Passing other cyclists on roads/paths
 

I was reading another thread about a gentlemen who got in a partial shouting match when he accidentally swerved a little to close to someone passing on the left. Similarly, on my last large century ride, I passed a family riding leisurely, I looked back, took the traffic lane and passed quickly with ~5' of lateral space between their line and me. At the light, the father proceeded to berate me profusely for not saying "on your left".

It got me thinking about my technique while passing other riders.

What's the best technique for passing other riders? On trails, on a MTB, I can usually downshift and brake a little, the noise will tip off pedestrians. The usual trail I ride is full of families, dogs, and small children.

Everytime I've tried saying something like "On your left!" the person looks left and promptly veers directly into my path. That led me into avoiding saying anything other than a polite "hello" when I could path at a safe spacing.

Is the only solution a bell?

say on your left from further back. Gives them time to react and you time to react to the reaction. I also use a bell that can be rung soft to loud. I give a measured ding when moving well faster than who I am passing.

how about slow down a bit when passing.

it's a multi use path after-all.

This would work. :thumb:

Record Your Own Bicycle Bell | GeekAlerts

I do slow down on the MUP paths. The road where I got berated, I took the lane on a road with a 45 mph speed limit to pass. Its more a concern when passing cyclists on roads while commuting. You find a lot of people commuting at 5-6mph and I'd really rather be at 15-18mph.

Yeah, it would be nice if the people you were passing weren't zoning-out with their headphones and could actually hear that you are "on their left."

S

I try and judge the people I am passing. If I see a "real" cyclist I might not say anything. If I see cables leading to their ears, I don't bother. If I see someone looking a little unsure of themselves, I try and announce a polite, and not too loud, on your left. I always say thank you to those people.

i used to say passing on left and then realised people veer left. now i either say nothing and speed up to nip past quickly or say "stay right".

+1

If passing folks on a MUP I give plenty of warning so they can figure out what they are going to do and the say thanks as I pass by.

i did some slalem drafting on the mup once. dodging the dogs was the most thrilling.

Yup...wearing headphones is quite unsafe...The other thing that gets me is on the nicest of days, lots of people outside, they're all heads-down on some mobile device completely oblivious of their surroundings...then they get all blustery when startled.

Sometimes it's amusing to silently zoom past people and startle them. Teaches them to be aware of their surroundings.

If you're going slow enough for people to berate you, you're going too slow.

speed is not the main cause of mup crashes. i once did a near 0mph clipless fall right on top of a toddler on a tricycle.

If anything that's a foolish notion and you're most likely woefully overestimating your ability to outmaneuver a sudden and unpredictable movement.

Then again many cyclists ride as bad as they drive.

Tell him he's on an open road with other bikes and cars and if he doesn't have sufficient skill to handle being passed, he should stay home. Don't encourage people who believe the world must accommodate them rather then learn how to live with others.

What I've found with announcing "on your left" to non-cyclists is that they tend to move to their left, it's like they are thinking I am telling them to move over to their left.

"stay right" . try that.

+1

I hate those who pass too close. Even worse if they don't give a warning. A call of "excuse me", "on your right" (UK) doesn't take much effort, but it seems some wanabees are so on the limit they can't even manage a "good morning". If I'm cruising and someone does that I make the point of chasing them down, passing (safely) and saying good morning. That normally cools their heels.

I look at it like skiing. If you are approaching a slower person, it's up to you to be safe. Give loads of room, so even a swerve won't risk an accident. There are some guys riding bikes now who ride like some drivers drive - no thought for anyone else. They tend to be the guys in full race kit riding a terribly slow cadence (cos top gear is where you have to get to) with a seatpost just an inch or so too low :)

I agree. That's why I try and judge who I am passing. If they look unsure on themselves I make sure it's in enough time to give me a chance to react.

I commute to work a couple of days a week in the summer and I use a MUP for about 10 miles. These people really take the work multi seriously.

Loud hubs work better than anything I've ever said. Wish my new hub was louder.

You're most likely overestimating your ability to determine someone's riding style based on one post.

I'm not the one endorsing idiot maneuvers.

On the road i try and pass as stealth as possible. On a path I make loud strange farm animal noises well in advance of the pass.

it isn't an idiot maneuver to get past someone quickly and decisively.

Going out of your way to startle people is.