What ever happened to "on your left"

[Sky King]

Just a short vent and plea for awareness to anyone who rides in an area - path, road, trail, etc that is also frequented by walkers and runners.

I was in Yakima, Wa this weekend and left the bike at home. Found the bike/walking path along the river and enjoyed a nice brisk walk. A bit noisy as large sections are close to the freeway but still better than working out in the hotel weight room.

I came very close to being taken out by a woman on a bike - how ironic would have that been! Anyway I was walking along, stepped to my left to avoid a trial hazard just as this rider (who I couldn't hear approaching) was zipping past me, So close my shirt blew with her wind - so not passing slowly, nor making an effort to move as far to left as she could. Scared the crap out of me!

AS WE ALL KNOW, a simple "on your left" far enough back not to startle me but close enough for me to hear would have been grand. Also I advise moving as far to left as you possibly can when passing a walker,runner or fellow bike rider so that if they should take a drift to the left you are still clear of them. As a walker, I also reminded myself to look over my shoulder. I guess I could wear my helmet and attach my mirror.:rolleyes:

Very happy to not have experienced a collision and much reminded to practice what I preach.

Happy & Safe Riding to all

[Biciclista]

Hi Sky King

Everyone is not on the same page! A lot of us are very careful and try to let people know we are there, but if you pass 100 people, you might forget 3 or 4 times. Also, as a cyclist, i find that more and more people on foot have earbuds on so it gets very frustrating when no one will move because they can't hear me!

from what you are saying i am guessing you had both of your ears working for you, so back to the rider. Might be a clueless person, might be a distracted person. Hard to say but i am glad you are ok..

[Savra]

I had someone ride up behind me and say "coming up on your side." Freaked me out I didn't know WHAT side. I got the impression she may have been a relative newbie though once she passed. Maybe the person who passed you didn't know any better. Would love to find a nice way to teach people such things.

[Roadtrip]

"like"

Glad your were not hurt. I always give a little alert before passing and get over as far as I can while making the pass... I always slow down if I feel I can't pass safely. I've had close calls in the past. A little courtesy goes a LONG way!!!

Shannon

[Tri Girl]

I gave up saying "on your left" at the lake where I most often ride. I'm not a jerk, it just got old saying it dozens of times only to never be heard because they're listening to an ipod. I just go as far around as is safe for me and call it good. I did have a runner turn around without looking on the path about 4 feet in front of me as I was barreling towards him. Scared the diddly-doo out of both of us!
glad you're OK!

[Sky King]

Oh so right on the ipod, etc. My sister was with me and she was running (my knees don't run) and she was all wired in. I tend to like to hear what is going on around me so don't wear one.

There probably isn't an answer, I know even a bell gets old and you get sore thumbs if in a highly congested area.

I certainly learned a lesson as a walker though to never assume no one is behind you when making a move to the right or the left!

[luv2climb]

This is debated often on BikeForums. People have said that sometimes the person you are overtaking only hears the word "left" and swerves right in to your path. :eek: For that reason I always use my bell. Works just fine if the person actually hears it.

[Cataboo]

Half the time when I say on your left, the pedestrian wanders to the left.

I just avoid multiuse trails, I find them a pain in the neck. But I did one last month with 4 other cyclists. The other 3 cyclists had bells, I was saying on your left till my throat was store. I was *****ed at by one walker for not letting him I know I was there - there were 6-8 walkers in a cluster on the right half of the trail, it was a short steep hill & tight turn, so we had 4 cyclists ringing bells and saying on your left and shifting gears quickly before getting up to the couple walking/jogging up front who yelled at me for not telling him I was there when I was passing. I know the 2 bikes in front of me rang their bells, I know I said on your left a couple of times as I approached the cluster. I know the guy behind me was rang his bell, and I know we all made clunky gear shifting noises.

Sometimes pedestrians just have to listen to what is going on around them as well.

[luv2climb]

Sometimes pedestrians just have to listen to what is going on around them as well.
+1000! I get sick and tired of oblivious pedestrians. They make me wish I had a big-rig horn like the one in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure". :D

[Reesha]

Bike bell, bike bell! I have an 'I love my bike' bell on my mountain bike because hikers share the trails around here :D Too bad I don't ride it all that much.

I was riding with one of my students saturday and he was really dorky about saying "slowing!" "stopping!" "hole!" and doing the hand signals etc etc and I was so proud!

[TsPoet]

As a common user of a MUT in the tricities (very near Yakima), I have learned to NEVER say "on your left". Even the cyclists using the multi use path don't know what that means. I just say "good morning/afternoon/evening". That works fairly well. I also slow down and watch.
So, I fully agree, something should have been said, but "on your left" is dangerous in that crowd, they just don't know what it means.
I was riding home from work with 3 guys that work on my floor just last week, and I told what I thought was a funny story about the final time I used "On your left" and these 3 guys, who have been commuting on this trail for the last 3 years - not one of them knew what "on your left" meant! I told them it was common cycling courtesy and all 3 of them - pure commuters - thought I was nuts.

[goldfinch]

I can't hear bike bells. Old hearing? Too much rock and roll? I read that instead of saying "on your left" to say "passing" as it may be less likely to cause the pedestrian to move the left.

[Owlie]

As polite as this city tends to be, I've had a number of close calls from the guys on tri bikes.:rolleyes:
For pedestrians, I move left and yell "behind you!" Of course, I don't always yell, especially if I can a) pass them safely in the other lane of the trail and b) they appear to be plugged in to an iPod.* If I can't pass safely, I just slow down or stop and let the other lane clear out before I do anything. My ride today was full of dodging little kids on and off bikes, so I did a lot of that today.

If I'm not totally breathless, I whistle while riding, especially around trail access points. Gives me a non-iPod soundtrack, and lets other people know I'm there.

*I don't care if you run or walk with an iPod. I do it myself. Just turn it down so you can hear both the music and what's going on around you!

[Velocivixen]

Glad to hear that you're alright. I have a region MUP right behind my house that I often use. As a new cyclist trying to do the correct thing I would call out, "On your left" and folks tend to move to the left. After reading a post on here regarding this topic, I either ring my loud bell or say, "Hello" or "I'm behind you" and I slow down. Our parks actually have a bike speed limit, but nobody is aware of it.

[Bethany1]

It's hard when someone has headphones in. The couple of times I have had to go by a pedestrian I slow down and very cheerfully say, "I'm coming up behind you on my bike and I just didn't want to scare you". Once by, I say "Thanks!" and keep going.

I wasn't sure how to handle the guy with the iPod though.

[andtckrtoo]

Okay, I would never, ever do this, but I'm chuckling at the image of riding with one of the boat horns used on sailboats. Those things are LOUD! (have to be - walkers with iphones have nothing on speed boats with drinkers and loud music aboard). I wonder how many other trail users I'd have to pry out of tree branches. :p

[TsPoet]

Okay, I would never, ever do this, but I'm chuckling at the image of riding with one of the boat horns used on sailboats. Those things are LOUD! (have to be - walkers with iphones have nothing on speed boats with drinkers and loud music aboard). I wonder how many other trail users I'd have to pry out of tree branches. :p

you might not, but lots of people do, this sucker is ***loud*** I know lots of recumbent riders who use them.
http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Airzound-Bike-Horn/dp/B000ACAMJC

[emily_in_nc]

I have an Air Zound on my bike but would never use it on a ped, unless it were a matter of life or death. I save it for dogs (rarely) and crazy drivers (don't use it as often as I should!)

I was riding on a MUT yesterday and started getting close to a woman walking her dog. She had NO idea I was coming up behind her. She was on the left of the MUT, dog was on the right, sniffing the grass. They were meandering along slowly. I was ever-so-slightly annoyed initially, hoping she'd get over before I had to tell her I was there, but decided that being very nice was by far the best approach. So, as I got closer to her, I said in a friendly voice "Hello! Bike coming up behind." She looked, moved right, flashed a huge smile, and said "thanks for the warning!" in a friendly way. I passed, saying "Thanks! Have a great day!"; she replied "You too!" It ended on a very upbeat note that left me in good spirits. Sometimes, I just have to remember to slow down and take a different attitude towards the encounter. By handling it in a positive manner, sure, I lost some speed, but I also lost my annoyance and came out of it feeling all warm and fuzzy. :D

I also like to think that I left a positive "cyclist experience" on the woman, who had probably had some that were less so (haven't we all, as pedestrians?)

Totally agree on the iPod peds, though. Very frustrating! It's not even worth trying to be nice as they normally can't hear you anyway. :(

[Velocivixen]

Emily, exactly. Although I sometimes get peeved at dog walkers, stroller pushers, folks not attending to their toddlers, etc., etc. I always smile or at least have a "smile in my voice" so I will have left them with a positive experience with a biker. I have also noticed that when I'm a pedestrian I am much more aware of how I'm moving/walking in regard to potential cyclists coming up behind me. I think it's important to be a good steward.

[jessmarimba]

I came upon a group of elderly people meandering down a trail once when I was mountain biking, walking 2-3 abreast and looking at the ground. Fortunately I was "pootling" along myself, as we say, and the route was fairly flat. I slowed to a crawl, and politely asked "May I pass on your left, please?" I couldn't imagine being any less polite with that group. Fortunately for them the trail had a pretty good line of sight, or they would've risked being obliterated by someone.

The people who walk in the bike lane on their cell phones on my commute home? Yeah...I pretty much buzz them. If you're going to walk IN THE ROAD please leave the phone in your pocket.

[beccaB]

I like to bike in a nearby lake resort community. Those all used to be summer vacation homes for Detroit folks but now they're mostly inhabited year round. I'm surprised by the number of people who meander out in the road right in front of us. My husband will do his loud whistle or sometimes we have to swerve to avoid them. The ironic part is you can go 25 easy because it's sort of a wind tunnel because of lake winds. The speed limit is 25. I've broken it a few times when people aren't meandering about aimlessly.

[Brina]

This may be an unpopular opinion here, but I don't feel that hard core cyclists/triathletes belong on MUT at peak recreational hours. I ride on our local trails early in the morning and there are mainly serious cyclists riding at that hour. You get to 10-11 o'clock on a nice Saturday and the pedestrians are out, families cycling with little kids, etc, I don't think we should be on the trails riding 15+ mph.

[TsPoet]

This may be an unpopular opinion here, but I don't feel that hard core cyclists/triathletes belong on MUT at peak recreational hours. I ride on our local trails early in the morning and there are mainly serious cyclists riding at that hour. You get to 10-11 o'clock on a nice Saturday and the pedestrians are out, families cycling with little kids, etc, I don't think we should be on the trails riding 15+ mph.

Many MUTs have posted 15 mph signs. I think even if not posted, 15 mph is implied. So, I at least agree with you.
I'm not sure, based on reading this thread, that anyone is disagreeing with you. Even at 10 mph, bikes are still faster than walkers.

(There's a guy that rollerblades on our MUT, he takes up the whole thing and he moves fast. But, he's very nice about it. On my commute home from work, he often tucks in behind me and goes whatever speed I am going. Not sure why, we only say "hi" to each other despite the fact that he likes to "draft" me. But, that's another example of an oddity on a MUT that just has to get along!)

[Crankin]

I agree, too. We don't have a lot of MUPs here (3), but the only times I have been on them has been in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week when i am just going out for coffee, or on a cloudy-cold Sunday, when I thought there wouldn't be a lot of people. Both times there were fast riders, commuters, runners, strollers, dogs, kids. Even going slowly, I felt like I had to be on my guard so much, it's not very enjoyable. Especially, the Minuteman; it really is like a commuting road for bikes, and just like in all other forms of transportation, the closer you get to the city the more azzhole type riding you see.

[Cataboo]

I agree - I find it miserable biking on a MUP. I will do it on a weekday when everyone's at work. There is no way I would go near one on a weekend.

[kfergos]

This may be an unpopular opinion here, but I don't feel that hard core cyclists/triathletes belong on MUT at peak recreational hours. I ride on our local trails early in the morning and there are mainly serious cyclists riding at that hour. You get to 10-11 o'clock on a nice Saturday and the pedestrians are out, families cycling with little kids, etc, I don't think we should be on the trails riding 15+ mph.I have to agree. I use 'em for commuting, when I'm riding slowly by myself. But when I'm riding fast, or in a group, or both, multi-use trails aren't the place to be. They're dangerous for the bicyclist and the other users. Give me the road, where I can predict the other users' behavior.

I have a bell on my commuter bike, which I think may work better for people with earbuds. I know that for many people exercise is boring, and they need the distraction of music for motivation, but it's so dangerous to tune out the sounds of traffic (whatever kind of vehicle that may be)! I don't like to startle walkers, and I always try to pass as far to the left as possible, and I try to use my bell or call "coming up behind you" if it looks like "passing on your left" might be confusing; yet ultimately nothing is foolproof except avoiding trails altogether, which is a sad conclusion.

[TsPoet]

I have to agree. I use 'em for commuting, when I'm riding slowly by myself. But when I'm riding fast, or in a group, or both, multi-use trails aren't the place to be. They're dangerous for the bicyclist and the other users. Give me the road, where I can predict the other users' behavior.


This reminded me of something I hate about them - I can't tell you how many arguments I've been in from people at work telling me I don't belong on the road because there's a MUT 0.5 mile away - get off the road!
I've tried to explain to them that I don't belong there, I belong on the road.
We can't win. I love the MUT, but it isn't always the right place to be.

[Owlie]

Our MUP/bike trail is long, straight line, and mostly in the middle of nowhere. Now that school's out, trail access points (esp. the one with restaurants and cafes nearby) are insanely busy any time other than early in the morning, but once you're outside of those (maybe a mile), you and other cyclists mostly have it to yourselves.

For the most part, people are pretty good about keeping out of each other's way and corralling the kids and/or dogs when necessary. Our trail has a 20mph speed limit, and it's referred to as "the bike trail", so I guess people assume cyclists are its primary users. (It also helps that this is a pretty polite city.)

[Tri Girl]

This may be an unpopular opinion here, but I don't feel that hard core cyclists/triathletes belong on MUT at peak recreational hours.


I totally agree!!!
Often after work is the only time I can ride and the lake and the MUT is the best option, with riding on roads being too dangerous at rush hour time. Sometimes it's my only option and I'll usually try to avoid the most heavily trafficked part of the trail.
But yeah, in general, fasties should avoid the trails during peak times- for their safety and the safety of others!!!

[pll]

I totally agree!!!
Often after work is the only time I can ride and the lake and the MUT is the best option, with riding on roads being too dangerous at rush hour time. Sometimes it's my only option and I'll usually try to avoid the most heavily trafficked part of the trail.
But yeah, in general, fasties should avoid the trails during peak times- for their safety and the safety of others!!!

+1

This thread reminded me of the pro wannabes in 'Bike the Drive' here in Chicago. In the last one, I was very annoyed (I was not the target) by a trio of Milram-clad beer bellies on expensive bikes yelling "MOVE!!" to anyone and anything in front of them.

I bike for a couple of miles on a bike path and during my last ride, I encountered a group of aggressive guys speeding in the path and yelling at people. I passed them after a couple of them had crashed to avoid another group coming in the opposite direction. Karma?

[Sky King]

So with my increased awareness, Last evening I purposely rode over to our MUP path -known as the greenbelt. I made it about two miles before hopping off and getting back on the street. It was "rush hour" and between other cyclist riding way to fast for the congestion (IMO) and many walkers and families on bikes I was totally stressed out :)
I found myself not calling out on your left (heeding the advice of many of you) but instead just slowing way down and moving as far left as possible and saying hello or good evening, instead - thus with the congestion most areas I would have been faster as a walker.
So I concur, whenever possible, MUP riding is for laid back noodle riding. If I needed, I would certainly use for a commute ride and just recognize I shouldn't plan on getting anywhere fast and I will certainly not plan a weekend ride at a quick pace. Meanwhile when I do come upon slower walkers or riders out and about I promise to do my best to make myself known.

[emily_in_nc]

So I concur, whenever possible, MUP riding is for laid back noodle riding. If I needed, I would certainly use for a commute ride and just recognize I shouldn't plan on getting anywhere fast and I will certainly not plan a weekend ride at a quick pace. Meanwhile when I do come upon slower walkers or riders out and about I promise to do my best to make myself known.

Yep, we use them only to help us avoid high-speed, highly traffic'd roads; i.e., for short distances between our road segments, not for our entire ride. We just plan on going slower on them and dealing with joggers, dog walkers, etc. Occasionally we can see far ahead that NO one is coming, and we'll cut loose, but normally we just "noodle" along. :D