Riding Etiquette
 

I'm super new to cycling - just got my first road bike and only logged 50 miles so far.

Is there any biking etiquette I should now about? I've noticed that people passing me say "on your left" - for reasons that are obvious.
Are there other "unspoken rules" I should know about so I don't piss any one off?

I have started yelling "Stopping" when I slow down or stop.

^^ Why ? You can signal slowing to other riders with a simple left arm down, palm facing back.


If you are riding with others behind you, it's nice to point out potholes or other dangerous stuff. But don't point at every stick & pebble.

Don't draft without asking.
Also these:
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

I only get pissed off at dangerous behavior. So don't ride against traffic ("salmon"), don't ride in black clothes with no lights at night ("bike ninja"), don't swerve your bike all over the road around other users ("squirrel"), don't sit on anyone's wheel without at least announcing your presence ("wheel sucking jerk").

I'm sure there are others that everyone else can add.

If you are passing on the road do you really need to announce that? I passed a guy at a pretty decent pace faster then him on a road with hardly any traffic at all. I was all the way by the yellow he was on the median. He mumbled something at me but I was like what the heck there is ten feet between us

i for sure would say passing if I felt the situation was right but I did not feel it was needed here

Don't wave at anyone, ever, for any reason!

Spoken as a real cyclist.

Popcorn, don't forget to bring enough for everyone to share

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

You shouldn't have riders behind you saying "on your left". You need to ride faster so that you're the one saying "on your left".

Practice common courtesy in the groups that you ride with an ask them when in doubt. The 41 is waaay to diverse (with each and everyone being an expert) and what is right for some will not be right for others.

and yup, definitely popcorn...bring plenty :popcorn:

Compliment them: Their bike, clothes, looks, make-up, etc.

Just have fun and don't be an ass.

I wish some cyclists would say On Your Left/Right when coming up behind me.

Twice today they have passed me very close and if I had moved over at all there would have been a collision.

Why do they take the chance the rider in front doesnt have any intention of moving over left or right at the instant they are passing.

One day...

unless everyone in the paceline signals, you can't see this. you can hear "slowing, stopping"...

Don't do anything quickly. Don't jam on your brakes quickly. Don't swerve quickly. Smooth takes priority over just about everything else. If that means flatting a tire on a bad pothole you didn't see, then you flat your tire rather than swerving and sweeping the front wheel of the guy behind.

I only say "On ur Lft" and if the riders I'm with are really good......they are saying it to me.

I should clarify that this is in a group ride situation. If you are on your own, do what you want, though it's good to get in the habit of being smooth in any case.

some riders get confused by the "on your left" I'd much rather say "hello" or "good morning" or "good evening" or "nice ass"

Why? You're on an open road with traffic (cars and bikes). You should expect that some will pass you, and you will pass others. Why not learn the skills to handle passing and being passed without any special warning rather than rely on others to accommodate you?

When you're driving, do you expect every car that passes in the fast lane to honk, flash its lights, or signal in some way that they're going by? Do you do this whenever you pass?

Don't forget to bring pie.

Under no circumstance ask what the 41 is or wave at another cyclist.

When approaching solo riders from behind, give them some warning in advance. Had a guy come right up on me close and then give a LOUD "on your left" just as he got my back wheel. I held my line but it was disconcerting, as I was about to move to my left for an upcoming intersection.

You've now proven that you have more common sense then everyone who has started a thread asking what that means. Cycling may not be right for you.

I want to know how many people have actually crashed as a result of saying "On your left"........