calling out when you're passing

[Brandy]

You'll have to forgive me. I didn't have Tiff with me on my ride this morning so I had a lot more time to think about stupid things like this.

Do you say the same thing everytime that you pass someone? What kind of voice do you use?

Sometimes when I call out I think that I sound snotty, even if I don't intend to. Other times I yell it out and I think it scares people. I also have the irritated "why do you need to walk three abreast taking up the entire path " call!

This morning I rode the beach path and I was wishing for a button with a recorded "on your left" message so I wouldn't have to call out every 30 seconds.

[farrellcollie]

I quit saying "on your left" or "right" because invariably - the person or people would turn that way into me or just stop - now I call out well in advance- in what I hope is a friendly voice - "Coming up behind you" and give them time to turn around, look and move out of the way. I have more of a problem when walking dogs and bicyclist does not call out or zips by me startling me and dogs (startled dogs can run into bike or decide to snap)

Also - when on my folder - I like to ding the bell - but again - more people stop or just turn than move out of the way.

[Trekhawk]

Hmm I think it depends on the person Im going to pass. If they are older and look like they might get a fright I try to call out good morning or something from a bit of a distance and then say hello as I pass. Sometimes I use on your left and sometimes I use the term heads up. This seems to work well with non riders who dont seem to know what on your left means (sometimes they move to the left - yikes ).

[7rider]

You'll have to forgive me. I didn't have Tiff with me on my ride this morning so I had a lot more time to think about stupid things like this.

Do you say the same thing everytime that you pass someone? What kind of voice do you use?

Sometimes when I call out I think that I sound snotty, even if I don't intend to. Other times I yell it out and I think it scares people. I also have the irritated "why do you need to walk three abreast taking up the entire path " call!

This morning I rode the beach path and I was wishing for a button with a recorded "on your left" message so I wouldn't have to call out every 30 seconds.

I try to avoid MUTs for that very reason (passing on a group ride is more rare for me!). But when I can't or when I'm on the sidewalk close to my office, where the bus depot is, I usually call out "Hi. Passing on your left" or "Heads up. I'm on your left" I might even throw in an "Excuse me" every so often. It's more to keep me from getting bored with "on your left" because I do feel that I start to bellow it and sound rather grouchy. Sometimes, tho', that's okay, too! Generally, I try to be cheerful about it as I'd like to view myself as an ambassador for cyclists. Spread the good will, eh?

Regina

[mimitabby]

my stepfather, a feeble 75 year old, was walking on the green river trail a couple months ago. He got hit by a bike. We believe the biker yelled "on your left" so Henry moved TO THE LEFT! (he says it was the other way around) but even when people hear you, expect the unexpected. He wasn't seriously hurt btw.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Whether you say on the left, right, up, down, or Mars, please say something - anything!

The other day I was riding up a hill and had slowed a bit to reach for my water bottle. Some yahoo, blew past me on the right, saying nothing - mind you there was maybe 2 feet between me and the sidewalk where I was riding. No warning, nothing.

I find that totally irresponsible and dangerous as all it would have taken was me moving a few inches to the right and bam, crash because of some moron.

[Nokomis]

Group ride or coming up on a cyclist who apparently knows how to ride: "On your left" ...or if I'm part of a group passing, I'll add how many of us there are, or if I was the last one. People seem to appreciate that.

If I'm coming up on a Dorkus Oblivius swerving all over the road, a young kid on a path, or someone with wires dangling out of their ears: I'll whistle well in advance, or shout "Oy!" -- seems to grab their attention far better than 'passing on your ___'

If I pass someone with earbuds who didn't hear any of the above - I'll get Quite Vocal as I pass & their eyes get hugs.

[mary9761]

I nearly always say I'm passing on your left, you have plenty of room. Then I'll often follow with hello, good morning etc and smile. Most of the time I get a thanks and I follow with, "I don't like bikes to blow past me without warning either". Sometimes if there are other riders coming behind me that I can see in my rear view, I may warn them that other bikes are coming as well.
I really HATE the rider that flies by as I'm warning someone that I'M passing without letting me know they are there and blowing past BOTH of us like a maniac. I've nearly wrecked MANY times because of that. The rear view mirror mounted on my helmet helps, but I don't always see everyone when they're coming.

[CorsairMac]

I always say "rider on your ?????" that way the person has an idea of the size of the person passing them. and I had to put ??? coz lately it seems walkers have been walking on the left side of the path so I have to pass them on the right. If I'm riding with someone I always say riders of your ??? so they know there's more than 1 of us coming.

But I"m with ya CC - I had some guy blow past me the other day without saying a word, scared the bejesus outta me. Lately I've started chewing em out saying "next time say something please".

[Fredwina]

I usually do the "on you left" followed by "hello" with cyclists. with other folks, I'll try and get their attention and play it by ear and eye.
I never have quite figuered out the "blow by you with 2 inches to spare" routine. I cases where I think it's unsafe to pass, I'll ease up and pass later on. It's like passing someone when driving a car.

[SadieKate]

Dorkus Oblivius

Ha! I'm going to steal this for my unheard conversations that I have with them.

If I pass someone with earbuds who didn't hear any of the above - I'll get Quite Vocal as I pass & their eyes get hugs.

The two of us should probably not be allowed to ride together. Team Danger would have to be bailed out of the local pokey.

[Trekhawk]

If I'm coming up on a Dorkus Oblivius swerving all over the road, .

LOL - thanks for the laugh. I will keep my eye out for that species next time I ride.

[hibiscus09]

I always say, "Passing on your left," and I do sound authoritative, but it just kind of comes out that way. When passing, I always say "thank you" and sometimes add a "good morning" and smile.

My hubby doesn't say anything and I've watched people jump, seen him almost take out a jogger who decided to cross in front of him without looking, etc. I just holler from behind him that we're passing on the left. I guess I need to lead.

[Denise223]

Originally posted by BrandyI also have the irritated "why do you need to walk three abreast taking up the entire path " call!

I cannot understand why people feel the need to do that -- not only walkers, but cyclists as well?? Then there's the "Hans Brinker" rollerblader types who are coming right at you!!?? <<--that's happened twice (on a bikeway).

After spending 3 summers riding around in parking lots (because I was extremely afraid of traffic, trucks, etc...), and spending a handful of times at a bikeway close to home, I find I'm a lot more comfortable (and feel more safe), on the road . (I NEVER, ever thought that that would happen).

I won't ride my bike in city traffic, yet......so, we put our bikes on our car rack & head 4 miles out.

I prefer hearing & saying, "On your ............."

Have a great day everyone!

Denise

[RoadRaven]

When riding with others - a mini-pelaton - I call (like the others do) "CAR BACK!" when there is a car coming up behind.

So on a cycle-path, having tried various things including "onyerleft/right" I find "BIKE BEHIND" to get the best response.

Alot of walkers don't have bikes in their heads as they saunter along and "onyerleft/right type calls just seemed to have them looking around wondering why someone was calling out.

"BIKE BEHIND!" has them (almost always step to the side of the path and then look around...