jmX

Hey all, just started riding for the first time (haven't had a bike for nearly 20 years) and I've been enjoying the SART quite a bit this past week. I have some questions about etiquette of the path, or other similar trail situations.

1) Do I really need to call out "on your left" for everybody I pass? When I'm really peddling I'm concentrating on breathing and pushing, and having to yell out at people would get old and probably affect my pace if I needed to do it for everybody passed.

2) When somebody on a road bike is slowly passing me, do I need to slow and let them pass? It took some guys nearly 90 seconds to pass me the other day, and while nobody was on incoming lanes, I wasnt sure if I was supposed to slow down for them. I ended up overtaking them just a few miles further along, but made sure to pass them quickly so we didnt have another 1-2 minute side by side ride. Aren't you supposed to 'burst' past people, or do road bike guys try to keep a steady pace no matter what?

3) Headphones...I see everybody doing it from road bike dudes in full get-up to teens on cruisers. What is the consensus on this?

darkadious

you don't have to yell out "on your left" as long as you give them a good amount of room. make sure you pay attention to how they ride before passing them to avoid them randomly swerving directly into you. calling "on your left" usually confuses a lot of people and all they hear is "left".

if there's no one in the oncoming lane and someone is trying to pass me i don't see a reason to move or slow down.

CarynLea

Most people on bike paths believe themselves to be the sole owners and rightful occupants of the bike path. They will weave all over as they ride, execute sudden 180 degree turns or dump all their bikes in the middle of the path when ever they wish. Calling "On your left" always causes them to suddenly swerve left so it's best to say nothing. I slow down a tad, cover my brakes and give them as wide a berth as possible, once past I drop the hammer and get back to warp speed.

GP 

Calling "on your left" can cause some people to look back at the voice and swerve toward you.

I don't slow down when people pass me but usually I can't hear them anyways with the ipod blasting in my ears.

Safe cycling is like safe driving. Be aware, be predictable, don't be an jerk, etc and you'll be fine.

RVD72

I don't usually yell out "on your left" unless it looks like they will understand what i'm saying (e.g. other roadies but not to the beach cruiser guys) and it looks like there's a chance they made decided to encroach (2 people riding and the guy behind might decided to come into my lane to speed up to his friend the same moment i pass).

spooner

I have a cheap bell on my bike. When I see someone on the path I ring it 1x when I'm in earshot. I give another ring when I'm ready to pass. Its never been an issue.

When I'm trying to get some real riding in I ride on the road. That way I totally avoid the dog walkers, the walkers, the cell phone walk and talkers, the kids on their Treks, the....

CbadRider

Instead of "on your left" I call out "coming up behind you" or "passing". I do this about 15-20 feet behind the person. This gives them enough time to react and move one way or the other.

wesleytf

I've got a little bell on my bike, unmistakable as a bike bell--never had a biker turn and swerve when I ring it, but people seem to give me space.

clintdavis

1. Rode on the river paths more times than I can count. And yelling out "ON YOUR LEFT" is definitely good and expected etiquette. Just yell out
Sacrificing a few breathes and your pace is not a good excuse.
This is a public path, not the Tour de France.

2. I usually try to pass fast, but mainly so I can discourage the other rider JK.

3. If you're sporting headphones, just use your eyes more. Which basically only means to look behind before passing.

Pamestique 

I am just gonna post my little rant and you all can ignore me... I have been riding for about 40 years. Fairly seriously at times. Have done alot of club riding in the day.

I've notice, unfortunately, alot of folks out there no longer call out anything (which apparently is most of you!). I will be riding along and "whoose" some doosh comes flying me within a sound. Just imagine what would happen if I did something silly like move off my line furtehr into the bike lane. We would both go down.

That said... learn to call out even if people aren't around or can hear you (yes even if people are wearing iPods as most do now adays). Get into the habit of calling out hazards (hole! glass! rider up!) as well. You never know who can be following you. It's just polite, common courtesy which apparently everyone has forgotten. And oh yeah, pedestrians have the right of way on multi-use trails (horses first, hikers/pedestrians then cyclists) so always past with caution and notice giving the leeway to the walker.

Oh yeah - iPod, headphones are against the law if riding a bike on the street or bike trail. Dirt trails I guess are OK but frankly I don't understand why people do this. I want to hear the sounds out in nature and I especially want to hear if a car or other rider is coming up on me. I would never wear them - again - get off my lawn!

OK off the soapbox... go about your business and stay off my lawn!

Mr. Beanz

WHY I OUGGHTA!...Actually I must agree with you. I have a bell and use verbal warnings depending on the situation. 99.9% of the time, I give a courtesy warning but as far as the others? Heck, 90% of the ridrs that pass me don't say a thing.

It's really no biggie to me but the dopes that buzz me for no reason are a different story! If I see a rider coming up, I'll move gently to the right as I usually take the center since Gina and others are usually on my wheel. No warning but the BUZZ?

Most of them seem think they're Lance and are too fast to change their line for a safe pass.

The other thing is riders overestimating their speed, I guess. A small group rolls by then the last of 3 riders passes me then swipes hard to the right nearly taking out my front wheel. C'mon, make sure you're completley around before doing stupid moves like that! Maybe they aren't as fast as you think you are! Funny thing is that if you were to see these guys post in the forums, they'de say us recreational cyclsits don't know how to ride safely!

herbm

Rule #1 on the bike path....

Dont get between Mr and Mrs Beanz!!!!

Nuff said!

Mr. Beanz

..................if you do, you'll hear bells alright! ..

Irvent

Rules and regulations are posted on the path, I believe. If you don't want to follow that, be cautious.

1) I usually don't yell or anything, but I pay attention to people's behaviors. If they are all over the path I pay attention to when they favor a certain side and will quickly take the other as they move away from it, usually accompanied by a "loud" sound (call out, hello, passing left, loud forced cough, etc) of some sort before being in side-sweeping range (as some people like to move to where the sound came from when they look, also something to watch out for).

2) Never had someone "slowly" pass me, at least not taking 90 seconds. Usually they zoom by or I subconsciously slow a bit as they past as I don't personally like feeling stuck between people or people and the edge of the path. But I don't think you "have" to do anything.

3) Only trail I've been on (not the SART but similar in Irvine) said headphones was against the law in both ears, legal in one. I usually use one ear (right since people pass left) and have the volume turned down so I can hear people approaching. This has been the safest for me and has kept me from being both bored while riding and surprised when someone passed.

There are few things you have to do legally on the path, but even those that you do, are for the safety of all. So when wondering what you "have" to do or even should do, hopefully you'll err on the side of caution and just do whatever you feel is the safest.

It's all about safety.

semaj

I'm one of those riders that rarely says a word when passing on the SART. I found that by calling out, "I'm on your left!" causes more confusion then proper action so I just pass on their left silently. Sometimes it's when I'm in the middle of an interval or when I'm just riding steady. I believe it should be a given that riders know how to hold their line when riding on a MUP and should be attentive to potential overtaking riders at all times and to possible road hazards. For example, I always check my six when deviating from my line and I always scan the road ahead for potential hazards. Riders passing others at 30 mph or at 12 mph should hold zero influence in how those being passed should handle their bikes. I apologize if this offends some but after riding the trail almost exclusively 3-5 days a week I find this method works best.

wcoastbikr

+1

I pass when it's safe. If it's someone that looks like they know what "on your left" means I'll usually let them know out of courtesy and say thank you when I pass. I've had too many cases letting people know I'm on their left and just end up confusing them and make them swerve more to look at me.

Probably the only other time I'll say "passing on your left" is if there's more than one rider (usually cruisers) across the entire path and blocking. Because everyone else on the path is clearly going 5mph...

I really dislike most paths around here. Even if they're clearly designated as bikes only, they're really more of MUP's with runners, walkers, skateboarders, strollers, etc...I usually stick to the streets.

toobspunk

My friend called out "on your left" on SART. Ended up with a not too intelligent girl jumping into his line and snapping his carbon fork.

Mr. Beanz

One thing I can say is that there is too much inconsideration on the trail. Today was crowded as everyone headed to the beach to cool off. The worst riders were the group/club riders. Blocking the entire trail (20+ riders), riding 5 abreast around blind turns, stopping in the middle of the trail (10+) groups.

It's not just the MTB's and beachcruisers that are dangerous and clueless!

Rip Van Winkle

Is this thread for real?


Say "on your left." It's simple courtesy and manners. You can say it in a way that's not offensive and confusing. If you think the people might get confused, say "I'm on your left" or "passing on your left." No need to shout it at the top of your lungs, just say it gently as you're passing. I've been doing it for 30 years and never had a problem.

Maintain your speed and line of travel when being passed. No need to speed up or slow down.

Leave the headphones at home. They're against the law for a reason.

I've been riding for 30 years, did my first double century in 1983, and ride the Ballona Creek and Beach Bike Paths nearly every day.

Polar Foil

1. I almost never say "on your left" or anything similar. If there's room to pass and it looks like the passee will hold their line, I'll pass without a word. If there's a bunch of people blocking the whole path, I usually shift from the big ring to the small ring which makes a loud noise and they look back, otherwise I say "excuse me." Every time I've tried "on your left" it just made things worse. Check this out (from https://featuresblogs.chicagotribune....m-passing.html):

"'I never warn anybody when I pass them, because that gives them enough warning to jump out in front and get nailed,' he wrote '(People) hear 'on your left!' and then move to their left! Better just to slip by and be out of the way before they know it."

"He has a point; by the time you hear an 'on your left' it's too late to really do anything. I've seen plenty of startled riders swerve in the wrong direction. And the announcement often sounds rude, like 'get out of my way!'"

2. Pass at whatever speed you want. If you're passing or being passed slowly, say hello.

3. No headphones, it's just too dangerous. Runners/walkers are about the only people who can get away with wearing them because they're only going about 7-8mph tops but even they shouldn't because they need to be aware of what's coming up behind them too so they don't come to a dead stop right in front of a rollerblader or cyclist or whatever.

CbadRider

I generally hold my line unless there is glass or debris in the road. I've almost crashed a few times when I swerved to avoid debris, only to almost plow into a stealth rider who was passing me without any notification.

John R

I like to get out my Glock 9 mm and fire a few warning shots. That usually makes people get out of my way!!

So Many Roads

Yeah! Just ask yourself, What would the Nuge do?

jmX

Headphones are illegal on bike paths? Really? I'm not talking about public roads with bike lanes here.

Pamestique 

Yes they are. A bicycle is considered a "vehicle" and subject to the same laws as motor vehicles. If you did not know that check out the CA vehicle Code through the DMV.

Bike trails (just as the San Diego Creek trail, Mountain to Sea or Irvine Regional Trail) ARE public roads or at least trails and they are many rules and regulations that govern use. Again if you check city ordinances, use of bike trails are generally posted. Right of way always goes to a pedestrian over a cyclist. Keep that in mind. If you don't like it, always ride on the street. Personally I like using a bike trail, keeping myself away from cars but I know, a walker, jogger etc has all rights over me. If I pass, I need to make sure 1) it's safe and 2) the walker, jogger is aware.

Something many of you may not be aware of but most club riders know... it may be OK for you to pass without saying a word, but its not OK for the walker/jogger. They complain. They complain alot! I don't think there is one major club in OC that has not be contacted by some City (Irvine especially) about complaints. I guess if you plan on being rude, and not calling out, don't wear a club kit and get your club in trouble!!!

Personally I have seen riders, two abreast, buzz right pass a woman with a stroller or parents with small kids. Several years ago an elderly woman was killed (it was an accident though) when two riders came up on her fast as she entered the multi-use trail. If they had called out she made have waited before entering.

Remember, we call it a bike trail but it is really a multi-use trail. You can run across horses, walkers, joggers, skaters and other riders, recreational and serious. A trail is the least efficient way to get from point A to B and one should alway ride with caution. I think with people and calling out, they so seldom hear it anymore, it startles them. Let's get them back in the habit of hearing us riders coming up.

And riders, no excuse not to call out to other riders. Just yesterday I almost nailed some one when I moved to my left and didn't know someone was passing. He almost flew off into a ditch. What a dork for not calling out!

And dirt riders... some thing. Call out! And remember its horses first (always always stop and allow the equestrian to wave you by), hikers and then riders who have the right of way and its uphill riders not downhill who have the right. If you are blasting downhill, it's your duty to pull over and alloow the uphill rider to pass first.

Again - GET OFF MY LAWN! and stay safe out there!