"On your left" - What does this mean to you?

[sspoor]

I'd love some feedback from you wise ladies before I do my organized cycling rally tomorrow morning. I'm referring to the charity rides that are so popular in the summertime.

Last weekend I was participating in one of these rides. In Texas it's often necessary for the rides to utilize two lane undivided roads with some car traffic in order to get riders out of town and into the country. Unfortunately, this is usually going on while riders are still fairly bunched up and slower riders are mixed in with faster riders.

I was climbing a hill early in the ride, passing riders as I went and announcing "passing on your left" as I approached them. Then I came up behind two men who were riding next to each other with one hugging the center road line. They were chatting away and not moving very fast. I saw this well in advance and hollered "on your left." Neither man reacted in the least. I continued to approach them from behind and tried another call out. Again, no reaction. The only way for me to pass these guys was to swing WAY out into the lane of oncoming car traffic (with a blind hill ahead). I didn't have the option of splitting them or passing on the right because they were not holding their lines. I finally swung out and passed as quickly as I could on the left. As I'm passing, the guy who wouldn't give way sped up as if to block my ability to pull back in to the line of bike riders. My acceleration was stronger than his and I got around. I'm sure I was muttering under my breath when I passed him but I don't think I said anything inflammatory.

Later in the ride, we were on a country road with almost no chance of encountering car traffic. I approached behind the same two guys and pulled way out to the left to pass them again. This time the guy intentionally moved into my passing lane in order to push me over as far as possible without actually running me off the road. Again I just blew by him, but I couldn't believe he'd do something so blatant.

So, after that long story, my question is this. Is it reasonable to expect riders to move over and give you a safe passing lane on the left when you give them fair warning and there is room for them to move over? I thought this was basic cycling ettiquette but I'm open to the opinions of others.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you all think. Oh, and yes, I do know that his behavior is actually illegal in the state of Texas. Cyclists on a two lane road and supposed to ride single file as far to the right as possible.

Thanks guys!

Susan in Dallas

[HappyTexasMom]

I usually ride as far to the right as is reasonably possible, anyway, so if I hear it, to me it means "I'm coming up on your left, now is not a time to veer over or decide to make a sudden left turn". If I were riding two abreast, I would switch to single file, or closer together, whatever I thought made the most sense in the situation.

The fact that that person would speed up is petty and rude. The fact that he would actually move over and actively block you is even worse. I'm appalled that someone would act like this.

[Biciclista]

of course it is reasonable to expect people to give you room .
but he didn't. SO you too would be breaking the law crossing the yellow line to pass him. At that point, if it were me, I probably would pass them on the right (announcing it) to get around them.

[denda]

"On your left" to me means someone is passing on your left. I will either move to the right a little or hold my line.

[sarahspins]

I've had two "on your left" incidents that left me pretty convinced that inexperienced cyclists (and walkers!!) don't know what it means.

Case 1: Country road with center lane marking, couple is out cycling.. they were riding one behind the other on the right side of the road, until the rear cyclist glanced back and saw I was approaching (I was about 100 yards back). Instead of staying where he was, I presume that he moved up along side his partner to let her know I was coming up... however he did NOT move back... they rode two abreast as I approached and didn't make any sign of moving. I shouted out "on your left" when I was about 20 feet back (I was going quite a bit faster than they were, so that should have been just enough time for them to react stupidly and correct) and the guy MOVED LEFT, essentially blocking me from passing without going over the yellow line... WTH?! Now, since there was obviously no oncoming traffic, I did just cross that yellow line and pass on the left.. and I looked back and Mr Stupid had moved over to the right again. I'm not sure what he was trying to do - make me pass inbetween them? (there was enough room, technically, but both he and his partner were somewhat wobbly looking riders, so I felt it better not to take a chance with that one).

Case 2: Hike and bike trail at the park. Path is about 6' wide, paved. Couple is walking hand in hand taking up most of the path.. I slowed down a bit, said "on your left" as I approached, and the man stopped in his tracks, and stayed where he was (left side of the path) the lady also stopped, but turned around, put both arms out (???) essentially blocking the whole path and I ended up off the path and off my bike (not a fall exactly, but no traction in gravel I pretty much skid to a sideways stop and hopped off). She apologized profusely, but it still left me thinking that people just don't have a clue what proper passing entails... it's not like I expected them to hightail it out of my way (just moving over a bit to the right would have given me more than enough room to pass safely), but to STOP and effectively block my way completely? Uh, no....

I certainly know to move to the right when I hear "on your left" and NOT to look back or swerve, or stop, or do anything equally LAME... it's not hard?

[tongue_tied]

I thought "on your left" meant that you should move over and expect for me to pass you, but some people that I've talked to say it's just an announcement that you would be passing on the left and it doesn't necessarily mean that they should be moving out of your way. In Chicago, it seems as if people will intentionally ignore your "on the left", whatever it means. At any rate, if someone says "on your left" to me, I get outta the way.

[e.e.cummings]

There are some people who just don't like be passed and they get competitive when it happens (guys more than girls?). It is like when you are driving, behind someone slow and as soon as you try to pass, they speed up or make it difficult for you. I guess these people are everywhere.

On our bike path (or most places I imagine), the etiquette is if you hear someone coming up from behind, keep to your right if you think they want to pass. People are not supposed to right two by two, but some do anyway. They will normally go single file when they hear someone coming, but some die-hards just will not give it up.

Sounds like you have a couple of die-hards (or blow-hards!) on your hands. It's annoying, isn't it! Don't let them spoil your ride. I have run it a few of these. I keep smiling, am courteous, if my initial warning (bell ring or comment) is ignored, I state loudly 'hello, can I get around you please' when other efforts fail - I think they realize they are going look like real jerks if they don't let me pass since I am being pretty civilized about it.

[Biciclista]

Sounds like you have a couple of die-hards (or blow-hards!) on your hands. It's annoying, isn't it! Don't let them spoil your ride. I have run it a few of these. I keep smiling, am courteous, if my initial warning (bell ring or comment) is ignored, I state loudly 'hello, can I get around you please' when other efforts fail - I think they realize they are going look like real jerks if they don't let me pass since I am being pretty civilized about it.

+++++

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I fitness walk as well as cycle.
Whenever I'm walking and I hear a cyclist coming up behind me and calling out "On your left!"- all I usually hear is "(mumble mumble) LEFT!!" And I have very good hearing. I never had a clue what "On your left" meant until I started cycling. To me it's no wonder at all that pedestrians and walkers tend to obediently jump left when they hear "(mumble mumble) LEFT!" :cool:

I myself prefer to call out loudly and cheerfully ahead of time "Coming up behind you!" or just even "Good Morning!"- and I ring my bike bell too. The people ahead, no matter what their method of locomotion, always then look back at me and can see I'm approaching on their left side to pass. It's always good not to startle elderly walkers, too. What peeves me is the people with their earbuds in who don't hear a THING no matter how loudly I call out as I'm approaching. They get scared and jump as I pass them. Oh well.

[MM_QFC!]

When I hear 'passing on your left' or the like, and I'm riding as far to the right side of the road as is safe for me, I do not change position at all. I will not ride into glass or hazardous gutter situations, as it's the responsibility of the passing cyclist to not only call out their presence and intentions, but to also check the road conditions (meaning traffic in both directions, any obstacles up ahead, etc) to ensure that they can safely pass the cyclist ahead AND move back into the cycling lane without cutting off the cyclist they just passed.
When I first started road riding, I was lucky enough to ride with, listen to and learn from generous teachers/mentors who were learned veterans of ultra-marathon cycling events, including RAAM riders, women's TdF, national downhill champion...I still hear their advice when I ride!
I learned that the rider who wants to pass bears all of the responsibility and they should not expect that riders in front will get off the road, move over into unsafe conditions, slow down or anything else in order to assist them in passing. When I rode in my first organized century however, I did experience lots of faster riders and pacelines wanting to just ride in the middle of the traffic lane pretty much all of the time, blowing past any/all on their right whether or not there were cars back and yelling 'on your left' insistently at me, so that I felt intimidated. After these situations I asked more experienced riders and cycling coaches too; everyone essentially said the same thing: if you're riding as far to the right as is safe for you and holding a steady line, you do not have to do anything differently and consider the call of "on your left" to be an alert so that you do not pull out into the lane in order to pass anyone yourself, until it's clear.
Most of the states that I've done rides in stipulate single file on roadways, but I see otherwise all of the time. It's pretty dang hard to get past them when you've got 2 roadhogs ahead of you, as you had and I probably would've called out 'on your left' a couple of times, then snuggled up behind them and called out a polite request to allow me to please pass them safely. It sounds like, from your account, that they were fully aware of your presence though and it's outrageous that they'd create a situation where you felt as though you had to go on the other side of the road and on a blind hill - yikes! - in order to get around them. Some people have no brains and no heart and it seems as though you encountered the cycling idiot jackpot there!
Tailwinds!
Mary

[HappyTexasMom]

I shouted out "on your left" when I was about 20 feet back (I was going quite a bit faster than they were, so that should have been just enough time for them to react stupidly and correct) and the guy MOVED LEFT, essentially blocking me from passing without going over the yellow line... WTH?! Now, since there was obviously no oncoming traffic, I did just cross that yellow line and pass on the left.. and I looked back and Mr Stupid had moved over to the right again.

You know, it just occurred to me...often times when I'm riding, all I really hear is "LEFT!". I know what they said/mean, but with the wind blowing in my ears (unless I've specifically turned my head to listen behind me), that's all I hear. If someone is inexperienced and not familiar with standard etiquette, it could be that they think you are telling them to move to the left (as in, a directive towards them: "LEFT!").

[Biciclista]

you encountered the cycling idiot jackpot there!

Mary

+++ lol

[Kalidurga]

It does sound as if what you were dealing with was just a jerk who didn't feel like being passed.

It's rare that I'm ever able to pass anyone on the road, so my experience with this is on multi-use trails. People, for whatever reason, are not always conscious of what's coming up behind them and will very often react with confusion when they hear any kind of noise behind them. You have to give them time to react and then respond. Similar to what Lisa does, I've found that calling out "Bicycle behind you!" in a loud voice when I am still fairly far behind gives them a chance to be startled, look around, and then decide where to go. I can then soft-pedal my way through on whichever side they concede, with a "hello" or "thank you" as I pass. Haven't had an incident since I began this practice.

As for doofii like that guy... I dunno, maybe a stick in his spokes as you go by? (I'm kidding, really! :D )

[five one]

This is one of the main reasons I rarely do organized rides anymore. I'm not very social when I ride anyway. I like to concentrate on what I'm doing on the bike (and what other riders are doing around me) and would rather chat at rest stops. Even on country roads with little car traffic. I think I must be in the minority though. Why do people need to be side by side talking ALL the time?

The older I get, the crankier I become. OMG! I'm turning into my father!

[MartianDestiny]

"On your left" IMO, means "please hold your line and speed so I may make a safe pass, thank you"

IF bikers happen to be side-by-side, riding erratically, or really hogging a lane that should otherwise accommodate two riders , then yes, I feel "On your left" takes on the added meaning of "Please single up or tighten up or move right for a moment so I can have room to pass you".

I was passed by a jerk last week that seemed to feel "On your left" meant "run your $4k carbon bike off the ledge and get the heck outta my way despite the fact that we're in a no passing zone and you are going the speed limit". Needless to say I didn't budge and the fool nearly ran headon into a kid while passing me in the wrong lane when it was unsafe to do so. Of course he then slowed down to 7 mph and made me pass him :rolleyes:

So, I don't think "on your left" means you have to give up your line, and certainly not immediately, but out of courtesy you should do so if needed as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. I expect that's what you thought it meant ;)

Edit: like others I'm more careful in my choice of words and timing with non-cyclists. I'll use things like "Bike Back", or "Passing, *pause, 1-1 thousand*, Left" (gives them time to digest passing before they hear left, at which point they've already started moving right). And I'll slow and give more warning if it's actually a situation where I need someone to yield space to me rather than just hold course since non-cyclists tend not to process/respond to "on your left" as quickly as cyclists do, even if they know what it means. I do have higher expectations of cyclists knowing my intentions, but I've learned to always expect the unexpected ;)

[witeowl]

What it means to me: Someone is going to pass me on my left, so don't move that way. It's OK if I stay where I am, or I can be nice and move to the right (if there's room).

The two guys should not have been riding abreast (well, let's be real, I'm not going to judge them for doing it), so one should have dropped back to let you pass safely (I am going to judge them for not doing that).

Machismo (whether by men or women) is an ugly thing.

What irks me is when there's a multi-use path and people are walking as far apart as they can, one on the right and one on the left. (There's a painted yellow dashed line in the middle, so it's clearly directional like a street.) I came up to a couple a while ago, slowed down, and yelled out, first, "Hi there," to see what they would do. They stopped and moved farther apart, so I continued, "Um, passing, um, in between, I guess."

They probably still don't know what I said or what they should have been doing, but that's the price you pay for a nice multi-use path. I'm just glad it doesn't have a speed limit!

[Righteousbabe]

To me "on your left" is said 1) as a courtesy to let a rider or pedestrian know someone is coming around them so as to avoid collision; and 2) to (hopefully) gain clearance if the road/path is blocked by a cyclist or pedestrian. If I hear "on your left", I get over if at all possible. If riding two abreast, I get over behind/in front of the other cyclist I am riding with. But there are a lot of people who just don't get it...or are too proud/egotistical to yield. I run across this all the time, especially with male cyclists.

Sounds like you and I do a lot of the same rides in the DFW area. If I happen to run across these two men at one of the rallies, and they do the same to me, I am not sure I will be able to restrain myself from saying something. Thanks for the heads up! ;)

[MM_QFC!]

I came up to a couple a while ago, slowed down, and yelled out, first, "Hi there," to see what they would do. They stopped and moved farther apart, so I continued, "Um, passing, um, in between, I guess."

They probably still don't know what I said or what they should have been doing, but that's the price you pay for a nice multi-use path. I'm just glad it doesn't have a speed limit!

Yep, I've done the same thing...talking and riding slowly between them, just like I do with any kids on bikes on a trail or roadside...heck, I can't assume that they'll know what "passing on your left" is, right?? So, I talk to them, saying, "I'm coming along over here on this side, please stay over there, good job, thanks a lot, that's a nice bike you have!" and the like...it even worked when I was in the final approach to the finish line of a 1-day double century; it was on a bridge with a separate bike trail/walkway and I was ready to be done with this ride! It was about 6:30-7PM on a Saturday and I noticed that the few riders ahead of me were slowing and getting backed-up...I initially thought that there was an accident and a cyclist was down, but as I got closer I saw that it was a family pretty much blocking the whole path. Parents had baby and toddler and were stopped and looking over the rail to the view and river below...2-3 other kids were on tricycle and bike w/training wheels wandering all over and blocking our progress across...As I approached, I called out to the kiddo on the trike as I tapped him to be unpredictable and a threat to my safety and the 2 adults who were present had their backs to all of us and weren't paying any attention. I yelled out: "could you please stop? good! yeah, right there, stop! I'm going to ride next to you now, please don't move, ok? Great job...thanks alot"...voila! - home free and safely off my bike and to the beer garden in Portland! :D:D

[smilingcat]

Two guys were just being j**ks. I've met quite a number of guys who do not liked to be passed by a woman. They will speed up. Have to huff and puff to pass you and after few seconds, you have to pass them the second time.

I have yet to see someone who is actively blocking your path by moving over or changing their line. The second time, I think I would have body slammed him really hard and sprinted off. Unfortunately, I can be a bit of hot head at times and I'm geting bit too old for such non-sense.

[Duck on Wheels]

Well, on the ALC I heard it often enough that I considered it my name. Aside from a personal greeting, I took it to mean that somebody coming up behind me saw that it was safe to pass on my left and that I should keep a straight, predictable course to allow them to make use of that opportunity, or call out a warning if I saw a gaping pothole ahead I would have to swerve around. Knowing it was my name, I generally kept as far to the right as I could without risking loose gravel or aforementioned gaping pothole or an abrupt edge of the asphalt or a wide-spaced grate, or (rarely!) an even slower rider on my right. Assuming no such reason would make me have to swerve the next few seconds, I would call back "go for it!" or "that's my name" or "on your right!" or "have a nice ride" or "save some dinner for me" or "are we there yet?" or even just "thanks!" That way they knew I'd heard and understood the warning. Also I got a nice wave or a laugh, which made it kinda fun to be the slow gal on the route.

Now as for those two guys ... Well, they were rude, but the rules of the road do still apply, and the general traffic rule is that it's the person passing who's responsible for being sure it's safe to do so. If it were me doing the passing, I'd have stayed behind them a while, then maybe called out "Guys! There's lane enough for the three of us and I want to pass. If you'd move over, I'd pass on your left. You wanta stay like you are, I'll pass between you. What's it to be?"

Oh, and if this were ALC, where all 2000+ riders are under strict orders to stay single file except when passing, I might report them for creating a dangerous and irritating situation.

[TrekTheKaty]

Well, this turned into a good thread! I also follow on your left with "thank you" or "good morning" to encourage a positive attitude towards cyclists. I keep threatening to put a bell on my road bike, because it works great for clueless people and geese :) Of course, as mentioned, "on your left" doesn't mean MOVE.

Yes, men frequently "pick up their pace" when I pass. I'm prepared for that and make sure that I have more than enough ability to complete the manuever. I don't give them a chance to do it a second time ;)

Smilingcat, after the Tour immersion this month, I may have to start practicing the body slam--it looks like acceptable cycling etiquette :)

[withm]

Hmmm there seems to be a sense of entitlement that slower cyclits, pedestrians, dogs, whoever are required to give way to the the faster ones.

Sure, it would be courteous, and safer if they did so. But you can't legistlate basic ignorance, or obnoxiousness.

Any cyclist has the duty to ride carefully without causing or contributing to an accident.

Think about it in terms of cars vs bikes instead of bikes vs peds. We expect a motorist to hold back and not pass until it can be done safely. Why would anyone assume cyclists don't have to follow these same rules when dealing with slower traffic? How would you feel if cars just passed with inches and no warning at every opportunity?

When approaching any slower traffic, I always say "bicycle behind you," and if I'm in a group I say to my group "slowing," and to the obstruction, "3 (or 10) bicycles behind you.

Pedestrians, people with strollers, kids, and/or dogs have no idea what "on your left" means to a cyclist, much less to themselves. And little kids will always run towards mom. Don't ever try to squeeze between them.
Dogs are unpredictable, especially with expando leashes.

My advice is to stay off the multiuse path at all costs!

[Crankin]

This is why I don't ride on paths, unless it's a very off -peak time.
If i hear on your left, I hold my line and let the person pass. In the regular places I ride right around my house, I usually "hear" the bike before they say it, and not everyone says it.
If I am passing I say, "Bike passing on your left."
Today I had a first time experience with a woman rider. I was riding with my friend who is much slower than me. When we got to a flat. straight a way, I took off. She knows I will stop and wait. So a much younger woman came up behind me and passed, when I was going around 17. I may have slowed momentarily to fix something. She did not announce herself! I figured, well she was rude, even though I said hi to her, so I got in behind her. Usually, I ask if it's OK. She wasn't going any faster than me. I followed her for 2-3 miles at 16-21 mph and was on her wheel. Finally I pulled over and said, "Thanks, i am going to wait for my friend."
She replied,"Oh, I didn't even know you were there..." Yeah, right. She thought she had dropped me, but there is no way she couldn't hear me.

[OakLeaf]

You know, it just occurred to me...often times when I'm riding, all I really hear is "LEFT!". I know what they said/mean, but with the wind blowing in my ears (unless I've specifically turned my head to listen behind me), that's all I hear. If someone is inexperienced and not familiar with standard etiquette, it could be that they think you are telling them to move to the left (as in, a directive towards them: "LEFT!").

We use the MUPs to avoid the busy streets in and out of town. There are occasions when an MUP is safer than the street, and when your route in or out of town involves freeway and river crossings, the streets tend to be few, narrow and congested.

Whenever I'm passing a pedestrian (either on the MUP or if they're walking the wrong way on the street) I'll holler "PASSING on your left." There's no way they would've heard "left" and not "passing." Usually, the response is for mom to go left, dad to go right, and the kids to freeze in the middle of the lane.

I do think MUPs are confusing for pedestrians, because they're walking in the wrong lane from their perspective. That's not an excuse for people not paying attention any time they're in a public place, but it is what it is.

Passing a cyclist is completely different from passing a pedestrian (just as when you're in a car, passing a cyclist is completely different from passing another car). Sounds like you just came up on somebody really ignorant.

I've had to pass a group of cyclists taking up the whole path where they ignored my first and second holler, but appeared to respond to my third one by moving right. Then, as I started to pass, they came over on top of me... and yelled at me for "not announcing myself." :rolleyes:

[MartianDestiny]

Hmmm there seems to be a sense of entitlement that slower cyclits, pedestrians, dogs, whoever are required to give way to the the faster ones.


I haven't seen that sense of entitlement on this thread.

There are two very different scenarios being discussed however.

1) The OP's predicament. Passing two other cyclists who are side-by-side on the roadway. In most places riding side-by-side is technically illegal with some exceptions for conditions, etc (but ok, we all do it, especially when traffic is light, it's nice to talk to your buddy). Even where it is not expressly illegal it IS illegal to "impede the normal flow of traffic". Thus, it is not only courteous, but a legal requirement, to yield the lane (normally written as "move as far right as is practicable" or similar) on a roadway after a passing vehicle has announced their presence and intent (for cars a short honk is accepted, for cyclists it's typically "on your left" or similar verbal cue) as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. Obviously that doesn't mean you have to dart right as soon as someone says "on your left", the "as soon as it is safe and practical" is very important, but you are legally required to help expedite a safe and legal pass when it is safe to do so (and it is clearly safe for riders riding side-by-side to single up to let another cyclist pass). In Colorado the law also goes so far to say that after a vehicle has signaled that they are behind you and wish to pass it is illegal to move left to attempt to block that pass (that's not just bikes, that's vehicle code in general), and it sounds like these riders did that on one or both occasions. It is ultimately the duty of the passing vehicle to pass safely, but there ARE rules governing the overtaken vehicle as well. In this scenario we are all vehicles, on the road, and the vehicle code applies in full.

2) MUTS, passing all sorts of users. Whether or not there are technically rules, all rules and beats are off. It's all on your shoulders to pass safely. We can hope for common (or not so common) courtesy after we've announced our presence, but ultimately we have to expect erratic and unexpected behavior. We aren't really vehicles anymore and certainly the pedestrians aren't so all the stuff from 1) doesn't apply.

Even if I don't think anyone is required to move out of the way, especially on MUTS, I still think grown people that *intentionally* block the whole path and impede other users are jerks.

[spokewench]

There is no entitlement or right of way for a faster ped or cyclist to go around a slower one; there is just etiquette about letting someone go by. It is only courteous; it is also courteous that you allow a car to go by you as well and that is why you ride to the left so that they may pass you because you are slower. I have the right to the road, if there are objects in the road that do not allow me to right to the right, I ride out further; but I will move to the left once it is safe and that is a courteous move to let other cyclists, etc., go by me if they wish to travel at a higher speed than I do.

I had many issues on the Colorado bike tour because people are unaware of the courtesy or they just did not care, or they were too tired to hear you; or they were wearing earphones listening to music; or they as I said just don't understand. They were riding out in the middle of the road, which is as we all know against the law; so if I saw this, and they did not want to ride correctly, they left me no choice but to politely tell them I was passing on the right and then I accelerated quickly so that I did not have a run into (literally) with them. If a pedestrian cannot move over because of something in the trail or an object blocking their walking, then I expect that they will go around this and then give me some room so that I may safely pass.

On your left is for safety and courtesy and I believe safety and courtesy should be all important in our lives.

spoke



It is a courtesy that people hold their line and let you go by whether to the right or to the left and it is also a safety issue to both parties.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I keep threatening to put a bell on my road bike, because it works great for clueless people and geese :)

And here's a perfect example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtv2_-2mHck
I use both my bike bell and my voice- and I start from far back to give people time to react. :)

[sspoor]

Ladies--I really appreciate all your replies and I seemed to have struck a chord with many of you.

Biciclista - Your point is well taken about the law, and upon reflection, you are quite correct. I did break the law by passing in the oncoming traffic lane because the line was a double yellow at that point, indicating a "no passing" zone. I will keep this in mind during future rides and I appreciate your making me think about this.

To all, I do my weekly training rides and also inline skate on a multi-use trail. That's a whole different ball game to me. Due to the unpredictability of others using those trails, I always ride with a very defensive and cautious approach. Kids, dogs, and adults never react the way I expect when I call out to them. I frequently use the "bicycle coming up behind you" or just "hello, I'm behind you" on the trail because it often gets a more useful reaction.

On road rallies, I also try to judge the experience of the rider I'm passing in order to get an educated guess on whether they know the "rules of the road." The guys in question clearly knew what I meant when I called out to them. You all are right--they were just a couple of jerks.

I'm really interested to read the opinions on whether "on your left" means please give way or whether it means I'm just letting you know I'm here. I never expect another rider to give way if it's not safe for them to do so. I've had way too many experiences with pace lines that try to force me over into roadway that I'm not comfortable riding on.

So, I guess my bottom line is that I don't mind waiting for people to react in the safest manner possible, but I don't appreciate people who intentionally continue to block passing riders and force the passing rider to either sit up or make a potentially unsafe pass.

To my fellow DFW rider--there is one well-known area cyclist who rides directly on the yellow line. Whole groups of riders can come up behind him and politely ask him to move over so others can get around and he steadfastly ignores everyone who speaks to him. He has a reputation! If you're riding the Tour de Paris tomorrow, you will encounter him. He typically can be found in east side rides.

Anyway, my thanks to everyone for your comments. It's very helpful to hear the perspectives of others.

Be careful out there!

Susan in Dallas

[Cataboo]

On your left - to me means someone's going to pass me on my left and I should hold steady and not veer left.

however, typically by the time it's shouted at me, I'm confused, I look around and I probably veer left. I've found myself doing that on bike paths. Luckily, i don't bike on trails much.

It would have been nice if the guy gave you room to pass - but if you were in a car and there were 2 cars driving the same speed in front of you in 2 lanes - you really wouldn't go up behind one of them and honk & flash your lights until one gave way. (Yes, I know some people do that...)


So I'm sure the guy didn't like being passed by you for whatever reason - and what he did the 2nd time was definitely uncalled for - but the first time could have just been ignorance of what you wanted him to do.

[witeowl]

Hmmm there seems to be a sense of entitlement that slower cyclits, pedestrians, dogs, whoever are required to give way to the the faster ones.
...
My advice is to stay off the multiuse path at all costs!

I haven't seen any post that reeks of a sense of entitlement, which makes me wonder if it's my post, and even that can't be what you mean. A multi-use path is just that: a multi-use path. I deserve to be there just as much as anyone else; I just need to recognize that they have the same right to be there and treat them with respect. (And, yeah, I know the OT wasn't MUPs, but it was a semi-related issue.)

In another related situation, when hiking on a multi-use trail, I always yield to horses and know that bikes are always supposed to yield to me (that one actually is "legislated"). But it seems silly because they can travel faster so we hikers tend to yield to them out of courtesy.

This whole thread is about courtesy.

Just as I expect a slower car to be in the right hand or middle lane on a multi-lane freeway, I expect a slower pedestrian, cyclist, or skateboarder to hang out on the right. Lord knows I'm that slower cyclist often enough!

Kids and animals are the exceptions, of course, because they don't know the rules of the road.

(Oh, and when I come up on a slower car in the "fast lane", I do flash my lights. If they do the courteous thing and move to the right, they've saved me (and countless others) from doing a more dangerous thing by passing on the right. I'm never in the leftmost lane unless I'm passing someone. That's a holdover from my parents (who learned on the Autobahn), and I can only wish it were a more common driving attitude.)

@sspoor, to clarify my original answer: In my opinion, "On your left" primarily is a heads up warning; it only means I should move to the right if I'm doing something wrong by being too far out or riding/walking two abreast. I tend to move to the right if I can out of an abundance of courtesy, though. ;)

[Cataboo]

My sister has gotten a ticket for coming up behind someone and flashing her lights...

While in general, I do pass on the left - and that's probably because I was taught to drive by my father who learned to drive in europe.... There are no actual laws that say you can't pass on your right in most states and most people weren't taught to drive by foreign parents, so expecting someone to get out of your way when it's clear to your right because you blinked your lights at them could be misunderstood.

I generally will just come up behind someone and keep a somewhat closer distance than they probably want, and hopefully they will then give way... if they don't, I'll pass on the right if it's clear.

Someone can look up the state laws if they want - I have no idea which percentage have pass on your left laws vs. not - but haven't had such in the states I've lived in.

[sspoor]

Whiteowl--I'm with you. When someone says "on your left" to me, it's a piece of information to alert me to their position. Sometimes it's because I was daydreaming and had drifted out. As a general rule, both when driving and cycling, I tend to stay to the right. It's not worth getting into an altercation with an angry driver and it's just plain courteous. And yes, I think we've worked ourselves around to the conclusion that it is all about common courtesy.

[Crankin]

When I lived in AZ, it was the common practice to flash your lights if A) you wanted the person to move over to the right lane, so you could pass or B)they were waiting to move into your lane, in front of you and your flashing indicated it was safe for them to do so. Whether this is law or not, I don't know.
If you flash your lights at someone in MA they either don't know what this means or why you are doing this, pretend not to know and drive even slower to piss you off, or yell swear words at you.
The law for cyclists changed here in June. We are now allowed to ride side by side, if conditions permit. Unfortunately, most of the group rides I have been on since then have been hell. Most of the riders take the law to mean they can block the whole lane, with no regard to anyone else. When my DH yelled at a rider to fall in line last Saturday and move over to let a car by, he started screaming at my DH that the law had changed. Well, yeah, who is going to win this contest, you or a 3,000 pound car?

[ilima]

Sounds like the guy deserves to have a pump in his spokes. Seriously. The way he was riding was extremely dangerous. There is no excuse for acting like an a$$hole and endangering other cyclists lives during a charity ride!

If he was wearing a number (and you remember it) you should report him to the ride director.

[TrekTheKaty]

sspoor, yes we did drift off here--but that was also interesting.

My vote is: letting me know you're there. If I'm riding two abreast, I will move over to accommodate you, so you can pass safely (courtesy). If I'm riding single file--I will hold my line and pace until you've passed.

Everyone summed it up well, but now I'll tell my story. On my first century, we slowed to allow an "official" looking club to get ahead of us. HUGE MISTAKE. Lesson learned: Just because they have matching jerseys doesn't mean they know what they are doing, are in good shape or are faster than me (I frequently underestimate myself on a bike--no more)! We promptly entered a narrow, hilly, bike path. The lead group quickly slowed to a crawl and began stopping haphazardly in the middle of the trail. I reached a point where I felt I could pass safely and yelled "on your left" and pulled out. As I did, a rider behind me said "on your left," but quickly said "sorry" when he realized I wasn't the problem and was making forward progress. I was committed and couldn't pull back in or stop without wrecking. I made a mental note to thank this cyclist for not running me over when we he finally passed me on the other side. However, he humbly rode my wheel for quick some time after that, and I never identified the mystery man. I do believe his "ON YOUR LEFT" was initially an aggravated command to move, but he realized the error in his ways and he pulled in behind me--which was the correct action, IMHO.

[TrekTheKaty]

If you flash your lights at someone in MA they either don't know what this means or why you are doing this, pretend not to know and drive even slower to piss you off, or yell swear words at you.


Gotta love those east coast drivers. Got stuck in a round-a-bout in MA once--I learned some new words :cool:

[firestar]

This is one of the main reasons I rarely do organized rides anymore. I'm not very social when I ride anyway. I like to concentrate on what I'm doing on the bike (and what other riders are doing around me) and would rather chat at rest stops. Even on country roads with little car traffic. I think I must be in the minority though. Why do people need to be side by side talking ALL the time?

The older I get, the crankier I become. OMG! I'm turning into my father!

So glad I'm not the only one! I just can't ride and chit-chat too. I prefer not to, in fact. I'm there for the social aspect to an extent, but when I'm riding, that is where my mind is - and where other's should concentrate too - 'weavers' I'm, lookin' at you! I'd run someone off the road trying to talk to them!:p

[smilingcat]

And here's a perfect example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtv2_-2mHck
I use both my bike bell and my voice- and I start from far back to give people time to react. :)

Thank you Lisa,

The video was very very funny. Typical Japanese humor.

[kenyonchris]

(Oh, and when I come up on a slower car in the "fast lane", I do flash my lights. If they do the courteous thing and move to the right, they've saved me (and countless others) from doing a more dangerous thing by passing on the right. I'm never in the leftmost lane unless I'm passing someone. That's a holdover from my parents (who learned on the Autobahn), and I can only wish it were a more common driving attitude.)



Yeah, don't do this. It is, in fact illegal (in Texas and in most states)...you must have your lights on dim within 300 feet when approaching from the rear and 500 feet when approaching head on. It is far safer to pass on the left, but, trust me, flashing lights confuse people.

And bicycles are not supposed to impede traffic. I regard that as impeding all traffic...other bicycle traffic included. If riding two abreast is impeding traffic, it is illegal. It is permitted if it does not cause a problem, which apparently it did for you. However, unless you have the luxury of a badge and a ticket book, there is not much you can do except follow, mutter under your breath, and wait until you can pass safely and legally.

BTW, you CAN (and technically are supposed to) use your horn (or bell or voice) and give a light BEEP BEEP as a signal that you are passing. Of course, no one does this, but it is a permitted use of the horn (one of the most satisfying tickets I wrote in a long time is to a jerk who decided to HONK at a cop friend of mine who was directing traffic off-duty...he was in uniform at a busy church intersection and the jerk didn't like the way he was doing it...I strolled along in my car and at the right time and was able to pull the guy over, and wrote him for improper use of the horn).

[Tuckervill]

So glad I'm not the only one! I just can't ride and chit-chat too. I prefer not to, in fact. I'm there for the social aspect to an extent, but when I'm riding, that is where my mind is - and where other's should concentrate too - 'weavers' I'm, lookin' at you! I'd run someone off the road trying to talk to them!:p

Well, SOME of us CAN talk and ride a straight line.

Karen

[Trek420]

Case 2: Hike and bike trail at the park. Path is about 6' wide, paved. Couple is walking hand in hand taking up most of the path.. I slowed down a bit, said "on your left" as I approached, and the man stopped in his tracks, and stayed where he was (left side of the path) the lady also stopped, but turned around, put both arms out (???) essentially blocking the whole path and I ended up off the path and off my bike (not a fall exactly, but no traction in gravel I pretty much skid to a sideways stop and hopped off). She apologized profusely, but it still left me thinking that people just don't have a clue what proper passing entails... it's not like I expected them to hightail it out of my way (just moving over a bit to the right would have given me more than enough room to pass safely), but to STOP and effectively block my way completely? Uh, no....

I've learned whether it's hikers, kids, cyclists who seem new or newer and especially kids to say a cheery "good morning" or "I'm passing on your left" or "Hello! :)"

You never know what kids will do, and hikers often go to the left that is to say right smack into you.

Of course you should call out, but it does not have to literally be "on your left".

I rarely get to pass people, I hear the call out more than I say it :cool:

[TrekTheKaty]

While at a bike shop in Defiance, MO--we found a kid's toy that made a fog horn noise! We laughed about that all day! When we went back the next weekend, it was gone :( Everytime I come up behind clueless people, I want that fog horn--it's also bilingual. We have quite a few older, oriental people on our bike path. They clearly don't understand "on your left" but have learned "hello" means we are coming up behind and they step over, smile and wave. They understand "hello" and think we are just being friendly :)

Dogs on retractable leashes--I just cringe and wait for impact as I go over my handlebars.

Kids. I had one child who saw me, froze and smiled as I said "hello" and waved. Mom, however, freaked and bolted in front of me. SO, yes, don't split Mom and baby--even if BABY understands your intentions.

[kenyonchris]

Dogs on retractable leashes--I just cringe and wait for impact as I go over my handlebars.



DONT'T even get me started on those retractable leashes!!! I have had so many near crashes on patrol while riding on the path (which I never do on my personal bikes for all these reasons)...and seen many non-doggie people very unhappy when accosted by a dog on a retractable leash.
My dog heals when in public on a leash. Makes life better for him, the people around me, and me.
Those things are nuisances and dangerous.

[bmccasland]

To me "ON YOUR LEFT" is I'm going to pass on your left, or if I hear it, someone faster is coming up from behind on my left.

This past week I was riding the levee path with a new rider, and well, we were lolly gagging, and gabbing side-by-side But when we heard "on your left" one of us mashed down, pulled out in front of the other, so that we were single file, letting the other rider pass us safely.

We would call out to pedistrians "on your left", and some would hand wave that they heard us, while others did not.

Our levee path is shared by pedistrians, cyclists, and equistrians. Most of the time the equistrians ride the toe or sides of the levee and not the top. Yielding to a horse is all kinds of fun. I do NOT want to spook a horse. There's the whole mass thing, it's bigger than me.

I try to avoid the levee path in the early evening, around twilight, as that's when the strollers are out - where the levee path becomes an extension of the neighborhood. And as there's usually a breeze on top, it's slightly cooler (slightly). Too many people to make long haul riding a challenge.

The path is there for everyone, so I just remove myself from the mix.

[Ana]

"On your left" IMO, means "please hold your line and speed so I may make a safe pass, thank you"

Agreed!

I have to say that momentarily (especially if they sneak up suddenly and then you hear a voice behind you) I am startled and cannot get my thoughts together. For some reason, my reaction to being startled is to change my direction of travel but I've since learned to maintain my speed and direction of travel; and let them do maneuver around me. I think it's mostly due to brief panic of something-unexpected-is-happening. It's especially difficult for me not to be startled if the person is traveling at a much higher speed than than I am--not only because it is more difficult to understand them as they approach--because everything happens more quickly!

[Skierchickie]

I guess I haven't used "on your left" while biking, nor had it used on me. We're sparsely populated, and I don't encounter a lot of riders on my road rides. I guess it hasn't occurred to me to say it - I generally cough or something, so they know I'm there. I use it a lot in ski races. In striding races, it's always (well, at least the last 30 years that I know of) been a rule that the slower skier in the tracks relinquish them to the faster skier coming up behind. Proper etiquette is to yell "Track! On your left!" Or right, as the case may be. Skate-skiing, in a race, you yell out the side to plan to pass on, and they are supposed to get over the other way (or pull their equipment in enough to allow the pass). I do encounter people who either speed up or refuse to get over, but that is against the rules, and they really should be disqualified for it. The main thing is to select an area where it is actually possible, and not going to send the person into the bushes, a rock, etc. To be polite. I try to select the inside of a curve where I can get past as quickly as possible, although I had one woman gripe about that (because I was making her take the longer route - however she'd been preventing me from passing for a while, so I didn't really have a choice - I could have passed on the straight section, had she not kept speeding up each time I tried). Once you call "on your left", you have the responsibility to complete your pass as quickly and efficiently as possible, and they have the responsibility to make that possible. I have said "on your left, please, when you get a chance", in areas where I need to pass but recognize that it won't work right there.

I don't use it out training, because it seems a little over-the-top, plus little old ladies tend to fall if you startle them. So I try to gently make my presence known, slow up behind them and wait if it makes sense to, etc. Sometimes it can be frustrating, but better than being rude.

As I said, I've never used it riding, but it seems like the same rules would apply. I can see how, in a more populated area with lots of riders/walkers, or on a MUT, it would be a good tool. Where I am, it seems like it would come off as elitest or something, and maybe somewhat demanding.

Anybody remember Taea Leoni (sp) in Spanglish? From 50 yards back , "ON YOUR LEFT!!". I thought that was pretty funny.

Oh - the OP's question: to me, it means to get over as soon as I safely can to make room for them to safely pass, inconveniencing them as little as possible.

[Tuckervill]

On our trail, I usually whistle a little tune from far enough back for them to hear me, but not startle them, as if I were just tootling along. We have very little traffic on most of our trail, so hardly anyone here would know what On Your Left means. If they still don't hear me, I say "bicycle! I'm going to pass you on the left." and say thanks if they stop and look back and don't get in my way, which is what often happens. I never say thanks to runners who don't even notice me because they have their headphones on. Most of them give me dirty looks.

Karen

[Nightowl]

I have been riding trails a lot. I purchased a small bell and ring it quite a ways back, so the walker or slow biker is aware of me behind them. As I get closer, I then say "on your left" if it is safe to pass and the left is appropriate. I find this combination doesn't startle people. I have received many "thank yous" and "I like your bell" comments, so I guess it works well enough.

[PamNY]

On our very crowded (and in some parts multi-use) bike path, "on the left" simply means "I'm passing you." The serious bikers, whom I sometimes regard as homicidal maniacs in spandex, are very good about saying it.

I say "on your left" and ring my bell when passing pedestrians, skaters, or bikers. I use the bell because we have lots of tourists and languages/local customs may vary.

If there is some unusual obstruction, like two bikers who stop to chat with one bike parked sideways, I call out "helloooo."

[Resi]

LOL I just love it, glad I am not the only one which gets cranky:mad: LOL
I get this all the time, but the best situation I had was at the Houston-Austin MS 150 2009. Bueschner Park has some small hills (for me Swiss gal it is just a bump in the road) but hey this are for some riders good hills, so I let it be... I am biking behind a guy and hear him shifting not right, all this noises, I approach him calling out "passing on your left" and I guess he just could not get his gear right and fell over...this is so funny but also scary. By the way he was ok...
I am a faster rider, but after passing I alway go back to the right, so faster rider can pass me, it is like driving a car or not?

I find people which start biking should join a club, where they learn how to ride in groups and get some technical tips. Ignore the fast rider, if you bike a while you get better and faster, this is not a quick fix... I respect every biker It does not matter to me on which level he or she is, and charity rides are not races, which many bikers just ignore.



Happy and save riding

Resi

[Eden]

hmmmm I think this is one of those things that can have different meanings depending on how it is said...

on your left - I'm going to pass on your left, please hold your line

on your left - you are weaving around and making it impossible to safely pass you...

on your left!! - you are blocking the entire road/trail and preventing anyone from getting around you...

In all seriousness these are my preferences

I don't do a lot of organized rides, but when I do I generally try to let slower riders that I'm passing. I do also believe that everyone at these rides should *expect* that there will be a rider on their left and LOOK before they move.... but I also know that there are a lot of clueless folks out there so regardless of how I think they should act, I'm very careful of them and I let them know I'm there.

On a regular open road encountering other cyclists. Unless the person/people are really all over the road, I tend to just move well to the left of a rider and pass. Being an open road with other traffic anyone who makes a sudden move out into the street without looking is just a fool..... There are plenty of quiet cars that you could be pulling out in front of too if you make a sudden move without looking. Cars are not even supposed to beep (in this state at least - the RCW's prohibit use of horn when passing a cyclist). I figure yelling at someone is worse than just passing them...

On a MUP - like many others, I tend to avoid MUPs, but when on them. If the MUP is wide, free of oncoming traffic and and I'm passing just one person, especially a pedestrian or anyone who has plugged their ears with an electronic device, I'll just move far left and pass. When it is more crowded or if I'm passing someone who seems wobbly etc, I tend to use "passing" or "passing left" more often than "on your left", which seems to make more people jump into your way than not. What really annoys me is when I've judged the situation to be a bit too dangerous to pass - if it is narrow and there is oncoming traffic or if there is a blind corner and I've indicated I'm slowing down then some doofus comes whipping around me without saying a word....

[Jiffer]

What a jerk! Yes, common courtesy as well as cycling etiquette should have caused him to move over for you and certainly not try to force you over or keep you from passing! I'm guessing they probably didn't even hear you to begin with, as they were engaged in their conversation completely oblivious to the fact that there were other riders in the universe. Secondly, when you went to pass him, he probably couldn't stand the idea that a woman was passing him and had to try to show he was a man and, therefore, strong enough to keep you in your place behind him.

So cool that you were strong enough to "crush him" (as my dh would say!).

I recall being on a long beach ride with dh and some friends where we were keeping a fairly fast pace line going there were no other cyclists around. We were along busy Pacific Coast Highway. All of a sudden a cyclist comes out of nowhere, not even on the left, but the right and passes without a word. Completely freaked me out. I was so ticked that he snuck up without making us aware he was there, where there wasn't a whole lot of room for someone to pass on the right of all places.

Anyways, I say that guy was a jerk and you were AWESOME for passing him and doing it like a girl!!! :D

[channlluv]

My favorite ride is a five-mile loop around Lake Miramar in San Diego. It's a MUP, though, and a favorite spot for families barbecuing up by the boat rental building and restrooms. It's a really nice spot for picnics and boating, but there's no swimming allowed. It's a drinking water resevoir (but there are geese and ducks and various other wildlife - go figure).

Anyway, as bmc said, in the late afternoon and evenings, the place is full of pedestrians who don't realize they're on a 15 MPH bike path. There's a big sign at the front of the path telling them to keep to the right, but obviously, that sign is meant for everyone but them and their toddler and their cute little dog on the retractable leash. I try not to go ride in the evenings there.

I also avoid it early on Sunday mornings. The walkers clear out around 10am, though, and that's when I get there. It's almost empty in the middle of the day every day of the week.

A couple of weeks ago, though, I was riding in the middle of the day and came up on these four young women walking abreast and taking up the whole right-hand side of the road (it's a standard two-lane street according the city maps, and is open to vehicular traffic, with a 15mph speed limit).

We were coming up on a blind curve that is posted for no passing - there's literally a bright yellow pole in the middle of the road that serves as the double yellow line there, and there's a big yellow street sign that says "No Passing." I was a good way behind them, but I called out "On your left!" so they'd have time to move - I was going about the speed limit. They didn't move. I called out again as I got closer and the girl on the outside and the one next to her went to move right and I started to pass them when the third girl waved them back out!

I literally skidded to a halt within a couple of feet of the two girls who had moved to the right, then moved back. Number Three gets all snarky and says, "There's a whole road over there." I kicked back into gear because now Number One and Number Two had moved farther to the left and made room between them and Number Three for me to get by.

I called out, "Oh no, there's not. It's a posted no-passing curve." She yelled back, "Oh yes, there is."

Oh, geez, did I really revert back to grade school? Yes, I'm afraid I did. "Really? You're willing to force people into oncoming traffic?" I shouted back at her. I did not handle it well. I admit it. But at least I didn't shout obscenities at her. They smirked at me - or at least, she did, the others just sort of looked to her to see how they were supposed to react. I think they were embarrassed. I know I was later when I had time to process what had happened. I should have just ridden between them and ignored Number Three.

I only call out "On your left!" if I actually need someone to move over for safety, like when people are walking and talking and blocking the right side of the road and there is oncoming traffic in the opposite lane. If there's no oncoming traffic, I just whip around them and return to the right side of the road as quickly as I can.

I actually got passed by a guy on inline skates a couple of weeks ago. He didn't call out anything, he was so zenned out. I heard him coming and couldn't believe I couldn't stay out in front of him doing 12 - 14mph. I finally quit trying and he passed me by like I was sitting still. Sheesh.

When I see people with dogs on long leashes, I call out "Bike!" well in advance of me catching up to them, which sometimes works. Sometimes I yell, "Leash!" when it's one of those retractable things. I agree that those things are an absolute safety hazard.

The people who bug me the most, though, are parents who let their toddlers and young children run all over the road while they - the parents - are talking on the phone. It's a posted 15mph road and there are occasional cars and trucks on it, too (people driving into the park to visit the several fishing spots with docks and reeds and all that stuff that turns fishermen on). There are also cyclists who do not pay any attention at all to that 15 mph speed limit. (I have to admit that I've hit 19 mph on some of the flats, and my daughter confessed to 17.6mph when she was on a rescue mission to get a First Aid kit to her friend who had crashed and needed bandages.)

I've called out "Baby on the bike path!" to a father who was pushing an empty stroller, talking on a phone, and ignoring his toddler who was scampering along way behind him. I had to yell it twice before he heard me and turned around. I had stopped and his boy was stopped, too, looking up at me. He scooped the baby up without saying a word to me and continued his phone conversation.

Another young mother was on the phone, too, while her toddler was wandering in the middle of the path behind her. I was approaching from in front of her, so she could see me coming. She was just too engrossed in her phone conversation. I called out, "Watch the baby! Watch the baby!" She turned and saw where the baby was, looked back at where I was, and told the baby to hold still, which the baby, to her credit, did, and I passed very slowly, just in case.

There are the same parents who ignore the many signs warning about rattle snakes, too, I guess.

And then there are the parents with their kids out on new bikes who are actively teaching them the safety rules. "Keep over to the right. Good." For those folks I'll call out "On your left!" even thought there's plenty of room, just to demonstrate what to do, and I've often heard the parents saying, "See? You call out 'On your left' when you need to pass someone." That's a nice warm-fuzzy.

Roxy

[Karma007]

Is it maybe a regional thing? In SC, it was common knowledge and lingo. Hee in CA, I don't hear it so often, and otherwise intellignet people act like I'm speaking a foreign language when I use it. I've had people move to the left, so I could pass on the right. Huh?

[Crankin]

Channluv, last year I was passed by an in-line skater going UP Oak Hill in Harvard, MA. He passed my DH, too, who was going faster than me. I heard the guy, but my brain couldn't assimilate the image, as he was also wearing a bike helmet. This is a hill that is used for training by racers, so it's not some wimpy hill! And, he was my age, not some young guy.
All of these stories reinforce why I don't ride on paths, although, we don't have many around here. We want to go on one that starts about 7 miles from my house, to go out for breakfast, but it's either going to have to be really early in the morning, like 6 AM, or after 9, to avoid the commute traffic.

[HappyTexasMom]

And then there are the parents with their kids out on new bikes who are actively teaching them the safety rules. "Keep over to the right. Good." For those folks I'll call out "On your left!" even thought there's plenty of room, just to demonstrate what to do, and I've often heard the parents saying, "See? You call out 'On your left' when you need to pass someone." That's a nice warm-fuzzy.


This is me with my son. :) I've been taking him out on paths and lesser traveled roads (with bike lanes and still plenty wide) so I can teach him the rules of the road. Wow, I never realized how much knowledge I just take for granted. Teaching him the different directions traffic can come from and how to look, what people are *supposed* to do (and therefore what you can generally expect, but not necessarily count on), and how to cross like a bike vs. a pedestrian. It's exhausting taking him for a ride! But so worth it.

[channlluv]

You know, the rules have changed, too, since I was a kid. When I was little, we were instructed to get off our bikes at intersections and walk across like pedestrians. That would have made any kind of in-town riding a real bore.

I'm so much more diligent about following the rules when my daughter is with me, too. And not only to be a better example for her, but doggone if she doesn't call me out when I do something wrong. Ha!

Roxy

[kfergos]

When I'm passing other riders who are reasonably far right, I use "passing on your left" (spoken as loudly and clearly enunciated as possible) to mean "stay where you are and I'll go by you."

When passing riders two widely abreast, who look unstable on their bikes, or who are individually farther left than necessary, I mean "please move to the right a bit so I can get by you." If they don't move, I'll wait behind them until it's safe and clear to pass.

When passing kids, old people, or families on multi-use trails, I usually say "Coming up behind you" from a good distance away; I definitely don't assume they know what "on your left" means (especially little kids). That gives them time to figure out what's going on and react in a way I can predict and accommodate. I also always say "Thank you," whether or not I could perceive any reaction to my calling out, because I want people to remember me as that polite cyclist who slowed down to pass, rather than that jerk who blew by at 20 mph when passing a 4-year-old on training wheels. No need to foster more cyclist-non-cyclist dissension than there already is.

I do NOT expect people to move to the right for me, unless they're unreasonably far left. When people say "On your left" to me, I generally hold my line and speed since I put myself as far right as is safe in any given situation.

Slight thread hijack: On the STP this year and last year, we were passed by hundreds of people who didn't say a word when they went by. They silently passed us, often in groups of 10 or more, and that really bugs me. After a while we started calling "Bikes back!" to the other riders in our group to warn of these stealth passers. Is it reasonable to feel irritated when people rudely pass without saying a darn thing? Is there any law that says you need to notify somebody before passing? (I doubt it; I think this is probably just common courtesy.) Especially in big group rides when you're almost always being passed and almost always passing, it seems like saying SOMETHING should be the norm for everybody.

[Geonz]

Hmmm.... it doesn't matter whether 60% or 99% of cyclists think "on your left" means "let me by."
If the first callout didn't work, and especially if the second one didn't, then I wouild assume that for whatever reason, "on your left" didn't mean "kindly let me by" to them... and I would be more explicit in my instructions.
Depending on my mindset, my tone might indicate "obviously you are an imbecile because I have to tell you this" ("Excuse me, if you will go single file for a few brief moments, then you will not be blocking the road from faster riders") or more casual & friendly ("hey, could you let me around?"... tho' perhaps iwth "that's what 'on yer left" means, ya know")
It's *really* easy for people who usually aren't jerks to temporarily reside there. I do it myself.
(But... the first time somebody said "Bikes back" on me, I'd remember "oh, how rude I was!")

[OakLeaf]

Actually, on the road, as Kenyonchris pointed out, technically a passing vehicle is supposed to audibly signal the vehicle being passed, and the vehicle being passed is required to "give way to the right."

That includes bicycles and vocal signals as well as cars and horns...