A rant: If you're passing me, please let me know!

[owlice]

(This rant is directed at the dozens and dozens of bikers biking on Hains Point yesterday afternoon, most of whom are, I'm sorry, clods. Absolutely clods. Or were clods yesterday, at least.)

How hard is it to ring a bell -- you DO have a bell or other signal on your bike, don't you? If you're passing me, let me know, please! If you don't have a bell, use your voice! Call out, "Passing on your left!" or something else that lets me know where you are, which side you are on, and how narrow the space between us is going to be. Call out especially if you are going to do so within four inches of me! You have NO idea what my skill level is -- except that I am slower than you are -- so letting me know that you are about to pass me is as much for YOUR safety as it is for mine.

Thank you to the TWO -- just TWO, of dozens and dozens! -- bicyclists, one male, one female, who did call out. It is much appreciated.

The rest of you? You're clods! And I'm going to start telling you so when you haven't announced your presence, and I'm not going to feel bad about it, either!

So there!!

[OakLeaf]

Sometimes I just holler "On your right!" as they go by. :p

[abejita]

I do that too!! I also make faces at the ones that pass me ;-)

[bcipam]

My friends and I, all old time roadies, always call out. But we have noticed the younger riders don't - like it's not cool or something. I always yell to someone who passes and doesn't shout out "Don't forgot to call!!!!". The other day my guy and I were hiking in a local mountain bike park and noticed all the riders were calling out, being very friendly and polite. My partner then observed, "No wonder, they are all old dudes!" - obviously their moms taught them better!!! ;)

I figure its my mission to teach those young kids better. Some of the ones I ride with make fun of me but no matter, it's just right to do.

[kfergos]

Sometimes I just holler "On your right!" as they go by. :pMe too! Only one time I did that, and at the next light when I caught up with the guy who passed me, he said, "I guess I didn't call out loud enough," which made me feel like a jerk.

For the record, I'm one of the young cyclists, and I invariably slow down and call out, often loudly, before passing on the trail.

[Catrin]

I have noticed this in the local park where I have ridden so much. To date NOT ONE CYCLIST has called out to me when they passed. It should also be apparent that I am a new cyclist as I am still working on riding a straight line... though am much better than I was :o

[owlice]

Sometimes I just holler "On your right!" as they go by. :p

Oh, that's sooooo much better than what I was contemplating telling them; thank you!

[aicabsolut]

Really? HP is 2 lanes wide (one way). It's not a bike trail. There's usually a very safe passing distance to be had where you shouldn't need advance notice. It's also so crowded that if I would never shut up if I had to call out to every person I passed. Also, everyone knows that on Thursday nights, there is a huge peloton speeding around and sprinting every lap, making it more crowded than usual. Ride as you would on any road and keep an ear out for others.

[ny biker]

Ride as you would on any road and keep an ear out for others.

One of the big reasons I stopped riding on Beach Dr was because too many cyclists were passing me with only a couple of inches of clearance and they never ever warned they were passing. And I never ever heard them coming or knew they were there until I saw them next to me. Keeping an ear out is not enough to hear some bikes coming up from behind.

[owlice]

Really? HP is 2 lanes wide (one way). It's not a bike trail. There's usually a very safe passing distance to be had where you shouldn't need advance notice. It's also so crowded that if I would never shut up if I had to call out to every person I passed. Also, everyone knows that on Thursday nights, there is a huge peloton speeding around and sprinting every lap, making it more crowded than usual. Ride as you would on any road and keep an ear out for others.
"Everyone" knows?! No, everyone does NOT know. Sorry. The huge peloton speeding around is NOT exempt from showing common biking courtesy, despite what most of them seem to think. Sure, Hains Point is two lanes, and there usually is a very safe passing distance to be had, but some people -- some of whom are passing me -- don't use the "very safe passing distance" and are happy to get within three or four inches of me, maybe because they are riding many-across and there isn't an empty lane next to them.

I ride in crowded areas sometimes, and call out "bike passing on your left" and/or use my bell as often as necessary, even continuously if that's what it takes.

That Hains Point is NOT a bike trail, but is used not only by cars, but bikes, walkers, skaters, runners, and parents taking a stroll with their kids in a stroller, is all the MORE reason why someone passing should call or ring out. And if cars are blocking the road -- trying to park -- I think the "huge peloton speeding around" should act like traffic and STOP rather than weave around the car.

If bikes want to be treated as traffic, bikes need to act like traffic!

[pumpkinpony]

It might help your comfort level if you got a mirror... Not that that excuses the inconsiderate cyclists - I don't like people passing close by without telling me either, but at least with a mirror I know they are coming.

[malkin]

Three little words that mean so much...I don't know why it's so hard to say.

[OakLeaf]

Audible signal to pass is the law in some states (including Ohio). In motorized vehicles most people ignore it except on one-lane roads. When I mentioned this being the law, someone here thought it was "nonsensical." I don't think so at all. I agree that it's common courtesy regardless. If there's a peloton, no, every rider doesn't have to call out, but the point rider should say it's a peloton. If I'm point in a small paceline, I'll usually call out in advance, and then when I'm beside the person, I'll tell them how many riders behind me.

[bikerHen]

I'm all about calling out too. But on the flip side, when we were riding the Seattle to Portland ride last year with 10,000 other riders it got a little annoying after the first few thousand "on your left". We decided on just saying "passing" and then only to the riders who didn't look very alert. bikerHen

[Tri Girl]

*raising hand* I'm a clod. I rarely call out when passing- and I never call out to runners on the trails. Most of them have headphones and don't hear anyway. I used to call out to bikers but after having had two very rude people snip at me- I stopped. I always pass with at least 3 feet or more and go WAY around someone when passing. Hardly any other person calls out here. I can count on one hand how many times someone has called out to me when passing in the last year. Maybe some places it's more common than others.

[malkin]

I remember the "audible signal" from cars that honk as they pass in Europe.

[Selkie]

Really? HP is 2 lanes wide (one way). It's not a bike trail. There's usually a very safe passing distance to be had where you shouldn't need advance notice. It's also so crowded that if I would never shut up if I had to call out to every person I passed. Also, everyone knows that on Thursday nights, there is a huge peloton speeding around and sprinting every lap, making it more crowded than usual. Ride as you would on any road and keep an ear out for others.

I see your point on this, Absolut, but I admit that I'm like Owlice, I appreciate a warning and having some type-A rider buzz me p*sses me off (some of my responses to this sort of thing are, "passing on your right," "please warn next time," or "thanks for the warning").

When I ride down at Haines Pt., I try to pick times when I'm pretty sure the racer/hammer types won't be riding there (earlier in the morning, for example, on a weekend). If they pass me without warning but give me plenty of room, I don't care that much.

Ride defensively. I've had these aggressive riders buzz me on uncrowded MUTs, for Chrissake. It's stupid and pointless. Who cares if you can pass me, just keep a safe distance. There are a lot of people who apparently, were raised by wolves, and lack common courtesy. The worrisome thing is that this is a safety issue.

.

[Eden]

If bikes want to be treated as traffic, bikes need to act like traffic!

Well.... cars don't honk at one another when they pass.....

I don't know the area in question, so I don't know the particular situation, but as it is a road and not a MUP, I'm more inclined to agree with aicabsolut. I don't call out to cyclists when I am passing them on the road, just as I don't want to be honked at by cars. Then again I don't buzz them either. I give them the 3 feet or more that should be given by a car.

While some states may have an "audible signal" law, others have a prohibition.... its actually illegal to honk at cyclists for no good reason (ie an actual dangerous situation that requires use of a horn) in this state. I prefer it that way. For the most part I can hear cars unless it is very, very noisy. I know full well they are there. When they let out an ear piercing honk right off my side, it just makes me jump and that's not good.

[Selkie]

.... Then again I don't buzz them either. I give them the 3 feet or more that should be given by a car.


This is excellent, Eden.

[Crankin]

A lot of my weekday riding is done on 2 roads that are extremely popular with cyclists and are somewhat busy. Some of you might characterize these roads as 2 lane "country roads," but they are major cut through streets for the suburban communities around here. Some of the cyclists are commuters, some are racers, some are serious recreational cyclists, and some are just out for a ride with the family, or are tourists (this route is on a map of popular bike rides in historic areas).
I always call out when passing people slower than me. I also often say hi to them, or "have a nice ride." About half of the riders passing me call out; these are usually the serious roadies/racers. What I dislike are the ones who say "on your left" when they are already right next to, or already passing me, not coming up on me. I usually can hear someone approaching me, but often, I kind of "jump" when another rider comes up on me, without warning. Usually, I ignore it, but sometimes, if I'm feeling cranky, I might say "Have a nice day," to them, in a kind of sarcastic voice. I know it's silly, but it makes me feel temporarily good.
I dislike riding on MUPs, and we don't have many here, either. When I have ridden on a path, I call out to every single person and vary what I say according to whether it's a kid, a slower rider, or a jogger/walker. But, it takes a lot of energy. The way I see it, it's like being an ambassador for polite cycling. If I am riding on a path, it's not for "training," and I'd like others to see that roadies aren't all spandex clad yahoos.

[OakLeaf]

I'd like others to see that roadies aren't all spandex clad yahoos.

Also that spandex-clad roadies aren't all yahoos. ;)

[polly4711]

Totally agree!!! I just the the MS 150 from Houston to Austin with 13,500 riders. It was so great to hear people constantly communicating saying "on your left" which just became "left" by the end of the ride. But many people said "Riders on your left" when a group of people were coming by so that you knew not to come over to follow that first person.

I also must say that I had a guy brush shoulders with me and it completely freaked me out becuase he was that close. I saw him later that day get chewed out by the Ride Marshall because of his riding style.

[loopybunny]

I don't think I've ever been passed by someone who didn't call out. But then, I don't usually see other riders out when I ride. Last time I got out though, a couple on a tandem not only called out, but slowed enough for them both to say, "Hi, how's it going?"

That's my peeve... people who don't say hi or at least wave/nod/acknowledge your existence.

[Skierchickie]

I live in what most of you would consider an extremely rural area (one of those areas where 80% of drivers think bikes shouldn't be on the road). I'll encounter a biker that I need to pass about once every two years, if that. I'll be passed by another biker, well, maybe not that often. I'll see bikers riding toward me maybe once per ride, on my longer rides.

My passing experience is mainly from cross country skiing. I find that while training, if I yell out, the person I'm passing is just as likely to fall over as anything. So I try to cough or clear my throat at some point as I'm approaching, in the hope that they'll hear it and look back (or at least become aware of my presence). I don't just pass people without them knowing I'm there, unless they don't hear me and are skiing side-by-side with someone and talking, or wearing ear buds, and I'd have to scream to be heard. I try to be patient and pass once they know I'm there. I always figure yelling "on your left", like in a race, is just going to make me look like a jerk.

I find that while biking, anyone who passes me is going to startle me, because it's so rare. So just don't pass close - I'd rather not hear a voice right behind me, out of the blue. I would think that would be the bigger problem - the buzzing. Just give me space, and then smile and say "Hi - nice day, huh?". I remember the last time I passed two bikers on one of my rides. I could see them for a while, and was reeling them in steadily. It was windy enough to make it difficult to hear. Just before I was in range, the guy looked back, and I assumed he saw me. His wife was 3 or 4 bike lengths ahead, but I figured he would let her know (because, it would be silly not to, right?). So I cautiously passed, saying "Hi" as I passed him. Then I caught her (I was still over toward the center line), and she said "Eek!" and nearly went in the ditch. Apparently hubby neglected to mention it, and she was JUST far enough ahead to not hear our exchange. I'm always torn between the "If I call out I'll scare them" and "If I call out they'll know I'm there" choice. I think she'd have bobbled either way.

Personally, I've always thought that on a road/path that was always busy with bikers / runners/ etc, a person would always try to behave as though there were ALWAYS people passing them, and ALWAYS be prepared for them. Anything else would end in disaster. So it actually surprises me that this is a problem (not the problem of people shaving by too close - those people shouldn't be there). I'm sure this is just because I don't ride those places. I do remember taking our bikes to Mackinaw Island years ago, and being pissed off by all the oblivious bikers weaving all over the place, though, so I'm not sure why I thought that. I think that in a busy situation (or any, really) the thing is to hold your line, and behave predictably. If it's busy - expect people to be passing you. Look behind you before making any lateral maneuvers.

Maybe ski racing for the last 30+ years has taught me to be aware of what is going on around me. Sometimes I do races where there are different events or waves, and the fastest people who started behind me will be charging up fast, at some point. I do everything in my power to avoid impeding their progress (yeah - like I want to be the one who caused the lead pack to get shuffled!). One person could have a big impact on the outcome. So I try to check behind me at strategic places.

Just another point of view (probably invalid due to my level of experience with these situations). Ahhh - the rural life! I love it!

[owlice]

Well.... cars don't honk at one another when they pass.....


I was not commenting on the lack of audible warning with my "act like traffic" statement; please reread my previous post to put my traffic comment in context. Thanks.

If cyclists passing me give 3-4 feet of clearance, that's great, but most of these cyclists weren't. If they had, I'd have been able to move four inches over to avoid the upcoming manhole cover. But they didn't, I couldn't, and didn't get any warning, either.

These cyclists would be safer if they let me know they were passing me. So would I. THAT'S the bottom line.

This road is used by cyclists, walkers, skaters, runners, and strollers, and oh, yes, cars, too. It's not a training loop for cyclists.

I expect cars to give me a certain amount of space -- I can hear them coming easily. Bikes? Not so much; I'd still appreciate the space and if they aren't going to give me plenty of space -- and it's already been demonstrated that they are not -- they need to give warning. If they are six feet away, yeah, I can understand not giving a warning (and that's be okay), but if they are six inches away and are going to prevent me from maneuvering (and they are!), they need to give a warning. I don't care how spandex-clad they are, whether their helmets match their cycling shoes, whether they are with the "huge peloton speeding around and sprinting every lap," whether they are speedy grandmas in flowered dresses and straw hats (wouldn't that be a fun group to organize? :) ), whether they are on inline skates or whatever, I want a warning when they are passing within inches of me.

It's MY rant, dang it! (I did warn you it was, too! :D)

[Crankin]

Oak, are you correcting my grammar :)?

You get the point, though. It seems as if everyone has his or her own level of comfort with this stuff. DH does not call out as much as I do, when passing on the road, but on the path, he was scrupulous. My friend told me I was like a "riding drill instructor," the day we went on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. I think that was more because of the tone of my voice; I find if I use my "teacher voice" people tend to look up and listen.
It's been a lot of work for me to lose that voice when i am doing therapy sessions!

[OakLeaf]

Oak, are you correcting my grammar :)?

Not at all! :D

Just that spandex or not, we're not all yahoos. ;)

[lph]

In Norway there is no equivalent to "On your left!", and I have never heard anything called out to anyone. The only similar thing is "Hold right!" called out in races, and that's often considered a bit aggressive, a.k.a "stop weaving all over the place, you moron!" :rolleyes:

Personally on busy roads and paths I ride as if I'm about to be passed all the time by anyone, and I try to always pass other people with plenty of clearance. If they look like they're paying attention (holding a straight line, moving fast, checking their backs) I do pass closer than I do someone who seems oblivious or jumpy, but never as close as inches. If I have to squeeze by someone who's not paying attention I have to think of something to call out, at the moment it's, in a singsong voice, "I'm passing you, on the LEFT-hand side..."...

[artifactos]

I always announce "passing on your left" on the local bike trail, even if I know someone has seen me coming up on them. If I don't announce my presence pretty far back, some bikers (especially those with kids) will weave all over the path and not leave any room for me to pass. I've had a lot of people thank me for announcing my presence before passing, and only a few get startled/confused - no one has been offended yet! The people startled/confused are usually either kids or with kids who dart the wrong way or into the middle of the path, freaking mom or dad out a bit. That's why I announce where I am some distance behind them, so I have time to stop if necessary and they have time to figure out which way they're going. ;)

I have only been passed a couple times on the bike path, and I make sure to thank someone if they announce their intentions before flying by me.

On the road, I usually ride with my boyfriend, so we're usually chattering a lot and know exactly where the other is. Whomever is behind will announce "car/truck/motorcycle/etc." if a vehicle is passing, even if it's obvious that the person in front knows about it.

When we ride with the tri club, it seems like everyone is really quiet (maybe because we don't all know each other yet?). It bothers me a little - my boyfriend and I are usually the only ones I see making arm signals for turns/stops, and no one warns that they are right behind you or passing. When I'm coming up on someone in the group, I usually say "coming up behind you" or announce my intentions to pass. Since we're riding in a big group (that splits into smaller chunks based on pace), no one seems too jumpy about another rider unless they get passed closely with no warning. We do, however, have to speak to each other about the routes, since only a few people are familiar with them.

[loopybunny]

The only similar thing is "Hold right!" called out in races, and that's often considered a bit aggressive, a.k.a "stop weaving all over the place, you moron!"


I've wanted to use the "stop weaving all over the place, you moron!" statement before. Guy was literally weaving all the way across the bike path, on purprose. I yelled, but he had earbuds in and couldn't hear me.

Grrr!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sometimes I just holler "On your right!" as they go by. :p

I do that too. :D

Some of these bikers are so silent that I totally cannot hear them coming and sometimes they give me a heart attack zooming right past me by all of a sudden out of the blue on a country road. Sometimes it's after a long curve and I couldn't have seen them coming in my mirror anyway. I think it's both rude and a safety hazard.

[PamNY]

Owlice, I think this is a useful discussion even if there isn't general agreement. You should rant all you want, and hearing different opinions is educational.

The first time I biked on a rail trail, I didn't call out because the damn thing looked like an interstate highway to my Manhattan sensibilities. I thought "on your left" was a New York quirk because of narrow roads and crowding.

Speaking of "old roadies:" I do get annoyed at their antics, but they are the best at those two little words that mean so much: "You okay?"

[Eden]

Indeed you can't rant all you want, but that doesn't necessarily mean all comers will totally agree....

I don't think people should be buzzing you. That is just rude. But I also don't think that calling out to people on the road is something that you should do. I do think that it is akin to having cars beep as they pass. If you are passing on the road, pass with care, give plenty of space. If you are riding on a road ride assertively, but alertly and always look before you move. (even though most cars can be heard, there are certainly times that road noise, wind noise or very quiet cars can occur)

[kenyonchris]

Yeah, I will jump on the "I'm a clod" bandwagon. I am a clod. I don't yell ON YOUR LEFT (or right, or CAR! or SLOWING! Or whatever...) unless I think
a) I have insufficient room to pass without getting in another rider's space...and have no future hope of passing any other way, like on a crowded rally or whatever.
b) the rider ahead is holding SUCH a bad line that even giving that rider 3 feet of space is a risk to me
c) the riders around me are behaving inconsiderately of approaching or waiting cars and need to be reminded that we share the road, or some crazy driver nearly runs me off the road and the riders ahead should be warned that they might keep their heads up.

It irkes me to have a "yeller" in a group ride and if I am riding on my own, it startles me to have someone come up behind me and bay in my ear. I generally pay attention, and I hold my line so cars and other cyclists can pass me safely. I look before I move over. And, on more than one occasion, I have announced "on your left" only to have the rider look over and behind AT me, thus moving into me.

But that's just me.

Now, on a twisty two way singletrack on the mountain bike I whistle or ring a bell on a blind curve so that someone pelting his way toward me might be aware that we are about to crash head on into one another.

[marni]

since I rarely ever ride in group rides, and am usually riding solo I rarely call out unless it is to say hi to someone if I come up behind them, or is I am on a bike path and there are walkers sho are taking up the whole path.

I do however object to the hammerhead trains that whip by me close enough to blow my eyeglasses off without so much as a " hi there", or a polite ding a ling and would almost welcome a rude shout to being blown off the path by the speed train.

I dislike autos who lean on the horn, but don't mind a polite little two tap which says hi to me, or perhaps " I am a fellow rider."

marni

[mirliluck]

Yeah, I will jump on the "I'm a clod" bandwagon. I am a clod. I don't yell ON YOUR LEFT (or right, or CAR! or SLOWING! Or whatever...) unless I think
a) I have insufficient room to pass without getting in another rider's space...and have no future hope of passing any other way, like on a crowded rally or whatever.
b) the rider ahead is holding SUCH a bad line that even giving that rider 3 feet of space is a risk to me
c) the riders around me are behaving inconsiderately of approaching or waiting cars and need to be reminded that we share the road, or some crazy driver nearly runs me off the road and the riders ahead should be warned that they might keep their heads up.

It irkes me to have a "yeller" in a group ride and if I am riding on my own, it startles me to have someone come up behind me and bay in my ear. I generally pay attention, and I hold my line so cars and other cyclists can pass me safely. I look before I move over. And, on more than one occasion, I have announced "on your left" only to have the rider look over and behind AT me, thus moving into me.

But that's just me.

Now, on a twisty two way singletrack on the mountain bike I whistle or ring a bell on a blind curve so that someone pelting his way toward me might be aware that we are about to crash head on into one another.

I agree with all of this, except I object to being called a 'clod'. :D

I use my best judgement and will alert someone I am about to pass if the situation warrants it - especially a, b & and definitely the mtb trail. But if I have plenty of room to pass, or if someone has plenty of room to pass me, I don't feel an audible signal is necessary and it DOES startle and irk me when someone yells out, just like the car horn.

And if I don't say hi it is not because I am being rude or not 'acknowledging someone's existence'. I am just on my ride, in my zone, and just not very chatty during those times. *shrug*

[bmccasland]

On mixed use trails I tend to call out "on your left" to walkers/runners as I'm rolling down on them - unless I'm out of breath and going really slow, then they tend to hear me and look back :rolleyes:. But if they have ear-buds in I don't call out anything half the time.
For other riders, it depends on traffic. If I have plenty of room to pass, I may go by without saying anything. And if there's on coming traffic, well actually the levee path is narrow enough that I'm not into a game of chicken, so I hold back. Seems like a lot of the time I'm the passee not the passer when it comes to other cyclists on the levee path.

Kids - I yell to them no matter what because they're always all over the place. There were times I've had to call out "up the middle!" :eek:

On roads, I may be passing closer by, and then I do tend to call out. Again it depends on the road and the vehicular traffic load.

[TrekTheKaty]

I don't yell ON YOUR LEFT (or right, or CAR! or SLOWING! Or whatever...) unless I think
a) I have insufficient room to pass without getting in another rider's space...and have no future hope of passing any other way, like on a crowded rally or whatever.
b) the rider ahead is holding SUCH a bad line that even giving that rider 3 feet of space is a risk to me
c) the riders around me are behaving inconsiderately of approaching or waiting cars and need to be reminded that we share the road, or some crazy driver nearly runs me off the road and the riders ahead should be warned that they might keep their heads up.
.

I tried to stay out of this one. However, I have to agree with KenyonChris. On rail trails or MUPS, I try to say on your left to walkers/joggers or slower cyclists that seem new or unfamiliar. However, on organized rides, I would be out of breath if I had to say "On your left" every time. I try to be friendly, but there is a limit on a busy day. However, I've never experienced "roadies" that didn't announce themselves, so maybe I'm a "B"!

[carinapir]

If you are passing on the road, pass with care, give plenty of space. If you are riding on a road ride assertively, but alertly and always look before you move. (even though most cars can be heard, there are certainly times that road noise, wind noise or very quiet cars can occur)

I kind of disagree. I might end up whipping my head around every time I need to avoid a hazard in the road that the riders behind me, who I don't know are there, can't see. I would say that if you are giving plenty of space, then no call out is needed, but if you have to pass closely or there are a bunch of people behind you, then it is best to call out.

[moonfroggy]

people here usually don't call out and when they do i tend to jump from being startled. i don't call out unless i need to and i rarely pass anyone since i am on a heavy mountain bike that is to big for me and not a road bike and when i am off road it is rare for me to see anyone else.

[Eden]

I kind of disagree. I might end up whipping my head around every time I need to avoid a hazard in the road that the riders behind me, who I don't know are there, can't see. I would say that if you are giving plenty of space, then no call out is needed, but if you have to pass closely or there are a bunch of people behind you, then it is best to call out.

When I say look, I'm not particularly concerned about other cyclists..... rather cars.... If you are riding on the road and don't look before you move you risk being run over. It doesn't matter that cars are *supposed* to give you 3 feet, they don't always and while they are generally noisy you can't always rely on your ears alone. If you don't feel comfortable turning you head to look or can't do it without moving your bike around practice (or think about a mirror). It may save your life someday

[TxDoc]

Yep, I am a clod as well - been a clod for over 30 years I guess :)
I do not yell anything, and usually people yelling 'on your left', 'slowing', 'stopping' or whatever else, kind of bother me. I think it is just superfluous and annoying, and adds to the road noise which is already more than enough.

That I recall, in Italy where I grew up we did not call anything either - we just rode predictably and safely in a continuous paceline, and no one in the team was ever yelling a thing.

[ny biker]

Yep, I am a clod as well - been a clod for over 30 years I guess :)
I do not yell anything, and usually people yelling 'on your left', 'slowing', 'stopping' or whatever else, kind of bother me. I think it is just superfluous and annoying, and adds to the road noise which is already more than enough.

That I recall, in Italy where I grew up we did not call anything either - we just rode predictably and safely in a continuous paceline, and no one in the team was ever yelling a thing.

It's superfluous and annoying until it prevents an accident. And it's necessary because of the road noise -- I can't hear many cyclists when they are passing me. And the ones I can't hear are always the ones who are two inches to my left. Which means if I swerve we'll crash and get hurt.

You can't assume everyone will act predictably and safely.

[kenyonchris]

I agree with all of this, except I object to being called a 'clod'. :D

I

I, for one, am embracing my cloddish ways. :)

[aicabsolut]

It's superfluous and annoying until it prevents an accident. And it's necessary because of the road noise -- I can't hear many cyclists when they are passing me. And the ones I can't hear are always the ones who are two inches to my left. Which means if I swerve we'll crash and get hurt.

You can't assume everyone will act predictably and safely.

This thread still seems to be more about the safety re: buzzing than calling out. Still, at Hains on a crowded day, if I know I'm going to be swerving for a manhole or walker or roller-skier, I will look back before moving over to check for all kinds of traffic. Cars traveling at the low speeds they are supposed to be going on that loop are frequently as hard to hear as a cyclist in the wind.

[PamNY]

Forgot to mention that I say "on your left" to the mounted police because it seems to amuse them.

[channlluv]

On my favorite MUP ride (an 8-mile loop that I did twice today), I've discovered that it's most crowded in the first/last mile because of all the walkers who use the one-mile marker as their turnaround point. I end up going pretty slowly in that first mile, just to avoid people running and walking up the middle of the road (this, in spite of the many signs telling them to keep to the right). That and people with dogs on long leashes, and young children on scooters. I call out a lot in that stretch because of all the foot traffic -- they're often unpredictable, or walking three or four across and passing them would be hazardous.

I yell out "on your left" if the walkers ahead of me are in the middle of the road or heading into a leftward curve because they tend to cut inside to the left into my path. I know it's flatter in the middle of the road, and so easier to run and walk on. I know this because I used to walk this path a lot, and I would always walk in the middle, too, because it's flatter and my back would hurt if I walked to the right -- the incline of the road is not that steep, but after a few miles of the left leg walking a half inch higher than the right leg, it adds up, so I understand, but it still bugs me when I have to brake to avoid hitting an oncoming cyclist because there are walkers in the middle of the road. That's my passing lane, doggone it.

Tonight I called out to little kids on bikes, "Hold your line, baby!" and their moms smiled at me as I swung really wide of their children.

There was another little kid out there all by himself. I guess his parent was walking somewhere behind him, but the two times I encountered him, he was alone. And I'm talking about a seven- or eight-year-old boy on a little knobby-tired bike. The first time I came up on him, he was coming toward me and he was walking his bike. I slowed down and smiled at him. "Long ride, huh?" He smiled back at me and nodded. Later, I caught him again on my way back. He was back on his bike and I pulled up alongside him to check on him. He seemed okay, so I said, "You can do it. You're doing great. You've got about a quarter mile left to go." He smiled at me again. I have no idea where his parent was, though.

There was a three-year old who'd gotten loose from her mother, too. Mom was fifty yards behind her, carrying the scooter and calling ahead to her little girl to be careful as the little girl is running along. At least she was sort of on the right of the lane, but she was tiny and the sun was going down by then. I think the faster riders out there would have a hard time seeing her if they were coming around a curve -- she was shorter than the shrubbery along the side of the road. That's just so dangerous.

I wish the park had more safety patrols to enforce the "keep to the right" rule, and the "keep your dog on a short leash" rule, and especially the "this is not a playground so keep your kids in check" rule. Maybe a few reminders to the vehicles that come through, too, not to cut inside on curves because there are cyclists headed your way and they're often doing upwards of 15mph. (and occasionally, I'm one of them)

So yes, I call out if there is an obvious safety hazard in trying to pass the person in front of me, but otherwise, I just pass them as quickly as I can with as much space as is safe and practicable.

Roxy

[Skierchickie]

I, for one, am embracing my cloddish ways. :)

Me too!



You can't assume everyone will act predictably and safely.

Very true, but I think the OP was regarding the behavior of the person doing the passing. In that light, if the passer gives the passee plenty of space, then the passee should safely be able to turn her head to check for traffic prior to swerving to miss a pothole. I really would rather have the space than the call-out. Once you're on my back wheel, ready to squeak past me with no clearance, that is NOT the time I want you to yell in my ear! :eek: And if there are tons of people passing me, I definitely do not want EVERYONE yelling to me - just give me space. Calling out to me does not necessarily mean that you are acting "predictably and safely" - it is no replacement for leaving a safe distance.

Both riders have a responsibility to be 1) aware, 2) courteous, 3) predictable.

[kenyonchris]

Forgot to mention that I say "on your left" to the mounted police because it seems to amuse them.

LOL. I have never had anyone say, "On your left" to me when I am on mounted patrol. One would think that a large draft horse (what we use) with big steel drafty shoes with borium clopping behind them might alert them that I am coming, but it doesn't seem to, so I say, "excuse the horse, please. Coming through." A very large horse breathing down one's neck CAN be startling.

At a concert I was working a young guy without a shirt was walking TOWARDS me (on the horse). I saw him coming and said, "Sir?" No response. "Look out, sir." No response. He was talking to his friend and not watching where he was going. I tweeted my whistle and still nothing. Finally, he walked face first into the large chest of my patrol horse, nearly knocking him (the pedestrian) off his feet (my horse didn't even bat an eye, he's a big boy). This amused ME. He wasn't hurt, just surprised.

Point? People SHOULD be aware of others (people, horses, other bikes, whatever). Are they? No...and when they aren't, even an armed police officer with a whistle and a gigantic horse can make them.

[kfergos]

LOL. I have never had anyone say, "On your left" to me when I am on mounted patrol. One would think that a large draft horse (what we use) with big steel drafty shoes with borium clopping behind them might alert them that I am coming, but it doesn't seem to, so I say, "excuse the horse, please. Coming through." A very large horse breathing down one's neck CAN be startling.

At a concert I was working a young guy without a shirt was walking TOWARDS me (on the horse). I saw him coming and said, "Sir?" No response. "Look out, sir." No response. He was talking to his friend and not watching where he was going. I tweeted my whistle and still nothing. Finally, he walked face first into the large chest of my patrol horse, nearly knocking him (the pedestrian) off his feet (my horse didn't even bat an eye, he's a big boy). This amused ME. He wasn't hurt, just surprised.

Point? People SHOULD be aware of others (people, horses, other bikes, whatever). Are they? No...and when they aren't, even an armed police officer with a whistle and a gigantic horse can make them.What a great story! Thank you for sharing it with us -- I love the image of somebody walking head-first into a huge horse. Also a great reminder that you can't force people to pay attention to their surroundings no matter what you do.