First Week encounters, Mowers?!

I'm new. A friend suggested this forum and so far I LOVE it! Biking is a bit of a necessity to me. I'm out of a car since my transmission died last week and buses take longer than biking.

I just finished my first full work week getting to and from from work via bike (7 miles each way). I'm quite proud of myself given I stopped working out months ago. ;) I'm past the sore arse and the "dear gods kill me" mind frame going back to work. :D Now, I love it! I think my bike was one of the best investments yet.

Today was hands down the worst day though. I was nearly hit head on with a damn mower. I know it sounds cute at first, I keep imagining a small hand driven one running after me but it was one of larger ones from parks and rec that have an edger. I know from the boy driving them for parks and rec that they're so loud the drivers have to wear ear plugs. I saw him well ahead of he and was having lovely images of me being spaghetti so when I got near I shouted (we're still new to biking and trying to stock up on supplies so no giant horn, which is NOW on the list of MUST BUY) as loud as I could and went nearly into the grass on the other edge to get around. The moment I started, he turned around and had me slamming on my breaks. Had I not been watching I would have hit him. We both slammed on the breaks and nearly smashed into each other.

I screamed at him, shaken up, seeing my shins torn to shreds (I know now the blades are covered) and told him to watch when he was changing sides.

I'm honestly ready to write to my city about this. My path is used by cyclists, people on inline skates and individuals with dogs. None of us can slam on our breaks without faceplanting the sidewalk. This was also during peak hours. Why these things aren't outfitted with mirrors is beyond me.

Otherwise, I love my commute. It's miserable around 1, but it's far better than waiting on a bus. The Chandler bike path is awesome, minus the damn guys that drive the giant mowers.

How DOES one deal with mowers? When the noise is so loud the drivers wear ear plugs, how are cyclists meant to go around them safely? I'm still new so please forgive me if this is a silly question. :(

Someone on a motorcycle in my area was killed last week when a lawn tractor pulled right out in front of them.

Lawn tractors and ATVs are worse than cars, because even when they're on public roads (where they're not supposed to be, except in situations like yours where it's right-of-way maintenance), people drive them as though they were in their back yards.

DO write to your city. But acknowledge in your letter as well as in your head that the responsibility is shared. They have to mow the walks, and similar to snowplows on the roads, users of the surface have to take the maintenance vehicles into account.

Pay attention.

Give them a wide berth.

If they haven't acknowledged you, assume they haven't seen you, and just stop and walk your bike if you can't ride slowly enough until you're past them.


Glad you're enjoying your commute otherwise, and welcome to TE! :)

I agree that it's best to give mowers lots and lots of room. There's nothing wrong with riding on the grass! The ability to go off road or occasionally pop up on a sidewalk is, to me, one of the great advantages of riding a bike vs. driving a car in the city.

You can also simply stop for 15 seconds and let him move on. It won't make you late to work, I promise.

The lawn maintenance guy that you really want to watch out for is the guy with the leaf blower. I usually shield that side of my face with my hand, so the grit doesn't get in my eyes.

Give them whatever space they need.
It will slow you down, but an ER visit will cost you far more than a little time.

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Originally Posted by soprano

The lawn maintenance guy that you really want to watch out for is the guy with the leaf blower. I usually shield that side of my face with my hand, so the grit doesn't get in my eyes.

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I actually had a leaf blowing wielding cretin point the blower directly at me to blast me when I rode past on my bike (I was on the road). I kid you not. This guy worked for our neighbor's lawn service. After I "spoke" to his onsite supervisor (he saw the full fury of an Irish temper), they both got in their pickup truck and got the hell out of the neighborhood.

That is a good story you'll be telling for years to come. I slow down and even stop if a mower is nearby, until I consider the way to be clear. Usually they are very considerate, and might even stop until I'm passed so as not to blow grass at me. No one has ever aimed a blower at me, how dreadful! I'm glad you gave them what for!