys I pass certainly are not looking behind them.

I have also noticed that when a person catches you with their peripheral vision, without prior notice, they tend to swerve toward you, not away, pushing you into traffic.

As a matter of fact. The last time I did not call out, I had a collision. I was drafting with a guy for about six miles, we were taking turns pulling about every mile. It was my turn. He knew I was there. I started coming around just as he decided he had had enough and made a hard left. We bounced off of each other twice and thankfully no one went down.

So, for your safety and mine, I will be calling out.

I generally call out, it's just a much safter practice as Avalanche said. The last time I passed without calling was definitely my last. When I was passing the guy, he swerved to the right to miss a peice of road debris and i was barely able to get by him. Sure, it wasn't a crash or anything, but it was an eye-opener and from now on I'm a shouter, whatever people say.

My girlfriend and I were out puttering around on the local rail-trail when some roadie blows by without so much as an "on your left" I shout out to the guy "An 'On Your Left' would be nice!" to which he replied something unintelligable and probably un reprintable to boot. Now I'm not one to back down from anybody when I'm insulted much less when someone could potentially cause harm to either me or my girlfriend so I upped my cadence a bit (didn't even have to put it in the big ring I was so ticked) caught up to the guy, and asked him quite politely and quite calmly (not even breathing hard) "I'm sorry I didn't quite hear you what did you say?" He replied "Ummm Ummm I had plenty of room!" To which I said, "No you really didn't. I suggest next time warn people when you're going to pass OK?" "Gotcha OK" and with that I slowed down and waited for my girlfriend to catch back up. Moral of the story: Warn people when you're going to pass and don't smart off to people who call you on it when you don't -- You never know who's going to be able to catch up with you and ask you to repeat yourself. I wasn't going to hurt the guy but I did want to adjust his 'tude a bit

I get aggravated at people who do not call "on your left". Also, when I pass a child or young person on a bike, I try to say thank you to them, and let them know that it is good manners to move over when someone is passing. - Ted

I think I ride this same trail everyday at lunch, and will be using it to commute this summer. I have run into the same problem, but it was an issue three years ago when I was inline skating on the trail too.

People should signal, it doesn't take a lot of energy to do so. I consider it a sad state of affairs when I get thanked profusely for saying "on your left"

Well Chica I thank you for showing common courtesy to your fellow cyclists.